09.25.09
Posted in Radio Chatter, Random Thoughts at 8:33 am by Administrator
Come join me this Friday @ Heat Nightclub Schaumburg! Party with Clubmix Chicago as I host with DJ Esco and DJ Mike B!! Also performing live Kris Warren singing his hit song Girlfriend Boyfriend. Clubmix Chicago has arranged the best drink deal in Chicagoland $25 Includes your cover & unlimited drinks for 3hrs. You must rsvp to get that drink deal! Email me before 6pm on Friday at rortiz@b96.com or text clubmix to ‘25827′ Hope to see you there! Don’t forget my job as host is to make sure you’re having fun! I won’t let ya down! See you there!!!
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06.28.08
Posted in Radio Chatter at 8:49 pm by Administrator
Hope all of you had a great week!
I was with my old friends back at 97 ZOK in Rockford this past week and will be there until Wednesday next week too! I left there to go to B96, and they have always been so wonderful to me. I told them if they ever needed anything to holla, and that they did. So with the blessing of my boss at B96 I have been helping out.
It’s funny because I started working for ZOK about 2 years in to my gig at XLC. I honestly hit a rough spot, and wanted to see what else was out there so I made a demo – which was hard to do since I was with Joe at the time and how was I going to show off my work when everything was the 2 of us? Either way, I did it, and I also made a list of the stations I listened to and then sent it off to them.
Todd Cavanah, my boss now at B96 responded but said something like, it has potential, send me more stuff when you get it. Didn’t have anything else, wah-wah!
Then the only other person to respond was the PD at ZOK at the time Tom Lazar (who is now in Cali). He and I had a meeting and he said he didn’t have anything full-time but had weekend stuff. He asked what my goals were and a boss had never really asked me that! I spilled my guts to him about things I was not happy with, and for the first time really said out loud what I wanted from my career. I trust him so much. He gave me amazing advice and has always been there for me.
I was always paranoid that if I ever left, that no one would even consider me as a solo act, because I had a partner – and that it would imply I wasn’t good enough on my own. I started there a few weeks later and did a few days a month. It was a great way to become comfortable with the technical side, plus, I was playing music I liked, and it really developed my skills being on by myself. It made me better all around and really pushed me to want to be better on XLC.
I was honest about doing weekends at ZOK and even talked to my boss before the interview. Sadly, Tom left for Cali about 6 months in – I still keep in touch, but the bonus was I filled in his shift for a few months until they found his replacement. I would do the morning show at XLC and then rush to Rockford to do drive time. It was insane. But I loved it.
Working on the weekends was great, but I really got to know the staff being there during the week. Jammer came on eventually – and I went back to the regular. But my ZOK friends are the best. Getting to see them in person and not just talk to them or text has been awesome. They know all the changes in my life and career that have happened and are so supportive. My new home is B96, but my friends at ZOK are for life. I adore them (XOXO – Jenna, Allasia, JB, Steve and Leigh)
It was funny when I went in for the first time on Thursday morning they were like “tell me all about B96!” because they LOVE the station AND Jobo use to work there back in the day. Small world right?
So yea, that’s all I got for that.
Other stuff, I’m at B96 today but I’m working 2-6pm instead of my norm because Julian has that Dub car show thing. I’m debating if I want to do public transportation because of the taste of Chicago and the Cubs/Sox game today. I would rather drive…but I don’t really want to get stuck in mass traffic. We’ll see.
Other than that, my niece Katie is home from college for 2 months and I’m so happy she’s home.
My friend Sebastian will be in town next week and I’m so very excited.
And that’s about it. since Katie is in town she’s watching Isabella so she can spend time with her so I didn’t get to see her this week 
She is crawling FAST and all over the place. Jess is freaking out because she keeps catching her standing in her pack and play and she’s afraid she’s gonna fall out. She’s growing so fast! I put a video of her on my myspace if you want to check it out.
There is also a video of some dude dancing at the B-Bash which is hysterical. Check it out!
PLUS, check out Rebecca’s Rumors! Just updated it! Madonna divorce talk and Mini-me sex tape! HA!
Alright, I’m off to eat some cheerios! Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
R
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05.22.08
Posted in Radio Chatter at 10:50 am by Administrator
I’m filling in for Roxanne Thursday 5/22/08 from 10am-2pm so listen!
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05.06.08
Posted in Radio Chatter at 3:49 am by Administrator
Hola Amigos!
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
I did my celebrating early – since most places will be jammed later. The slide show below is for the occasion and it’s something I like to call: Fun w/Sombreros!
