Re: Tulsa's Radio Women...Circa 1990: Part 3
"They're sharp and spontaneous," Nole says of his female student DJs. "Women seem to be more mature at this age, at presenting themselves. They seem to know better who they are.` Disagreeing is 26-year-old Charlene Lewis, who has nine years in the local radio market, and is the only woman on a six-person DJ staff at KVOO, 98.5-FM. "I think that's what's wrong, there are too many women (in the business) who sound like they don't know what they are doing," says Lewis, who commands the 7 p.m. until midnight slot Monday through Friday. "So when you make a mistake, it comes off sounding like a ditsy blonde. You have to overcome that. You have to be in control or you're written off, especially in this market." Lewis, who sketches in her spare time, is the youngest in a family of two boys and three girls. Attracted to Tulsa from the greater Kansas City area by Oral Roberts University, she was a pre-med major and had seriously thought about a career as a concert pianist, having studied classical piano for more than 13 years. Though outgoing and talkative, there's a smooth cool about Lewis' on-air style that overflows into her personal attitude. Below is a look at some of Tulsa's other full-time, on-air women DJs. KAYI, 107-FM - In contrast to Dean's forceful, accommodating delivery, is the super-charged though slightly out-of-control style of Carly Rush, on air from 7 p.m. until midnight Monday through Friday and the only other woman on a seven-member DJ staff. "People get the impression that I'm a little looney but I'm not really like that. I'm smarter than they think I am," says Rush, a 22-year-old Oklahoma City native and University of Tulsa graduate. She has been with the station since September 1988 and is a classically trained flutist. KGTO, 1050-AM/KRAV, 96.5-FM - Jeanne Nass, from San Antonio, co-hosts the morning show with Jim Marbles from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Nass, 26, joined KRAV (a simulcast station) in May 1988. The former University of Oklahoma champion gymnast is the lone female among five male DJs. "Instead of going back home, I took on Tulsa and I battled every wall that's put up because it's really tough to get started," says Nass, whose fresh-scrubbed look belies her straight-forward demeanor. "It's still a battle of the sexes. "But I've always been a relatable type of person. I don't try to be funny, I'm not trying to be clever. I'm a team person . . . This isn't a women's movement or anything. It's common sense. People want variety, choice." KBLK, 1550-AM - Terri Alexander, 25, came to Tulsa from Los Angeles 10 years ago for a two-week vacation to visit her mother's family . . . and stayed. A graduate of McLain High School, the political science major first attended Northeastern State University and then the University of Tulsa where she saw an ad asking for KWGS student DJs. She is heard from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at Tulsa's only urban station, where she has five male counterparts. KBEZ, 92.9-FM - A public relations major at the University of Iowa, Pat Kroblin, 31, came to Tulsa in 1983 from Iowa City. Her parents and two brothers are here; a sister just moved away. And, yes, Kroblin is the baby of the family. Radio is "in my blood," says the velvet-voiced DJ who has five male colleagues. She joins DJ Larry Hoefling at 5:45 a.m. and continues solo from 10 a.m. until noon Mondays through Friday. She's a recovering news-junkie who at one time, even off-duty, monitored two TVs, two radios and slept with a police scanner at her head. These days, however, she turns on only soap operas and is involved in charity work. Her most pressing engagement is the impending birth of her and her builder-husband's first child soon. KNYD, 90.5-FM - An Oral Roberts University telecommunications major, Tulsan Kim Spence, 23, has been with KNYD for three years and handles a live talk show, airing noon until 1 p.m. Monday through Fridays. "I haven't had any negative experiences myself. More and more, I'm seeing women becoming one of the major parts of radio and television. And, I know it's because of people who have worked hard to get us where we are today," says Spence who shares DJ status with some seven male counterparts. Spence, a singer by avocation, imparts a relaxed, distinctively clear-spoken radio personality. "I'm stuck with being me. I don't incorporate a (different) personality well." KMYZ, 1570-AM/104.5-FM - D.C. Roberts, 33, is among Tulsa's best-known on-air personalities. She's news director, promotions director, does "morning drives" with Mel Myers Monday through Friday and specialty shows. She's spent nearly three of five years in Tulsa radio at KMYZ (a simulcast station). She's the only on-air woman to six male DJs. Lauding her listeners as "genuinely nice people," Roberts herself is personable, down-to-earth and a self-described "social mixer." Born in Broken Arrow, Roberts majored in advertising/public relations at TU. Any spare time is reserved for community work, her two dogs, jogging and work outs at a club. KTOW, 1340-AM/102.3-FM - Program director Taylor Chance, 24, and Lauren Davis, 31, are among 10 male full- and part-time DJs for perhaps the only progressive (and simulcast) music station of its kind in the state. Chance, a Tulsan, calls herself "a paranoid schizophrenic" and takes a cool, laid-back approach to her 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday show. Davis moved here from Arkansas six years ago and has a music education background. The rock 'n' roll queen of the premises for eight months, she's heard 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Thursdays and during specialty weekend programs. Chance is an artist, writer and music listener while Davis is a professional cook, a musician and photographer in her spare time. KXOJ, 100.9-FM - Sapulpan Kim Harrison, 26, plunged into radio at age 15. Heard daily from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., she was the lone woman among six male DJs until just recently when Tina Russo assumed a midnight to 6 a.m. show. Like most of the women, fun is a major professional consideration for Harrison whose style relies on "trying to be myself." KWEN, 95.5-FM - With nearly five years in Tulsa's radio market, Little Rock, Ark., native Linda K is heard weekdays midnight to 5:30 a.m. "There's still a long way to go for women I think," says Linda. "People still hear the sexy voice and I don't think women are given the opportunities that are open to men. People don't realize it's stressful, hard work. But it gives me a chance to be me, to be funny and entertaining." KQMJ, 99.5-FM - Tulsa is home to Liz Johnson, 32, who is heard 7 until midnight Monday through Friday, and on special weekend programs. Johnson attended Oklahoma State University and "has done it all" with that distinctively crisp yet personable voice of hers. "I believe it is my responsibility to be entertaining, informative, and play the music and shut up when there's nothing to say," says Johnson who has her own "voice" business that has her on a professional goal to ultimately (Pat Upton is the assistant editor of OK Magazine)
