Major and year?
Finance - Senior
Which song, album, or artist initiated your love of music?
Honestly, The Wiggles started it all for me. They lead me to The Beatles and the rest is history.
How did you first hear about or get involved with KVRX?
I first heard about KVRX through one of my best friends, Chris Burleson. We bonded and became friends over a similar music taste during my freshman year. He would often talk about how much he loved being a KVRX DJ and would occasionally suggest that I join the station and host a show, but I didn't seriously consider it until later.
The summer after my freshman year, I was at a Weyes Blood show in my hometown of El Paso, and Diego Britton, former programming director, happened to be standing right behind me on the standing room floor. We made some small talk before the show, and I remember being pretty shocked to run into a fellow UT student at a Weyes Blood show in a completely different city. I told him how I wanted to find a community of people at UT who loved music as much as I did, which made it pretty easy for him to sell KVRX to me. Our talk eventually evolved into him convincing me to finally get a show at the station. That next fall, I attended the first info session, got trained, and fulfilled my shadowing requirement as fast as I could (thanks to Lauren Johnson aka DJ LJ) and from there, The Zenner Zone was born.
What is your first KVRX memory?
This wasn't exactly my first KVRX memory, but one of my first *especially* memorable moments in KVRX. Throughout my first semester of being a DJ, I would bring in a friend to be a special guest on my show every week. This only lasted a semester, but it culminated in a very special occasion where 15 people were guesting on my show at the same time. I can still remember the look on Alexander Houy's face as 15 people entered the booth at once.
Which shows have you had on KVRX?
The Zenner Zone; Fall 2019 - Present; Freeform
Which KVRX staff positions have you held?
Booking Director (Summer 2021 - Present)
How has KVRX affected your interaction with music?
I feel like this is a pretty common response, but it's true - being in KVRX truly exposes you to all kinds of music that you would never imagine yourself listening to. I would've never expected that I would end up being a huge fan of The Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir but I was mistaken.
What's up outside of KVRX?
I'm a member of the Undergraduate Business Council and served on their Executive Board last year. If you're a business major, I highly recommend check it out - it's my other home on campus. Outside of school, I love collecting vinyl records, going to concerts, eating Mexican food, and hiking.
What is your favorite part of KVRX?
The people. And the opportunities. There aren't many places that give you the platform to interview your favorite artists, book concerts, and host a weekly radio show. It's pretty darn cool.
What advice would you give to new DJ's?
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for advice and mentorship. Get involved!