Anyways, just wanted to again thank all of you for the kinds e-mails, and words of encouragement! I haven’t even gotten through half of them!
I am SO proud to have had you as listeners! Seriously! Some of the letters had me on the verge of tears (because they were so sweet), while the others had me laughing my butt off! I kept calling a friend of mine reading them to him and finally he was like, “just POST them…I’ll read them later” – and I thought – oh yea?!
So below you will find a few of the more colorful ones!
Rebecca – I was trying to read the freak show earlier today and it wasn’t loaded yet so I thought I’d try later today and just realized you’re not on the site anymore and I thought omg, my mornings are ruined! oddly, I only started listening for the lake county traffic and in the midst totally fell in love, ok too strong, fell in like? with you and Joe… but I guess chapters do close and new ones do open… I’m really gonna miss you in the morning, I think I’ll revolt and just listen to my CD player for a while… I hope you turn up on some nearby airwaves again soon
-Kathleen
I put up a nice song (and some comments) on my blog in celebration of your new career direction! Enjoy. Oh, and Tim is going to be totally out of control now. Who is going to let him out to go pee? They’ll need new carpeting there in a week. Poor Tim! He might not eat for weeks!!
-Joe
Now I’m just getting nostalgic…remember this doozy?
http://joecicero.com/media/Happy_Office_Video.wmv
May 2, 2008: Rebecca, Ever since this morning when I didn’t hear your voice. And there was no mention of why you were gone. I checked the Website and saw that any thing that had to do with you was wiped clean from the site. I knew what was up. So…. I switched channels in an instant! I don’t care to listen to XLC anymore. You were the only reason I listened. I’m not trying to BS either.
So, when you get to your new gig, please let us all know!
Your better off not being where your not appreciated! Those Ba**ards!
Time for celebration drinks!!
Good Luck,
Lauri D
It was you and Joe that I listened to everyday for 4 years and now you both are gone . So guess what I am too, I will not listen to XLC ever again!
-Big Dog
this is why i am not a chicago fan . there is no loyalty it is very sad i am a listener of of the joe and rebecca and rebecca show i will not listen to that station ever again. keep your fans posted of where you might do radio next. i agree with you 100%
thanks for your time on the radio and thankyou for taking the time for this blog. if you are ever in elk grove village my company will give a free oil change. just wanted to say thanks
-John D
Hey Rebecca -I can’t believe it. I loved listening to you in the morning. You’ve been awesome. I vow to never listen to them again. I thought maybe you were just sick or something…I never in a million years thought that this would happen. You’ve been working your ass off!
I have Sirius Satellite radio but still listened to you in the morning…It’s really sad that this happened. But you are right all things happen for a reason. I hope I hear you on the radio again soon. I’m going in for open heart surgery on May 19th…I’m only 32…but again all things happen for a reason. I was looking forward to listening to you while I was recuperating.
Take care of yourself and I’ll say a little prayer for you!
Brooke L., Gurnee, IL
Rebecca, I just wanted to tell you that I just read your blog and I’m heartbroken, I listened to you EVERY morning for the last 4 years. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the mornings while I drive my son to daycare and then to work myself, I even listened to you in the office. Just know that you did kick ass as a DJ and please post about where you are headed next so that I can follow you there!!!!
Keep your chin up!!!! And know you will be missed GREATLY!!!!!
Thanks for all the years of dedication and incredible work…………
A HUGE FAN
Sarah
Rebecca,
It has been great listening to you for the last 4 years. Thanks for all the great shows and appearances in Lake County. You will be missed. Best of luck to you and hope to hear you again soon!
JD
I just wanted to say that you’ve come along way over the last few months. You should be proud of yourself and the great strides that you’ve made. My husband and I listen to you every morning on our way to work and you will be missed. Good luck with your future endeavors.
Kelly
Rebecca – Wow. this is total bullsh*t! Sorry – my sister and I have been fans of yours & Joe’s for awhile now – she especially was a dedicated listener & caller! She immediately called me this morning, confused, bewildered, angry, lonely… (ha) because she had no idea what was going on when she didn’t hear you this morning. “That station” has done this over and over – ever since I’ve known them, they’ll have a morning show, decide they don’t like it, and totally revamp it without saying anything. I thought they were finally changing when they had the big goodbye for Joe – and kept you on by yourself – I thought, maybe they’re really giving their listeners credit and staying loyal. WRONG! At any rate, we’re so sorry to see you go, we’ll definitely tune into you on B96…and I have a feeling this ‘new’ morning show they’ve got (wasn’t Jimmy on the air like, 15 years ago??? I think he was on when I was in HIGH SCHOOL) won’t last long, and they’ll be up a creek, and wish they had you back.
