Sacramento has lost one of its most beloved voices. Tristen Mayes, the radio personality celebrated for his silky smooth tone and matching charisma, passed away on Feb. 26 at the age of 63.
Mayes was born Frontis Abney on July 23, 1962, in Camden, New Jersey. As a young man, he excelled in school and sports, He played high school football before enjoying a brief stint in the NFL. A knee injury cut short his professional career and would set him on a much different path — playing music rather than making plays.
Mayes spent time in Los Angeles, working behind the scenes on several television sitcoms. He also worked in radio in Philadelphia. Before dedicating himself to KDEE, Mayes spent 11 years in Sacramento with iHeart Media Inc. as on-air talent and executive producer, and also worked at CBS Radio Sacramento as a sports producer and on-air talent…