| City of license | Houston, Texas |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Greater Houston |
| Branding | 94.5 The Buzz |
| Slogan | Houston's New Rock Alternative |
| Frequency |
94.5 HD-2 Active Rock ("The Rock") |
| First air date | October 15, 1960 |
| Format | Alternative Rock |
| ERP | 95,000 watts |
| HAAT | 585 meters |
| Class | C |
| Facility ID | 18516 |
| Callsign meaning | The BuZz |
| Former callsigns | KARO (10/15/1960) KLEF (10/21/1964) KJYY (3/13/1986) KLDE (4/29/1988) |
| Former frequencies | 107.5 (MHz) (1986-2000) |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| Sister stations | KBME, KKRW, KODA, KPRC-AM, KTRH |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | www.thebuzz.com |
KTBZ-FM, also known as 94.5 The Buzz, is an alternative rock radio station licensed to Houston, Texas with studios located in Houston at 2000 West Loop South, Suite 300, and with transmitter facilities located in Missouri City, Texas.
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This station first signed on March 13, 1986 as KJYY-FM, becoming KLDE-FM in 1988 (Oldies 94.5).
The current format launched at 107.5 FM on October 31, 1994 at 11:00 am CDT. The station called itself, "The New Rocket 107.5 - Houston's New Alternative," and changed its call sign to KRQT-FM. In March 1995, it changed both its call sign and format to what it is today. Under the direction of new General Manager, Pat Fant (formerly of KLOL-FM), the station re-launched its format in late May 1995 using the new call sign KTBZ-FM and the "107.5 The Buzz" slogan.
Before July 2000, KTBZ continued to broadcast on 107.5 FM. Due to a merger of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and AMFM, Inc., and the need to stay within the FCC's station ownership cap, KLDE was sold to recent move-in Cox Radio and acquired the 107.5 frequency. At 8:00 PM on July 18, 2000 KLDE Oldies 94.5 and KTBZ 107.5 The Buzz, swapped frequencies to complete the "trade" in ownership. A month before the swap, KTBZ announced that The Buzz would cease operations at 107.5 on July 18 and began a "Save the Buzz" campaign, sending Buzz listeners into a frenzy for information on the station's "impending demise." When the actual purpose of the campaign was discovered, an online forum maintained by KTBZ was shut down in order to try to keep the word from getting out as listeners began to post their findings. Still, this did not prevent listeners from distributing banners throughout Houston and painting "Save The Buzz" on their car windows. KTBZ even staged a public rally, at which a representative from parent company Clear Channel Radio came to read a statement. The statement read, in part, that in response to public comments, The Buzz would be saved and moved to 94.5 FM, a much stronger signal, resulting in a "Bigger, Better Buzz."
Just before 8:00 pm CDT on July 18, 2000, KTBZ and KLDE each played a pre-recorded lead-in to the station switch. KLDE had their air staff riding in a transporter across the dial to 107.5 FM, while KTBZ led a one-minute countdown as they "faded" off of the 107.5 frequency. At exactly 8:00 p.m., the stations simultaneously exchanged frequencies. KTBZ's montage led in with, "Turn On the Juice!," while KLDE's air staff "crash landed" on 107.5. Both stations celebrated the move with their own "Switch Parties," The Buzz presenting a free concert starring Stone Temple Pilots that was broadcast live from The Aerial Theater in downtown Houston on "The New 94.5 The Buzz." The remaining new station, "Oldies 107.5," marked the transition by playing 48 hours of non-stop music.