All the best to you, you seem like a great person. Don’t lose your sincerity & heart just because people are jerks! You can hear that in your voice through our radios and it’s what keeps us tuning in…don’t lose it!
-Christin
Rebecca!!!
I woke up this morning, turned on my radio and heard strangers!!! I thought maybe I was still asleep?!??
I cannot believe those jerkfaces let you go. I’m just so upset. First Joe and now you! I was really liking Rebecca,Tim and Monica in the morning.
I want you to know that I called all morning long and those losers never even asnwered the phone. Of course I was going to say something like, “Where is Rebecca? and who the H are you tools?!?!?” I really don’t even feel like listening in the morning anymore, but I still love Tim (who by the way the “accidently” called “Ed” this morning) and Monica….. it just won’t be the same without you! I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do though
-Sarah
Hey Rebecca – - I didn’t hear you Friday morning and thought you just took that day off. Then on Friday afternoon I hear this commercial for the Jimmy & Jen show starting Monday morning!?!?! What the heck??? Just like I freaked out when Joe left us – - I began panicking and praying to God they’d say something about you! But you couldn’t have said it better yourself – - you need to be where you are appreciated – above all else. To have worked as hard as you have all these years to have it end like this is just the kind of corporate b.s. this world could do without. So it took a while but I FINALLY found you and after reading your blog – - I’m sad for us\Lake County but not for you. I have no doubt you will continue to do great things and be treated like the superstar that you are!!
Good luck Rebecca – you will most definitely be missed and I wish you all the best!
-Betty
Hi Rebecca, I tuned in on Friday and you weren’t there and I thought maybe you had the day off. This morning I tuned in (as always in the morning) and it was Jimmy & Jenny and I was sooo confused. I looked up Joe’s blog which is where I found out about you.
I am truly sad that you are gone. Joe & Rebecca have been in my mornings everyday for the last 4 years. When Joe left I was sad but happy that you were still around. And now you are gone. I will be honest, the show this morning was horrible and I will now be finding a new station in the morning. I am not really sure what reason behind the “change” was but if XLC wanted to lose listeners they have succeded. I am not sure how they would even think that this was a good business decision. Good luck to you! You are great person and a pleasure to listen to. You will do just fine!
-Michelle
Hi Rebecca. I leave town for over a week and come back to find out you left 102.3 WXLC. It was sad to see Joe Cicero leave, and just when i got used to you going solo, now your gone . I love XLC but it seems like it will never be the same. B-96 music is not my kinda music, unless your playing the same kind of music XLC did ,i will switch over. If not oh well.I have been listening to you on the radio for the last 3 years and your good radio personality.
Keep up your good work and keep climbing up the charts !!!!!
-bob
I was off work last week, so I missed my typical morning commute. When I turned on the radio today, I was lost. THAT was not how to make a change that affects so many people’s morning I immediately switched my station and will NOT switch back, which is a sad thing to do considering there are other good people there. Best of luck to you from myself and the kids (I haven’t told them yet…they’re still getting over Joe)
Laura
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05.02.08
Posted in Radio Chatter at 7:27 am by Administrator
If you are reading this blog entry then clearly you’ve been paying attention to my website that has been linked up to the XLC website for the last month or so – so BRAVO to you!
Regardless of how you found me you are HERE! So yea! Please be sure to check back because I will continue to blog here at www.rebeccaortiz.com and also continue the HOLLYWOOD FREAKSHOW! Woo hoo!
Well, first things first – you are probably wondering what the hell is going on. In the words of my supervisor, “We are going with a new direction for the morning show” – and it’s not me.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t totally caught off guard. I will say that I always sucked it up though and put on my game face – and that is something I am proud of. I did work my behind off for the company for over 5 years – but it is what it is.
The host of WKRS, Libby Collins told me before I left that this happens to all the successful radio DJ’s at least once – so it looks like I’m on my way right?! HA!
I do have plans in the works. I am not going to dwell on the fact that I left a little sooner than anticipated from XLC. I am excited about my future. I have no reason to be upset. I gave 1,000 % of myself when I was there, and I have nothing but pride for what I’ve learned, and how far I’ve come.
Everything happens for a reason. I believe that with all my heart. I have no regrets from my time at XLC. It was LITERALLY my whole life during my time there.
