94.5 The Buzz Houston’s Theresa literally went from being an intern and part-time promotions assistant in Kansas City to getting a real opportunity in Houston in 2004, where she’s been building her career since. She is currently the Afternoon Drive Host (2-7p) on KTBZ and is also a National Custom and Format Center Rock Alt personality for iHeartRadio. “I am on air from Salt Lake City to Jersey and on in numerous cities all the way down to Florida,” she confirms.
Theresa was originally a Graphic Design major in college. “One night, a friend was on our college radio station, and we were all tuning in at midnight,” she explains. “I remember thinking, ‘I want to do that!’ I have always had a love for music. It all seemed like it was meant to be. I changed my major to Communications, and the rest was history. I truly feel I was made for this.”
“And the glory about ‘Alternative’ music is that the goalpost can move around depending on the musical climate. It’s never boring,” she says. “I love that you can hear Outcast ‘Hey Ya!’ back-to-back with Twenty-One Pilots, then into Metallica. Right now, the Country flavor is the main ‘trending’ layer in music. We even see it in our Alt world, and that’s why the format is great. It will always adapt, which is good! And that’s why the format will always be vibrant and continue to grow, while the base layer (the hits) will be the foundation songs that people want to hear. The format, in general, isn’t missing a thing right now. It’s doing what it does. It’s the audience that dictates what you are hearing on the radio. Different cities and age groups determine what an Alt Rock station will play. There is plenty to choose from, and it’s always changing.”
“For me personally, right now, one of my favorite bands is ALEXSUCKS. They have been doing really well with some good radio play. They have an edge.” Theresa adds.
As for how she feels about the new Linkin Park singer: “Emily Armstrong has amazing vocals, and the new music is outstanding. I personally feel they should have done all of this under a new band name, though.”
When it comes to artists like Dolly Parton making rock albums, Theresa isn’t mad at it. “Dolly can do no wrong. I love it,” she says. “Any spotlight on the Rock format is a win.”
“When it comes to collabs, I LOVE a major format collaboration,” she says. “Public Enemy and Anthrax. Linkin Park and Jay Z. Jacoby Shaddix & Carrie Underwood just released ‘Leave a Light On’ and it’s amazing. And I’d love to see something from the Deftones and Karen O.”
As for what’s ahead for Theresa, “I’m focused on keeping my job; after all, I have come this far,” she says. “I would also love to start my own business one day. My Instagram is loaded with clothing inspo videos and everything else in that realm. One day, you may see me start an online store and take it from there.”
Both Theresa and Morning Host Rod Ryan are celebrating big anniversaries at The Buzz this year. “It’s very weird to think that I have been at The Buzz for 20 YEARS!” she says. “Rod Ryan came to the station 6 months before me, so he set the stage. When we do run into each other, we laugh at our good times on the RRS, and it’s all good vibes. I always say on air, ‘Dad gets you to work, and Mom gets you home.’ People think we are all in this big radio clubhouse every day. The truth is we rarely run into each other.”
Having spent my own radio time in Houston twice, I had to ask Theresa how she deals with the heat, humidity, traffic, and weather. “It’s BRUTAL!” she says. “The Heat and Humidity create half of the road rage, in my opinion. I LOVE HOUSTON, but I dream of being on some off-the-grid ranch in Wyoming or something. I need winter. After 20 years here, I still crave a good winter.”
Follow Theresa on FB, IG, @TheresaRockFace
Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