KTBZ began transmitting its HD and HD2 digital signals in January 2006. KTBZ 94.5-2 HD2 current format is "94-5 The Rock, Houston's Rock Station" playing Active and Classic Rock
KTBZ begins its broadcasting day at 6 am with The Rod Ryan Show, hosted by Rod Ryan and co-hosted by Theresa (also The Midday Show hostess), Jessica, and Doug. Features of The Rod Ryan Show include "New Music Monday," "Sex, Jail, Blood or Fame" (where listeners recount their weekend activities), and "Free Beer Friday," where a case of beer is given away to a caller every hour. The Rod Ryan Show has made many altruistic contributions to the greater Houston community, beginning with the organization of the Houston Dodgeball Association, also known as HODA. Once The Rod Ryan Show arrived at The Buzz, the station's once-waning numbers jumped significantly. As of August 2010, The Rod Ryan Show was the most-listened-to morning radio show in Houston.
Immediately following the Rod Ryan Show was a DJ named Chris Rice who first hosted the famous "All Request Nooner." This time slot now belongs to Theresa, who hosts the very popular Midday Show Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Succeeding her is Don Jantzen, who is known for his controversial anecdotes.
Former weekend/fill in jock A.D. now hosts nights.
Other notable staff includes "Captain Cash" Hal Lynde, a local stockbroker providing reports during Ryan's and Jantzen's shows, Karah Leigh, recently took over as the station's Music Director.
Former staff member Travis Bruce Golightly, (also known as TBG), was on the Rod Ryan Show through May 11, 2006, and in January 2010 returned to weekends after a long hiatus working in Atlanta, Georgia. Mark Wiggins left the show in late November 2009 and was best known for his humorous commentary. Wiggins left the show to pursue a career in news, and currently works as political reporter for KVUE-TV in Austin.
Former airstaff includes: Zakk United, "Just Plain" Mark Sutherland, Lanny Griffith (later of KRIV FOX 26), Lisa Kendall, "Shark", Ken Fusion, Brian Blades, Geno Pearson (formerly of KNRJ co-host of Alternative Static), John Leach, David Sadof, Jarod Frank, Steve Robison, "Cruze", Ken Hoffman, Mr. Randy, Johnny Maze, Graeme, Will Pendarvis, Derek Nelson, Rex Oates, "The Whipping Boy", Pam Kelly, Eric Schmidt (DJ), "D-Day", Jeff McMurray, Jerry Rohira, Cindy Bennett, Lauren.
Twice a year, KTBZ-FM promotes a live concert, called the Buzz Festival but better known as Buzzfest. The 2005 Fall Buzzfest was supposed to be held at Minute Maid Park, but because the Houston Astros advanced to the 2005 World Series that was held at the same time, it was moved to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. This turned out to be a major problem for the public, because the Woodlands did not honor the tickets sold for Minute Maid Park. Fans had to turn in their Minute Maid Park tickets for refunds, and then make the additional effort to purchase Woodlands tickets, with the change of venue announced approximately one week before the concert. As a result of this massive error in judgment, turnout for Buzzfest XVI was a great deal lower than Clear Channel hoped it would be.
The Buzzfest XVII was held on June 17, 2006, also at C.W. Mitchell Pavilion. Tickets sold out a little over a week after they went on sale. Several well known bands were in attendance, including: Staind, Hoobastank, Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Blue October, Evans Blue, Candlebox, 10 Years, Buckcherry, People in Planes, Hinder, Trapt, Brill, Hurt, and Huck Johns.
BuzzFest XX was held on October 28, 2007, at C.W. Mitchell Pavilion. Tickets went on sale on Saturday, September 15, 2007 with no presale. The line-up included: Smashing Pumpkins, Chris Cornell, Evanescence, Finger Eleven, Evans Blue, Alter Bridge, Sum 41, Fuel, Earshot, The Bravery, The Starting Line, Sick Puppies.
BuzzFest XXII was scheduled for October 26, 2008. The extensive artist lineup included such names as The Offspring, Staind, Seether, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, 10 Years and more. However, due to extensive damage to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion caused by Hurricane Ike, the show was forced to be canceled.
In 2007, the station was nominated for the top 25 markets Alternative station of the year Eaward by Radio & Records magazine. Other nominees included WBCN in Boston, Massachusetts, KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, KITS, in San Francisco, KNDD in Seattle, Washington, and WWDC in Washington, DC.[1]
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