Ellie Smith

Ellie Smith

Photo: 104.9 The Fox – Jonesboro, AR


7pm – Midnight on 104.9 The Fox

BIRTHDAY: October 5

FAMILY: I am married to my best friend Nick Smith, and we have been married for 1 year but have been together since 2017. We met during our freshman year of college and have been inseparable ever since. We have a chocolate labradoodle named Remington who is 3, and the light of our lives, and we look forward to starting a family in the next few years! You might also recognize my dad, Trey Stafford, who is the reason I am now doing this today!

MY RADIO HISTORY: Well, I just started! The only radio history I have is studying my dad and all of the on-air talent of the Jonesboro Radio Group since I was a little girl. I used to love getting up with my dad, going through the McDonald’s drive-thru and getting a Cinna-Melt & an Orange Juice, and laying on the couch outside of the Fox Hole and listening to him do his show in the morning! I interned under Christie Matthews in sales in 2019 while I was in college, and I worked there for almost 2 years as the Digital Product Specialist, before deciding to pursue my love of coaching dance at Arkansas State as well as doing social media for A-State and local businesses here in Northeast Arkansas. Before I could get out of the door on my last day, I was presented with the opportunity to do my own show on 104.9 The Fox, and I couldn’t say yes fast enough! I am so excited for this opportunity and to expand my radio history even more!

FAVORITE MUSIC: Anything country or pop! My favorite artist of all time is George Strait, who I’ve gotten to see TWICE! My second favorite is Chris Stapleton, who Nick and I have seen 4 times, and one of those times was WITH George!!! It was incredible!!! However, from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas night, all I listen to is Christmas music!

MOVIES: The Proposal & The Parent Trap are two classics I could watch any time, any day!

TELEVISION: I’ve been on a Shark Tank kick lately, but typically I’m a reality TV girl! I know, it’s awful!! I have danced since I was 2, so Dance Moms is always a good classic to reminisce on, but I’m also a huge Bachelor and Bachelorette fan!

ADDICTION: I would probably say my dog, Remi. I treat him like our first-born child, always worrying about him, wanting to entertain him or include him on our trips and adventures. If we go to Andy’s, I do not go without him so he can get a puppy cone! I don’t know what he’s going to do when we actually have a child… I really think he has only child syndrome!

HOBBY: I love to cook, and surprisingly I love to cook for people! When I’m at events or gatherings, oddly enough, I hate sitting down. I feel like I need to be doing something, so I usually try to take on the role of cooking so I can talk with everyone but stay busy at the same time! I know… it’s weird! But I love to cook and bake, I sometimes am scared or hesitant to try new recipes, but you never know until you try! If it doesn’t work, never do it again, and if it does, add it to the list of meals to rotate!

CHARITIES AFFILIATED WITH:  I have been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since I was 6 years old, all thanks to the Jonesboro Radio Group. One of the days I went to work with my dad in the morning as a little girl was the day of the Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon, and it opened my eyes to the opportunity to give back through such an incredible organization. From that day on, I have fundraised at my elementary, junior high, and high schools, raised thousands of dollars through baking strawberry pies with my Papaw’s recipe, and volunteering and advocating for the organization through my time in the Miss America Organization.

FAVE APPS: As a social media manager, I spend 100% of my time on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Honestly, if I had to choose between the 3, I would easily say TikTok. That app makes me laugh, makes me smile, makes me cry, and has taught me a lot of great life hacks and recipes too!

MEMORABLE ON AIR MOMENT: Well, since I just started, I would say my first night! I got to spend it with Mitch Mahan who showed me the ropes, and I was SO nervous! I had never even touched the computer screen before that is in the Fox Hole, let alone do my own show! He was so encouraging and supportive, however, and made me feel so much more confident in myself that this is exactly where I was meant to be. I am so excited to learn so much and to be able to look back on that first night years from now and be proud of how much I’ve grown!

COOLEST CELEBRITIES I’VE MET: My favorite celebrity I have ever met was Alison Krauss when I was a little girl. I played the violin from the time I was 4 or 5 until the time I graduated high school. I went to Alison’s concert at a very young age and sat in the front row with my violin in hand, hoping she would sign it. We had no backstage passes, we were just hopeful that she would notice me! Sure enough, after I fell asleep in the middle of the concert, one of her stage hands invited us back to meet her after the concert. She signed my violin, and it still sits on the piano at my parents’ home to this day. It was an incredible moment!

FAVE DRINK: Orange Juice is my favorite drink of all time. If I’m getting Shadrach’s, it’s a “St. Shaddy” Rad Shaddy (the March edition of their Rad Shaddy is unmatched and I still order it every other time of the year) or a Hot Chocolate, because I don’t drink coffee. And if it’s a night out, I am a Margarita connoisseur!

FAVE RESTAURANTS: Sumo is the G.O.A.T. and you won’t convince me otherwise! When I’m on a budget, however – Papitos or Texas Roadhouse (Nick and I split the Bone-In Ribeye and the sides)!

PET PEEVE: Honestly, when people burp out loud! That grosses me out so much. And after being together for 7 years, my husband still forgets that, lol!

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN: On my last day as the Digital Product Specialist, my co-worker, Lynn Stillwell, got me a card. In the card, she wrote, “Your Job is What You Do, but Your Family is Who You Are.” In a stage of life where I’m still figuring out what I’m being called to do, it can become very overwhelming to the point where I catch myself prioritizing my work over my personal time with my family. At the end of the day, however, family should always be the priority because it is what fills you with joy and love the most. I am so incredibly thankful for Nick who has supported me through this crazy journey, and Lynn provided a great reminder that my family will always be who I am, not what I do for work.

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