Arkansas sports fans are a different breed. If you grew up anywhere between Texarkana and Jonesboro, you know that Razorback sports isn't just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle that borders on a civic duty. And for over two decades, 103.7 The Buzz Arkansas has been the heartbeat of that obsession. It’s the background noise in every pickup truck on I-430. It’s the reason people sit in their driveways for ten extra minutes just to hear the end of a segment.
Radio is supposed to be dead, right? Podcasts and streaming were supposed to kill the local FM star. But KABZ-FM—the actual call sign for The Buzz—didn’t get the memo. They’ve managed to stay relevant by being loud, local, and occasionally very argumentative.
The Evolution of KABZ and the Signal That Covered the State
KABZ didn't start as a sports juggernaut. Back in the early 90s, the 103.7 frequency was actually "The Point," playing active rock and catering to a completely different demographic. The shift to an all-sports format in the early 2000s was a massive gamble for Signal Media. At the time, folks weren't sure if Central Arkansas could support 24/7 sports talk, especially since the market was relatively small compared to Dallas or Atlanta.
But Arkansas is unique because there is no NFL, NBA, or MLB team to compete with the Hogs. The Razorbacks are the only show in town. 103.7 The Buzz Arkansas tapped into that singular focus. They realized that fans didn't just want national scores from ESPN; they wanted to know why the backup left guard was struggling with pass protection in Fayetteville.
The station’s signal strength is a big part of the story. Based in Little Rock, the 100,000-watt transmitter reaches deep into the Delta and up toward the Ozarks. It’s a massive footprint. Even when you're driving through those dead zones where cell service drops to a single bar, the Buzz usually stays crystal clear.
The Personalities Who Make the Magic Happen
You can't talk about this station without talking about David Bazzel. He’s basically the unofficial mayor of Arkansas sports. A former Razorback linebacker, Bazzel brought a level of credibility and "insider" status that most stations dream of. He’s the guy behind the Golden Boot trophy and the Broyles Award. His presence on The Morning Mayhem set the tone for the entire station: professional but loose.
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Then you've got the chemistry. It's weird.
Take Out of Bounds, for example. It’s not just about stats. It’s about the banter. You have guys like Trey Schaap who bring a deep, encyclopedic knowledge of high school sports and horse racing—Oaklawn is a huge deal for this station—mixed with the kind of "guy at the bar" talk that feels authentic. It doesn't feel like a script. It feels like a group of people who actually like (or mildly tolerate) each other talking about the things that matter to Arkansans.
Justin Acri is another pillar. As the General Manager and a long-time host, he’s been the steady hand. You need that balance. If everyone is screaming, the listener tunes out. You need the "straight man" to keep the wheels from falling off when the callers start getting wild.
Why Local Radio Beats National Syndication Every Time
I’ve heard people ask why they should listen to 103.7 The Buzz Arkansas when they could just pull up a national podcast. Honestly? Because a guy in a studio in Los Angeles doesn't care about the Arkansas high school football playoffs.
The Buzz lives for the "statewide" feel. They cover the Arkansas Travelers. They talk about the Little Rock Trojans. They spend hours analyzing the recruitment of a four-star kid from Parkview High School. That hyper-locality is their armor. During the "Petrino Era" or the subsequent coaching searches that felt like fever dreams, The Buzz was the town square. It was where you went to vent, to grieve, or to celebrate.
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The Impact of "The Zone" and "The Drive Time"
The mid-day slots on sports radio are notoriously hard to fill. People are at work. But The Zone managed to carve out a niche by leaning into the humor. It’s often less about the X's and O's and more about the culture of being a fan.
- They embrace the absurdity of Arkansas sports.
- They allow callers to become "characters" in the show's lore.
- They integrate local business sponsors in a way that feels like a partnership rather than an interruption.
Then there’s the afternoon drive. This is the prime real estate. By 4:00 PM, people are frustrated with their jobs and want to hear if the Hogs are going to land that transfer portal quarterback. The station understands the rhythm of the day. They know when to be serious and when to let the "Mayhem" take over.
The Oaklawn Connection and Beyond
One thing that surprises outsiders is how much horse racing talk happens on 103.7 The Buzz Arkansas. But if you live here, you get it. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs is a titan of the local economy and culture. The Buzz treats the Arkansas Derby like the Super Bowl.
They move the whole operation down to Hot Springs for major events. You’ll see the booths set up, the headsets on, and a crowd of fans surrounding them. It’s a remote-broadcast masterclass. It bridges the gap between the listener and the voice. When you see Justin Acri or David Bazzel in person at the track, it solidifies that connection. They aren't "elites" in a tower; they’re guys at the rail watching the same race you are.
Handling the Digital Pivot
Let’s be real: the FM dial isn't enough anymore. The Buzz knew this early. Their app is surprisingly robust. They were among the first local stations in the region to really push their "Listen Live" feature and archive their shows as podcasts.
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If you miss The Morning Mayhem because you were in a meeting, you can have the whole show on your phone by lunch. This move saved them. It allowed the "Expat" Razorback fans—the ones who moved to Dallas or Nashville—to keep their connection to home. You can find thousands of reviews from people living in different time zones who still start their day with Little Rock radio.
Misconceptions About the Station
A common complaint is that they’re "homers."
Look, they’re an Arkansas station. They want the Razorbacks to win. But if you actually listen, they are some of the harshest critics when the wheels fall off. They don't sugarcoat a 4-8 season. They don't pretend a bad recruiting class is a good one. The tension between being a fan and being a reporter is where the best radio happens. They navigate that line better than most.
The Buzz in the Community
It's not all just sports talk. The Buzz is heavily involved in charity. Whether it’s the "Buzz Wear" merchandise proceeds or specific radiothons for local causes, they use their reach for more than just ratings. This creates a level of loyalty that national shows can’t touch. When a host asks listeners to show up for a fundraiser, the listeners actually show up.
It’s that "village" mentality. Arkansas is a small state in terms of population, and The Buzz acts as the communication wire for that village.
Actionable Ways to Get the Most Out of 103.7 The Buzz
If you're new to the area or just starting to tune in, here is how you should actually engage with the station to get the full experience:
- Download the 103.7 The Buzz App: Don't rely on the FM signal if you're inside a large office building. The app stream is high-quality and includes a "talk back" feature where you can send in voice clips.
- Follow the Individual Hosts on X (Twitter): Most of the real-time "hot takes" and breaking news happen on their personal feeds first. It’s where the conversation continues after the mic is turned off.
- Check the Podcast Feed for "Best Of" Segments: If you don't have four hours to kill, the station frequently clips the most important interviews—like the weekly spots with the Razorback head coaches—into standalone listens.
- Attend a Remote Broadcast: Check their events calendar. Going to a live broadcast at a local restaurant or at Oaklawn is a great way to see the "sausage being made" and meet the personalities.
- Participate in the Contests: They run significant giveaways, especially during football season. Unlike national contests where you’re competing with millions, the odds here are actually decent because it’s limited to the regional reach.
103.7 The Buzz Arkansas remains a powerhouse because it refuses to stop being "Arkansas." It doesn't try to mimic the slick, over-produced feel of New York or LA radio. It’s gritty, it’s loud, it’s sometimes a little messy, and it’s exactly what the fans want. In a world of AI-generated playlists and corporate-mandated scripts, that’s a rare thing to find.