I am shocked and saddened to my foundations over hearing the devastating news of Teresa's passing.
I moved to Dallas in July 1996 from Houston to work at Shadow Broadcast Services when they opened a traffic shop on KEWS. Due to my background in Houston at KQUE, Ben Laurie suggested I look into part time work at 620 KAAM.
I started there in November and Teresa was the first person at the station (and in Dallas for that matter) who befriended me. She was full of personality, life, vivaciousness & funny and she was the first person to tell me about Johnny Reno and Lounge night at the Red Jacket. I remember she and I closed down the joint on many a Thursday night after she got off the air. ("Teri, DARLIN', you'll never guess where I am! I got a Jack & Coke with your name on it - come on down!")
What you heard on the air on KAAM from Teresa was who she was in life. It was "seat of your pants" radio - at its very best. It was what many in broadcasting attempt to achieve and Teresa accomplished it every time she cracked a mic - entertaining spontaneity. I always appreciated what she did - so did a lot of listeners.
But she butted heads with "you know who" at KAAM on many occasions and she asked me if I could get her an interview at Shadow - which I did and Neal Rohrig hired her. It was not long after that I left Shadow myself - and she left KAAM.
We stayed in touch now and then (I knew she met - and married) Brian and they moved to Louisiana. I, too was married by then (to another KAAM refugee, Sharon Trimble). But over time, as often happens in this business, we lost touch. But I know how happy she was. With Brian, I know she found who she had always been searching.
It was sometime in 2008 that Joyce McCormick, Promotions Director at 770, told me she ran into Teresa and Teresa told her to tell me Hi. I think Joyce said that Teresa had been recently diagnosed but I didn't believe it then. (Not Teresa - never Teresa).
I can't imagine the pain Brian and Teresa's sister and their family must be feeling tonight. This is a loss you never get over, you just learn to live with it - eventually. My thoughts and prayers... you know.
It's 1:36 AM. I will let Sharon sleep and tell her in the morning. :'(