Competing DFW Hosts Announce Engagement On-Air

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 3:22pm CT

Elle and Ken Buckner

Two of North Texas's best-known morning radio voices are officially joining forces off the air. Elle, morning host of "Ranch Mornings" on LKCM Radio's KFWR (95.9 The Ranch), and Ken Buckner, co-host of "Real Country Mornings with KB and Heather Lee" on sister KTFW (92.1 Hank FM), have announced their engagement.

The pair broke the news with a joint announcement Tuesday morning (August 2), simulcast on both stations. Listener reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive across the two country outlets.

Buckner joked about his long resistance to dating, saying, "I had told everyone that it would literally take thunder, lightning, galloping horses and trumpets blaring from above to make me consider another relationship." Elle added that the signs came together when the two were co-emcees at the Fort Worth Parade of Lights: "Of course, every good parade has plenty of horses and trumpets." Buckner chimed in, "And this one started in a thunderous rainstorm! I took the hint."

The couple recalled that their first meeting was at a station event, where Elle accidentally called Buckner "Kevin." Despite the slip, chemistry quickly followed. "We were already finishing each other's sentences by the first time we worked together," Elle said. "On paper, we're competitors in the market, but in truth we make each other better," Buckner added.

The pair say they began dating nearly three years ago and have been inseparable since. A wedding date is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Both will continue to host their respective morning shows, though now as husband and wife.

Elle has hosted mornings on The Ranch since August 2022, with previous stops at Cumulus Dallas, as well as stations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas. Buckner has led mornings on Hank FM since July 2019, following prior on-air roles at KPLX/Dallas, WKKT/Charlotte, and KLLL/Lubbock.