By Felisha Butler
In 1988, Hot Springs became home to local radio legend, Dick Antoine. Moving here from Kansas after accidentally stumbling into the business, he has become a man that everyone in town knows.
“Talk of the Town” is a well-known radio show that Antoine hosts during the weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. The show hopped from station to station, finally landing on 1340 KZNG. He has covered a variety of topics ranging from live poetry readings, city board meetings, and interviews with gallery walk artists.
“Back in those days, we aired live remote from a van,” he said. “But then I started doing talk and I figure I’ve done about 20,000 to 25,000 interviews since 1991 on the radio.”
On his show, Antoine has sometimes featured up to four guests within the two-hour time frame. His list of interviewees ranges from Bill Clinton when he was governor, to Connie Stevens, an actress, to various people who visit Hot Springs and even just normal folks like the mayor and Miss Arkansas.
“With my show, I try to let people know what’s going on in Hot Springs,” Antoine said. “Everyone finds out nationwide what happens in Washington, D.C. I hear all kinds of stuff in Hot Springs and for example I’ll say, ‘rumor on the street, this hotel is gonna open’ and I have fun with it.”
While also running Mountain Harbor Marina for 11 years, Antoine has played an integral part in our community. He started our modern-day downtown Farmer’s Market in 1995, which has grown tremendously. He and Tom Wilkins began the Spa Blast, a family friendly event with activities for kids, a petting zoo, live music, and a firework show that takes place at Oaklawn Racetrack.
Antoine also helped raised money for the Adam Brown statue that sits at Hot Springs Veteran’s Memorial. For 25 years, he dressed up as Santa Claus and until recently, he and Monte Everhart would lead the Saint Patrick’s Day parade together, where he was famous as the world’s tallest leprechaun.
“If there’s something going on in town, I probably had something to do with it,” he said.
Even after being diagnosed with cancer in 2009, he has still been a powerhouse in Hot Springs. Now, after 31 years, Antoine is calling it quits. He’s taking a step back from the public and is focusing more on his family. His last show at 1340 KZNG will be May 24.
“I want to thank all the folks that listen. I’ve had a great time. I just hope that if my name ever comes up later on, that when they hear my name they’ll smile.”
