Cumulus Media’s 104.1 KRBE in Houston is moving forward without one of its most recognizable morning voices. Longtime co-host Ryan Chase has exited The Roula & Ryan Show with Eric, bringing an abrupt end to a 19-year run at the station and a partnership with Roula Christie that spanned more than two decades.
Chase’s departure occurred late last week, surprising both listeners and industry observers familiar with the morning show’s stability and longevity. He, Christie, and producer Eric Rowe first teamed up at Mix 96.5 in 2002, building chemistry that helped elevate the trio to KRBE in 2006. Their show became one of Houston’s most enduring morning franchises, maintaining strong ratings while weathering format shifts, personnel changes, and an increasingly competitive market.
On Monday, Christie and co-host Eric Rowe addressed Chase’s departure on-air. “We’re gonna miss a lot of things. Nobody plans for this. We just signed a five-year deal. I know you want us to tell you things, but we cannot,” Christie said. Rowe added, “I’m in shock. I’m bummed.”
In February, the team signed a new five-year contract extension. The updated agreement also led to a rebranding of the program as The Roula & Ryan Show with Eric, a move that seemed to reinforce the show’s core lineup for the foreseeable future.
However, Chase’s sudden exit now raises questions about how KRBE will navigate a transition that few saw coming.
Before rejoining KRBE in 2006, Chase held several notable roles across major markets. He served as APD at New York’s Z100, worked overnights at the former 92.3 K-Rock, and co-hosted mornings at KDGE “The Edge” in Dallas. He also spent time at KRBE in the mid-1990s, giving him deep roots both at the station and in Houston radio.
KRBE has already updated its website to reflect the change. The station now lists the morning program as The Roula Show with Eric ft. Special K & Sam, signaling an immediate shift in branding while retaining the key voices who have helped shape the show’s identity.
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