Stereo Quad Suzy Waud

Stereo Quad Suzy Waud: The Voice That Rocked Ohio’s Airwaves

In the vibrant mosaic of Midwest radio history, few personalities shine as brightly as Suzy Waud, the irrepressible “Stereo Quad Suzy Waud,” whose voice defined an era of Top 40 radio in Columbus, Ohio, and beyond. From her debut in 1980 at WXGT 92X (now WCOL-FM) to her triumphant return to the airwaves in 2023 on Pure Rock 105.5 WXTQ in Athens, Waud’s career is a testament to the power of personality in radio. Known for her infectious energy, signature catchphrases like “IT’S FRRRRIIIIDDDDDAAAYYYYY!” and her ability to connect with listeners, Waud became a cultural icon in Central Ohio, her voice a weekly ritual for a generation of rock fans. Her journey through stations like 92X, WNRJ Pittsburgh, and WBZX The Blitz cemented her status as a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of Top 40 and rock radio. With a career spanning decades, Waud’s blend of humor, heart, and rock ‘n’ roll swagger made her a beloved figure, launching her from Columbus to larger markets and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and an unshakable love for broadcasting that continues to resonate with fans and insiders alike.

Suzy Waud’s radio career began in the early 1980s at WXGT 92X, a Top 40/CHR powerhouse in Columbus that dominated the market with its eclectic mix of pop, rock, and new wave hits. As an evening host, Waud brought a fresh, vibrant energy to the airwaves, her “Stereo Quad” persona—a nod to the quadraphonic sound trend of the 1970s—infusing every broadcast with a playful, larger-than-life vibe. Her shows were a whirlwind of music from artists like The Police, Madonna, and Van Halen, punctuated by her “Waudisms” like “Cutter Bug Cit-y” (her affectionate mispronunciation of Columbus) and “Vayvee” (her term for listeners). Waud’s ability to weave local flavor into her broadcasts—shouting out high school dances, Ohio State Buckeye games, and local hotspots like the Agora Ballroom—made her a community favorite. By the mid-1980s, 92X had shifted to a Rock/40 hybrid format, and Waud’s adaptability kept her at the forefront, her voice cutting through the airwaves with a mix of charisma and authenticity. Her tenure at 92X helped launch the careers of other DJs like Smokin’ Joe Dawson and Gary Spears, who moved to major markets like Chicago and Los Angeles, establishing the station as a talent incubator.

Waud’s talent propelled her beyond Columbus to larger markets, showcasing her versatility and star power. In 1989, she landed at WNRJ Energy 105 in Pittsburgh, delivering high-energy CHR broadcasts that captured the Steel City’s youth with hits from Prince to Bon Jovi. Her airchecks from October 27, 1989, preserved on Airchexx.com, reveal a polished yet spontaneous style, with Waud bantering about local events and engaging listeners with her infectious enthusiasm. After Pittsburgh, she returned to Columbus, joining WBZX The Blitz, where she became the morning show host, a role that solidified her as a Central Ohio legend. Her morning show, laced with humor and her iconic “FRRRRIIIIDDDDDAAAYYYYY!” shout, became a ritual for commuters and students, boosting The Blitz’s ratings in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Waud’s brief stints at stations like Z-93 and Star 107.9 further showcased her range, from rock to Top 40 to fill-in gigs. Industry insiders, including peers like Joe Willie Sousa, praised her as “one of the most talented folks” they’d worked with, noting her ability to command the airwaves in a field where female DJs were rare. Her Pittsburgh and Columbus gigs underscored her knack for connecting with diverse audiences, a skill that set her apart in an era of formulaic radio.

The Columbus community embraced Suzy Waud with a fervor that transcended typical fandom, turning her into a local celebrity whose voice was synonymous with the city’s rock culture. Listeners from Groveport to Athens tuned in to hear her spin records and share “Waudservations,” her quirky takes on life, music, and local happenings. She was a fixture at high school dances in the 1980s, where teens shouted “FRRRRIIIIDDDDDAAAYYYYY!” along with her, and her appearances at events like the Ohio State Fair and ComFest made her a tangible presence in the community. Fans on platforms like Reddit and RadioDiscussions.com recall her as a “radio legend,” with one listener, Competitive_Dance_68, posting in 2023 about their excitement for her return to WXTQ, noting how her voice brought back childhood memories. Waud’s engagement extended beyond the airwaves; she was known for interacting with fans at local venues, from record stores to bars, fostering a sense of intimacy that made listeners feel like they knew her personally. Her podcast, Waudcast, launched in 2011, continued this connection, with episodes recorded from her “Marcia Miano Memorial Studio” in a crawlspace under her kitchen, blending nostalgia with her trademark humor. The community’s love for Waud was evident in their outpouring of support when she returned to radio in 2023, with social media buzzing about her 2-6 p.m. slot on Pure Rock 105.5.

Among radio industry insiders and fans, Suzy Waud’s reputation is one of enduring influence and trailblazing talent. Trade publications and online forums like Airchexx.com and RadioDiscussions.com celebrated her as a standout female DJ in an era when women were underrepresented in Top 40 and rock radio. Her peers, from Pittsburgh’s Rob Case to Columbus’s Mike Motley, admired her ability to dominate the airwaves with a voice described as “comforting” and “upbeat.” Fans on social media echoed this, with one Apple Podcasts reviewer noting that her Waudcast felt “like having a conversation with an old friend,” a testament to her relatability. Waud’s influence extended to mentoring younger DJs, many of whom, like Baltazar and Jonny Zellner, followed her path to major markets. Her reputation was further cemented by her resilience; after leaving radio in the mid-2000s to run a Subway franchise and work as a business consultant, she returned with Waudcast and later WXTQ, proving her passion for broadcasting was unquenchable. Industry observers noted her ability to adapt to changing media landscapes, from AM/FM to podcasting to internet radio, a rare feat in a volatile industry. Her nickname, “Stereo Quad,” became a shorthand for innovation, harking back to the quadraphonic era while symbolizing her multifaceted talent.

Suzy Waud’s legacy is a vibrant thread in the fabric of Midwest radio, a story of a woman who turned a microphone into a megaphone for a generation. Her return to WXTQ in 2023, after a hiatus that included ventures like owning a Subway and consulting for Subway Development, was a homecoming celebrated by fans and insiders alike. Her Waudcast, with over 300 episodes by 2023, continues to capture her irreverent spirit, discussing everything from Columbus events to personal anecdotes, all delivered with her signature “Waudever” flair. Waud’s impact on Ohio’s Top 40 scene, particularly at 92X and The Blitz, helped elevate Columbus radio to a level that rivaled larger markets, nurturing talents who carried her influence to cities like New York and San Francisco. For Central Ohio, she was more than a DJ—she was a voice of joy, a symbol of Friday night freedom, and a reminder of radio’s power to unite. As one fan put it on RadioDiscussions.com, “God bless ‘ya Waud!” Her story, from the airwaves of 92X to the podcasting crawlspace, is a testament to a career built on passion, personality, and an unbreakable bond with her listeners.

Suzy Waud is back on the air.

Free app called: total media radio

Station is: Pure Rock 105 WXTQ-FM

She’s on Mon-Fri from  2pm-6pm