Q 104’s TJ McEntire

She loves Life! and animals! and people! and country music!

If you live in Kansas City and have listened to the radio at anytime during the last 18 years, then you have heard the voice of TJ McEntire. She is the afternoon DJ on Q104, the Number One station for new country. While TJ loves country music — she also loves the two furry friends that greet her when she comes home. Meet Tito McEntire-Simmons and Skitch McEntire-Simmons!

A Lifetime of Loving Animals!
TJ McEntire was born on April 8 in Independence, MO. TJ had a regular childhood. Her love for animals started as a child. TJ found a stray dog roaming the neighborhood. Like many of us, she begged her mom to let her keep him. In the end, Mom relented. The dog was hers.
TJ named the dog Pepperoni. She isn’t sure why she chose this name, but Pepperoni was just one of many childhood pets, including bunny rabbits, gerbils, and more. She was surrounded by them and just loved it. Whether Pepperoni started her love for animals or just expanded her love, is a moot point. TJ’s love of animals  is huge. She enjoyed having pets in her life and she has fond memories of her childhood pets.

Off To College
But life changes and TJ went off to college, and the pets stayed at home. While she missed them, school was the priority. It was here that she first connected with radio. A supportive teacher listened to her read aloud in class. He suggested that she would be a good radio announcer. So she volunteered at the college radio station and found out she loved it!
After graduation, TJ found a job in radio. Now, she could talk and people would listen. She could be happy, have fun, and get paid to do it!  It didn’t get any better than that —  TJ’s career was launched!
As with most professionals, TJ didn’t start out with her dream job. She started working at a small radio station. She worked hard. Then she had a chance to come to Kansas City and join the staff of Q104. She said yes — she was home.

Changes in Radio
While much has changed in radio through the years, including the owners of Q104, TJ says her role as DJ has stayed the same. Her “job” as a DJ is to play current hits and help launch new music from new and current groups.
In 2001, Q104 was one of the first stations to play music from the new group named Rascal Flatts. She remembers hearing them play the song Praying For Daylight in the station’s lunch room. Since that time, this single has sold millions of CDs. It is exciting to be on the cutting edge and hear new music from popular artists. It is also really fun to hear songs from new groups. She feels a sense of responsibility to help them reach listeners.
She loves her listeners and can’t wait to get to work each day. But, work isn’t just being on the radio from 3-7 pm, Monday – Friday, she is also the music director. So when she isn’t on the air, she is listening to the tons of new singles that come in to the station, talking to record promotion people, doing music logs, handling production, and voicing or writing & voicing commercials. It is a heavy workload.

Creating a Family
As soon as TJ felt comfortable in her career and at home at the studio, she decided it was time to create a home that she would love as much as her work. Creating a family is not just buying a home and selecting comfortable furniture. It means surrounding yourself with the people and animals you love.
Finding just the right pet to fit you and your lifestyle takes time and patience. And, as many pet lovers know, the right animal often finds you — at exactly the right time.

Finding the Perfect Fit
As she searched for the perfect pet, TJ learned more about the different breeds. She also learned more about the local shelters and rescue groups. She became an advocate of adoption. She decided to volunteer her talent and time to help these groups raise money to rescue all types of animals.
In the past few years, she has helped with events that support the Greater Humane Society of Kansas City, including the Kansas City Pet Telethon and Dog-n-Jog.
The first event is a 3-hour pet telethon held early in the year, February or March. The telethon is telecast on Channel 38 on a Sunday evening. This event invites viewers to call in and pledge money to support the Greater Humane Society of Kansas City. Last year this event raised over $150,000 and represents an essential part of the this groups budget.
The second event is Dog-n-Jog. This event is held on the Country Club Plaza in June. Dog lovers bring their dogs to the Plaza and walk, stroll and run through the course. This year, Dog-n-Jog raised more than $50,000 for shelter animals through registration fees, sponsorships, day-of activities and pledge collections.
“Dog-n-Jog is so much fun. You have people and dogs all over the Plaza for several hours on a Sunday morning! It is just fun,” says TJ.

A New Home For Tito
While she was working as a volunteer, Tito found TJ. When Tito came into her life it was love at first sight. A lovable boxer, he wasn’t just a family member, he also is her protector. When Tito is around, he is checking out the perimeter, pacing the room, and only barking when necessary. When he is convinced all is safe, he will settle down and rest.
Early in the relationship, TJ had Tito neutered. She is a strong proponent of spay and neuter. “Why wouldn’t you? It is not only better for their health, but there are plenty of animals born each year, there is no reason to add to the pet population.” Says TJ.
Tito is very sensitive to humans. TJ remembers a time when the young child of a good friend was terrified of dogs. Tito was just a pup. He calmly walked over to her, put his chin on her leg and waited for her to accept him. In less than a week, the little girl was in love with Tito and not afraid of animals any longer. Tito had showed her the power of animals. 

Unconditional Love + Patience = Unbelievable
As her relationship with Tito grew, TJ realized he was lonely. She worked long hours. When she was away from him he was lonely. He need company, a best friend. So, along came Skitch. Skitch is an adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Skitch is larger than most Cavalier King Charles — but no less lovable. When you first meet him, his personality is apparent He rarely speaks. He just spreads love. And he sticks like glue to TJ. So not only did Tito gain a best friend, TJ gained another member of her family.
As the relationships with Tito and Skitch solidified, TJ married the human love of her life — Matt Simmons, on December 12, 2008. Now her family is complete.

Advice to Others
As a child, TJ learned a lot about animals and their amazing talents. As she grew to adulthood, she took her time to find the right animals for her lifestyle. Being a responsible pet owner, means finding the right pet for your lifestyle, being financially prepared to take care of the animals and making a long term commitment to the animals, who become part of your family.
With time and patience, Tito and Skitch helped TJ create the perfect family. Along the way, TJ used her talents to help other pets find their perfect home.
With TJ what you see is what you get — she is an open book! And, something she won’t tell you — she talks to her dogs like they are actual people!
Her advice to others: “Take time to find the right pet(s) and be a responsible pet owner. Adopting an animal is a great way to expand your family. When you are ready, do your research and then make the commitment. You will never regret it — I love my life!"