Audacy Hot AC “Mix 96.5” KHMX Houston has signed morning hosts Sarah Pepper and Jessie Watt to three year contract extensions.
Pepper has been with the Houston cluster since 2008 first co-hosting mornings at defunct sister CHR “Hot 95.7” KKHH until its flip to Variety Hits “95.7 The Spot” at the end of 2016. She moved to KHMX in April 2017 to launch “The Morning Mix” first with Geoff Sheen and Lauren Kelly. She also pulls double-duty hosting a morning show for Midwest Communications CHR “Hot 96” WSTO Evansville IN. Pepper previously co-hosted mornings at WSTO from 2003-08 before moving to Houston and returned to the station in 2019 first hosting afternoons before moving back to mornings.
Watt joined the morning show in January 2020 to replace Kelly. She previously worked at Audacy Country 99.5 WYCD Detroit where she was morning show producer and also spent time as promotions coordinator and board op.
Audacy Houston has announced contract extensions with Mix 96.5 (KHMX-FM) morning show co-hosts Sarah Pepper and Jessie Watt. The duo are heard on “The Morning Mix, weekdays from 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CT.
“We are overjoyed that Houston will continue to wake up with Sarah Pepper and Jessie Watt on Mix 96.5,” said Melissa Chase, Vice President of Programming, Audacy Houston. “These incredible women encapsulate true selflessness in giving back to our community, along with creating a live and local show that creates joy for our listeners each morning.”
“I am over the moon about signing for another three years in Houston,” said Pepper. Market Manager Sarah Frazier and I have been together for 14 of my 15 years in Houston, and I am beyond excited to continue working with the best market manager in the business. A morning show is only as great as the programmer who advocates on their behalf, and we are so blessed with our captain, Melissa Chase. I have been in this business long enough to know the goods when you have the goods and Jessie Watt is the goods. She is the peanut butter to my jelly and the sprinkles to my ice cream, and even though she makes me dance on TikTok, I can’t imagine doing this show with anyone else.”
“Mix 96.5 makes Houston home and I’m ecstatic to re-sign the station that encapsulates Houston’s community and culture,” said Watt. “I am delighted to continue working alongside the best morning show personality and human being in the business, Sarah Pepper. Thank you to my bosses, Sarah Frazier and Melissa Chase, for continuing to create an inspiring and creative environment that encourages us to serve Houston.”
Pepper is an award-winning broadcaster with over 20 years experience in radio. Pepper’s work within the community of Houston and the surrounding areas with Charity and Philanthropic work has been recognized by the Media Alliance of Houston with their Radio Personality of the Year Award in 2015, 2018 and 2022. She uses her platform as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and her service has been recognized by OustSmart Magazine for 13 years in a row as their Reader’s Choice Radio Personality of the Year. Pepper’s voice can also be heard at various sporting events across Houston, including as in-stadium announcer for the Houston Dash, Houston’s professional women’s soccer team, NCAA Final Four and the USWNT. Pepper is represented by Heather Cohen of the Weiss Agency.
Watts’ career in radio began in Detroit after graduating from Central Michigan University (fire up chips!) in 2018 after studying Broadcast and Cinematic Arts. Although she grew up in Michigan, she’s always dreamed of living somewhere under the Southern sun. Jessie loves to meet new people and make new friends, including petting any dog she meets. She spent most of her free time teaching competitive dance to kids ages 5-18 and enjoys being a mentor to her students. Jessie has a huge sweet tooth and craves everything sugary and covered in chocolate. She enjoys trying the many restaurants Houston has to offer with her fiancé and their rescue pup, Crosby.
