Tessa Barrera, who works for 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ Houston's “The Rod Ryan Show” in the mornings and KPRC 2's 1 p.m. afternoon lifestyle show, "Houston Life," announced she is leaving the radio portion of the job.
Barrera made announcements on both shows today. Here is a transcript of what Barrera said on Channel 2's "Houston Life" with co-host Derrick Shore about leaving "The Buzz" morning show and focusing on television:
"Tessa Barrera: You've known for some months about my plans to step away from radio. We've kind of been chatting about it. And, you know, just really focusing on just having one job right now. I'm pulling double duty. It's a long day. It's a fruitful day. But getting back in the TV business, like, I realize how much I miss it through this show. And today on Rod Ryan Morning Show, the radio, we finally announced the news that Friday is going to be my last day on the show. Thank you.
Derrick Shore: This coming Friday.
Tessa Barrera: So it's been over five years, you know, a little bit five years into like a little sprinkle of change. But I want you to see the picture like the goodbye picture that we put on (SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE IMAGE). Do we have that? Okay. So this is nice right. First of all, this is what I look like guys with no makeup and not dressed in the morning.
Derrick Shore: That's Rod and Chile and Alex.
Tessa Barrera: Chile. Rod. Alex. There you go. And, like, I Had a pimple patch on.
Derrick Shore: No way.
Tessa Barrera: Yeah, this is my goodbye photo after five years of effort. The pimple is, like, right there, forming in the crevice.
Derrick Shore: How do you forget?
Tessa Barrera: Well, I don't know. And then Rod goes, "Did you want to take this again?" I was like, "No, just post it." Goodbye to my radio...like this is the perfect way to end it because this is the type of family we are. We talk about the uncomfortable things.
Derrick Shore: It's real.
Tessa Barrera: It's as real as it will ever get. Okay, so big news...
Derrick Shore: Congratulations.
Tessa Barrera: Thank you, thank you.
Derrick Shore: That's a big, big change.
Tessa Barrera: I'm terrified.
Derrick Shore: Really?
Tessa Barrera: Yeah, a little bit.
Derrick Shore: Why?
Tessa Barrera: Just because it's, you know, you get in the you get in the habit of something and doing it every day, and you don't want to feel like you're letting people down. You hear about people losing jobs. And here I am walking away from a really great one. So I just feel a lot of emotion about it. But I'm thrilled to just really focus on this and go, like, so hard for Houston Life in 2025.
Derrick Shore: I'm happy for you and I'm sure your listeners are totally bummed.
Tessa Barrera: They were so fun. I did everything for them. It was like the pleasure of my life to keep them entertained, the pleasure of my life! And they are...they're everything. Houston listeners and viewers are everything.
Derrick Shore: They really are. You know, I have a dear friend who once told me, leave while the party is still fun. Figuratively, in relation to a career. And so when you know it's time to go, it's time to go. And I'm proud of you."
I would guess Barrera's loyal listeners will understand about just focusing on one job.
By the way, that photo is a rare picture of me with someone I am writing about. Houston Life was nice enough to have me on to discuss my 101 KLOL documentary "Runaway Radio" when it premiered at the Alamo Drafthouse and was released on streaming earlier in 2024. We talked about how KLOL led to the creation of "The Buzz," which was featured in my film! Buy the DVD as a holiday gift!
When Courtney Zavala left "Houston Life" in January 2023, Barrera was one of many hosts who filled in with Shore as co-host.
She filled in on the show in April and was announced as the next co-host in July.
Barrera joined 94.5 The Buzz in 2019, coming from iHeartMedia's Los Angeles sister station, KFI AM 640, where she served as a news anchor and executive producer.
Before that, the Corpus Christi native worked as a television news reporter and sportscaster for KRIS 6 and KZTV Action 10 News in her hometown.
She also showcased her competitive side in 2014, appearing on CMT's reality competition series Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge.
(Thanks Chris)
