V-103 changes: Frank Ski’s return, Big Tigger’s new female co-host
Atlanta radio station V-103 announced several changes this week, including a new co-host for Big Tigger’s morning show, the return for a third time of former morning host Frank Ski and a replacement for Lil Bankhead at night.
The shifts go into effect May 11.
V-103 has been a powerful force in Atlanta radio for decades. During the most recent March Nielsen ratings, V-103 was No. 1 among 25-to-54-year-olds and No. 4 overall. The morning show was top five among all listeners and the 25-to-54-year-old demo.
Its longevity plays behind the scenes as well: Rick Caffey has been overseeing the station since 1994, while program director Reggie Rouse has been at the helm since 2005.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke to each host about their new roles:
Francesca Amiker
Hometown: Metro Atlanta. Born at Crawford Long Hospital, she grew up in Decatur and graduated from Chamblee High School.
Residence: Midtown
Age: 35
Marital status: Single
New job: Co-host of “The Big Tigger Morning Show,” replacing Jazzy McBee, co-host with Tigger for the past two years. (Tigger, afternoon host at V-103 from 2013 to 2020, has had other co-hosts as well: Tyler Chronicles and Christina “Ms. Basketball” Granville in 2021, and actress Ms. Pat and “Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast member Shamea Morton from 2022 to 2024.)
Recent jobs: Emmy-winning 11Alive reporter from 2017 to 2011, where she carved out a niche covering local TV and film via her “The A Scene” segments. She left for E News and got to interview everyone from Rihanna to Tom Cruise. But E News folded last fall. She has since been doing spot acting jobs, including Paramount+’s “Dexter: Resurrection,” usually playing a reporter.
How she got the gig: She’s known Rouse and Big Tigger for many years. This will be her first radio job where she’ll get to step out of her journalistic role and become an on-air personality.
Her reaction to being part of V-103: “I’m thrilled. I was born and raised in Atlanta. I listened to Frank Ski. I listened to Greg Street. I now get a chance to put my own sauce on it and be part of this legacy.”
Her personality: “My energy will always be at 10. At 6 a.m. every day, I’ll be ready to trend!”
Her hopes for the show: “Big Tigger and I have this organic chemistry. We also have opposing views on a lot of things. I want us to have elevated conversations. I want to bring that into the community. I also want this to be a one-stop shop for the latest in business, education and entertainment. Atlanta is at the intersection of culture and influence. I want Atlanta to feel even more connected. I want this to sound like a podcast where people feel this is their show.”
Frank Ski
Residence: Buckhead
Age: 61
Marital status: Married
New job: Sunday host on V-103, noon to 4 p.m. He will also provide short commentaries and politician interviews during the week called “Frankly Speaking”. He will be heavily embedded on V-103’s social media platforms and plans to do a podcast. On his show, he will do his long-running segment “The Inspirational Vitamin,” his faith-based motivational message he is turning into a book.
Former Atlanta jobs: Ski, who grew up in Miami and broke into radio in Baltimore, came to Atlanta in 1998 as a new morning host and became a ratings juggernaut with Wanda Smith for the next 14 years. He left in 2012 to pursue syndication, but came back in 2016 and hosted mornings from 2018 to 2020 while juggling a radio gig in D.C. He left V-103 again over a salary dispute, landing at rival Kiss 104.1 as a morning host until 2024. He has been doing a syndicated radio show ever since in 15 smaller markets.
Why return to V: “There’s no better place for the brands I have to be back at V-103. Rick and Reggie understand star power. They understand the brand. They need big names like Tigger and Greg Street. I fit right in there. It’s a perfect fit.”
The power of radio: “Some feel radio may not be as relevant as it used to be, but it’s still the desired choice for the community when it comes to getting information and being on top of the culture and everything that’s happening.”
Still DJing: “I’m still working the clubs like it’s 2000. I did five parties last week. Being a club DJ is part of my DNA. It helps me keep my ear on the street. But I don’t DJ until 2 a.m. anymore. I’m usually done by midnight. My recovery time is longer.”
Rivals no more: “Me and (Majic afternoon host) Ryan Cameron are now very close friends. We used to compete like dogs. I talked to Ryan yesterday and asked him advice. I think as you grow and mature, even though we’re different, we’re in this together.”
DJ Sturgess
Grew up: Clayton County (Morrow High School, Clayton State University graduate)
Residence: Clayton County
Age: 38
New job: Night host 7-10 p.m., replacing Lil Bankhead, who cited a “budget cut” on his Instagram despite strong ratings.
Former Atlanta job: He has been with V-103 since landing an internship while in college in 2013. He has produced shows for Big Tigger, Kenny Burns, then Greg Street. He has had an overnight show at V-103 and has been a regular fill-in.
On Frank Ski: “He’s a true testament of resilience and longevity. He’s someone I aspire to be. He keeps reinventing himself, and he always sparks conversation.”
What he learned from Street: “Be willing to pivot and do what it takes to win. He showed me that it’s not just interviewing big-name artists. He learned how to have a real relationship with the stars. And it’s important to show up for those supporting you, whether it’s a nonprofit, a school or a local politician. It’s not just about music. It’s about community. I do a sneaker giveaway as part of my nonprofit. I do a back-to-school skate party in Clayton County.”
His plans for his new show: “I’m ready to straight shake up the city. I want to give back to fun on radio, the fun of hip hop. I want to bring more positivity to the culture. I want to help usher in the new wave of Atlanta artists. There are a lot of female artists, alternative hip-hop, lyrical artists. Marco Plus is going to be one of our biggest artists.”
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
