Across Memphis, people wake up to their favorite radio stations and listen to DJs who share their personal lives to anyone who will listen. Some stations seem to last a lifetime, while others come and go abruptly, never to be heard again.
On Jan. 24, 2001, 94.1 The Buzz was born and Froggy 94 listeners were shocked to find alternative music where country had once lived.
“There was a void in the market,” said Tommy Davis, promotions director for The Buzz. “With the demise of stations like 96X, there was nobody playing hot alternative music.”
The station, which claims not to play “your little sister’s music,” has seen success this past year for two reasons. First, all but one employee on the radio and behind the scenes is from Memphis. Second, research was done to find out what type of stations Memphis wanted. Then, the product became a formula of that research.
The on-air personalities, including Kramer, who is the one not from Memphis, Nikki, Argo and Tripp, are used to target a market of women ages 18-34.
The Buzz is 1-year-old now and is thanking their loyal listeners with a huge birthday party.
“It is definitely going to be over the top,” said Davis, who rented telebeams and confetti machines for The Buzz Birthday Bash. Davis said this party is really the first baby step to bigger party plans The Buzz has.
The headliners for the party include Ingram Hill, Sister Hazel and Louise Goffin.
The event is going to be hosted by The Buzz DJs.
“We will announce one more surprise Buzz artist the week of the party,” Davis said.
Tickets, which cost $19.94, are going fast, according to Davis, who said he knows the party will be sold out the day of the show.
A post-party will be held at The Hard Rock Café and will feature Sammy’s Good Eye and Bad Apple. Davis said the prices would be $2 for people who attend the birthday party and $5 for those who don’t attend. The party will last until the wee hours of the morning, according to Davis.
“We really want to invite people to come out and party with us,” Davis said.
The partygoers won’t leave empty handed, either.
“We are giving tons of prizes away,” Davis said. “It is our birthday, but you will be taking home the presents.”
The event will be held at The New Daisy Theater on April 12.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