I do however wish I would’ve had the chance to say goodbye. I mean it is silly to think that listeners won’t notice that I’m not there anymore – I was there for 4 years! It’s too bad the biz is like that – but that is exactly why I started my website. I hope you all keep in touch and follow me as I conquer the world of radio!
Since I didn’t formally get to say my “Farewell’s” I would like to do that because I really would not be where I am if it weren’t for you:
I would like to thank my co-workers who were there for me in so many ways and were my cheering section during the tough days: Mary O’Connor, Jerry Boothe, Robert Kutzler,Chris Williams, and Lisa Delisi.
Diane Ebert and Jason Cornell – you guys are always ready at the drop of a hat to help and are like the station cheerleaders. I could always count on you to be there with a smile.
My true radio family – Joe Cicero, Monica DiSantis, Tim Vander Tuuk, Frank Wright and Mike Mason – I mean what can I say?! I know how hard you all work and (with the exception of Joe who already escaped and found it) I hope you find happiness and the credit for all you do that goes un-noticed. I can, and do tell you guys everything and know you have my best interest at heart…and a drink too if need be! I talk to you all the time anyways so you know I love you, and that nothing will change…oh yea except for that one thing. 
And last but not least to the Lake County business’ I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and ALL the listeners who call in, e-mail, and have shared their lives with me in any way shape or form. YOU are the reason I got up early every morning and got going even when the world around me was falling apart! I hope you all keep in touch, and know that this was NOT my call to ditch you like that!
Regardless of what management thinks – I think I kicked some morning show butt – not just as a chic – but in general.
Thanks for a great run! Cheers to the future!
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04.25.08
Posted in Radio Chatter at 4:00 pm by Administrator
The show was a blast! And how cute is she? I got the chance to meet her in person with listeners Jennifer, Jennifer’s dad, listener Paula, her mother-in-law, my roommate Kelly, our promotions director Janelle, and Janelle’s mom Barbara.
Like a dork I also had her sign my copy of her new book, ‘Are you there Vodka? It’s me Chelsea,’ and she endorsed it, “Rebecca, Thanks for the great interview! -Chelsea” Which totally made my night!
Well gotta get ready for a hot show!
Have a great morning!
Don’t forget to check out www.rebeccaortiz.com !
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04.10.08
Posted in Radio Chatter at 7:51 pm by Administrator
Really – I’m just so beat today! The sad thing is I got so much sleep yesterday! My body is so backwards! It’s like the more sleep I get the more tired I am. So weird.
Tim was cracking me up this morning because he said he was tired too (from watching all 15 innings of the Cubs game and then the Avs game) and that he almost flipped over the garbage can right outside the studio. I laughed at him…but then when I went to grab something from our office I almost did the same thing. KARMA!!!
Anyhow, one more day until the weekend and I couldn’t be more excited!
Well, I feel like I should address something that’s been a common topic for your e-mails and phone calls…what the heck happend to Jon?!
In a nutshell, he resigned this week. He was sick with a cold he couldn’t kick and I guess he had some other stuff going on and the morning show just wasn’t working out for him. I wish I had more to tell you – but I don’t know much more than that. The last time I spoke with him was via text message this past Sunday when he said he wouldn’t be in on Monday. After the show on Monday I was informed he wouldn’t be returning.
Jon and I got along well, and we’ve been friends for years. I am very surprised at how things turned out because I know he was very excited about the opportunity. It is what it is though, and the show must go on.
I know they are looking for someone to fill his spot – let’s hope the third time is the charm! I spoke with Joe and he mentioned that when his original co-host left, the person they picked to replace her lasted about a month too…and then came ME! He also was laughing because his new co-host has some serious back issues and will more than likely be taking some time off for surgery so we’ll both be solo – who knew right?
I just want to thank EVERYONE for the really nice e-mails and for being so supportive as I fly the ship solo. I have been trying really hard and am so lucky to have Tim and Monica with me everyday. Not only have they been a big help to making the show “fuller” – but they are honestly good friends of mine off-the-air so it’s just like hanging out with my friends every morning and I think it creates a great energy and I hope that comes across.
I want to give you guys the best show possible! So you have my promise that I’ll keep trying to kick some morning show bootie! WOO HOO!
OK! Well speaking of – lots of things to do this morning so I’m going to have to wrap this up!
I will leave you though with this funny picture of Sophie. I haven’t put pics up of her in a while. Kelly gave her a bath the other day and sent this to me and it is just so sweet!
Those are bubbles on her nose – yes, she has special doggie bubble bath. The most spoiled dog in the world! I don’t even have bubble bath! HA!
Have a great day!
Don’t forget to check out www.rebeccaortiz.com !
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