10 Questions with ... Tracee Tuesday

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

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I began my career as an intern/street team member for KMEL/San Francisco. That position quickly turned into a paid internship.

During my spare time, I lived at the radio station. I was like a sponge, soaking up every bit of information I could as it related to music, its history, artists and production. I also began an additional internship with Renel Brooks-Moon, who, at the time, covered a midday shift.

I began working with a Production Director on airchecks as he thought I had a good voice for radio. The rest, as they say, is history.

Those internships and airchecks landed me my first on-air radio gig with the "Renel in the Morning Show" on 98.1 KISS FM in San Francisco for almost 5 years.

Since then, I've been very fortunate to have worked in a number of markets including Las Vegas, Tucson, Omaha and Los Angeles. I'm currently holding it down in Central Oregon, hosting radio shows and features on Power 94FM, The Mix 100.7FM & Fox Sports Radio 94.9FM.

In addition to my on-air radio duties, I'm the new face of Central Oregon CW. My role as 'CW Star' brings a local element to the CW's national television programming.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

I felt fearless when I began my first radio gig. At the time, there weren't very many lead female morning show hosts. I began my career with Renel Brooks-Moon, a Bay Area legend and, currently, the voice of the San Francisco Giants.

Once it was known that I had landed the job, it was Mardi Gras. I was feeling myself and came to work with a bright turquoise boa on!

I remember Renel taking one look at me, calling me into her office and ripping me a new one. She said: "You are a radio personality now so step up your game and take that ridiculous boa off!" LOL!! Lesson #1 learned: There's a time and a place for flamboyancy. Today isn't that day.

2) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

When I began my career in Radio there was "Talent" ... then "Everything else."

In today's radio market, don't expect to land a job or last long if you can't multi-task a number of duties in addition to your on-air work. My hats include: MD, scheduling music, and I've even been required to set-up equipment at personal appearances. Yes! The times have changed.

3) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?

Smaller markets are a bit different, yet still very competitive. I take advantage of every opportunity I can to get out and in front of the community, whether it's through an appearance or joining a local charity.

My charity of choice was becoming a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. Not just talking at your community but becoming a part of it is essential.

4) What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of my job is meeting people! I love engaging the public. I'm known in Central Oregon as "Your Best Girlfriend, Tracee Tuesday," so it's important to "mean it" -- being just as comfortable connecting with your community as you are sitting in a studio by your lonesome, visually chatting with your audience, is, for me, just as important.

5) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?

I LOVE this question. His name is Joseph Sikora, a fantastic actor. You can currently catch him on episodes of Starz' hit show "Power" developed by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Courtney Kemp. He plays Tommy Egan on the show.

Watching Joseph Sikora on screen was finally knowing, understanding and feeling the sheer joy, that perfect level of intensity, and, at some points hilarity - just a barrage of emotions - moviegoers felt back in, say, 1938, when radio listeners first heard Orson Welles broadcast "The War of the Worlds." Welles was so captivating and convincing. Listeners actually thought they were being invaded by aliens from another planet! What a powerful performance by Orson.

The same can be said of Joseph Sikora and his on-screen presence. Every scene this guy's in is deliciously explosive. What an incredible actor. Talk about making "dreams come true," would be to get THAT guy on my show! My sister said I should stop "fanning" him on social media before he thinks I'm a serial stalker, so I've since cut back to simply "liking" his social media posts. LOL!

6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your personal playlist?

I love me some Motörhead! Yeah, that's right!

7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

107.7 KSOL and 1310 KDIA-A/San Francisco Bay Area. Those stations back then were strictly soul music. My mother loved music, mostly Soul/R&B. All she listened to were artists like The O'Jays, The Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Billy Paul, The Clovers, Earth Wind & Fire, Teddy Pendergrass, The Emotions, etc. Both were great stations that have long ago changed formats.

8) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Gosh, so many amazing individuals have inspired me through the years. These amazing individuals come to mind: Renel Brooks-Moon (announcer for the SF Giants), Michael Erickson (former PD now deceased), Pete Azarnoosh (Production Director for iHeartRadio/San Francisco), Buddy Van Arsdale (PD) and Joey Arbagey (EVP/A&R at Epic Records.)

All have helped me to mature, passed on excellent advice, supported me through the ups and downs, help grow me as a talent and public ambassador; truly, beautiful and talented human-beings.

9) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

An avid astronomer, loosely studying Astrobiology, I'm obsessed with heading to the local observatory and checking out which stars I can identify within its constellation.

If I'm not hanging out at the observatory, you can catch me on someone's farm, riding horses, or making homemade limoncello.

10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

I remember sitting at home one day, years ago, listening to the radio. Listening to the legendary Rick Chase, I remember saying, "How awesome would it be to get paid to talk on the radio!"

You can be whoever you choose to be through this thing we call a microphone. Creating an alter-ego or simply being who you are, all the while engaging people to want to listen. How incredible is that? With so many outlets to get your music, entertainment and news from, when a listener chooses you, it's such a privilege.

Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the composer. This guy was composing music at five! Most kids at five are sucking their thumbs and playing in the dirt. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

To be a genius at such an early age, to perform for an emperor later to be kicked in the butt (literally) when he was finally let go from the archbishop's service.

What was going through Mozart's mind and psyche to have created such incredible masterpieces, valued much more today than in his own time?