Your Latina Girl Carmen Contreras will snatch a microphone in a heartbeat and make you turn up the volume! She’s a beast on the mic, the best in the business and the uncontested Queen of Radio in Houston! After all, she’s been captivating Houston listeners for more than 15 years.
So, how’d she get to that Number 1 spot in the hearts of Houstonians? In the 90’s, a young Carmen walked into the office of local radio station 97.9 The Box to claim a prize her little brother won off a rap contest, and she walked out with a job.
Okay, so she didn’t walk out with the title Your Latina Girl Carmen Contreras, but beginning with that fateful day she was on her way. Her modest radio career started in the Research Department. One day, while at work, she noticed the on-air personality never came back to the studio. The airwaves were silent. No music was playing! Right then and there, Carmen took it upon herself to start playing music. But how? Well, Carmen is the first to admit, “I’m nosey!” Every day, she’d been watching the DJ pushing buttons and going live on the air. How hard could it be? Well, she started pushing buttons and even played some Public Enemy music. But…ummm…it was the “dirty” version! She quickly realized the error and got the right version on the radio. She wouldn’t be on her own for long, though. Her boss was only three blocks away, yet was determined to teach Carmen how to run the radio equipment over the phone!
Carmen quickly learned the equipment, and was determined to keep learning. Her boss, Robert Scorpio, saw that radio passion in her and gave her a chance to open the microphone and talk to the station’s listeners – the very people who would stay with her throughout her entire career to this day! Carmen still remembers the first song she talked into – it was "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” by Digable Planets! Ever since that day, a TRUE RADIO STAR was born, and since then she has continued to rock Houston’S radio airwaves on 97.9 The Box, Hot 95.7 and most currently on 93.7 The Beat.
Carmen believes in winning and loves the competitive nature of the radio industry because it keeps her on her toes! She brings talent and passion to
the airwaves, and she IS Houston.
But life on the air isn’t just about playing music, introducing the next song and giving away great prizes. Carmen Contreras is responsible for representing all kinds of companies that depend on her unique brand and loyal followers to support their businesses. Most recently, she served as the spokesperson for Texas Bay Credit Union for four years, which also partnered with the Houston Rockets and The Houston Astros. Carmen has participated in throwing out the first pitch at several of the Houston Astros home games. She was also the featured career speaker at a recent meeting of the “Ladies of Excellence” at the Aldine 9th Grade School as part of a mentorship program created and operated by Texas Executive Women (TEW). And she can’t wait to do it again next year! The girls love talking with her about her journey to success, dressing for job interviews and preparing them for life after high school with her powerful message. She goes above and beyond for her community with the numerous events she volunteers for every year.
Carmen has expanded her media empire outside of radio, most recently serving as a contributor to the Isiah Factor Uncensored on Fox 26, adding her flair to stories about music, entertainment and social media. But Carmen hasn’t done any of this alone. Behind her is a strong family that starts with her loving husband of 12 years Kelton Smith. Together, they have 5 fur babies, their dogs Sasha (the mom) and her grown pups Paul Wall, Ciarra and Fendii, and the new comer Larry…no relation. Lol!