Radio Hosts

Karen the Metal Mistress Known to generations of dedicated Hard Rock listeners as “The Metal Mistress”, Karen spent her early years listening to rock radio and “Rocking Out” at local Baltimore clubs like Seagull Inn, Hammerjacks, The Rage, and Ocean City’s Back of the Rack. Karen graduated from The Broadcasting Institute of Maryland with a major in Radio Broadcasting. 

“My love for rock music put me on the path to pursue work in the music industry. I learned early on that playing an instrument wasn’t an option for me, so why not promote musicians and their music by working in radio?”  

For Karen, that realization became a dream job that played out for 18 years.  As The Metal Mistress in the making, Karen spent her formative years on the airwaves of Maryland’s Eastern Shore of Virginia & Delaware. She worked on-air until the mid-80s for Ocean City’s staple, 96 ROCK! Returning home she propelled her career by becoming the first female DJ at the legendary Hammerjacks from ’85-‘87. Adding her ear for great music to a budding Baltimore hotspot, this would soon become the world’s Hard Rock /Metal Shrine for new bands. 

“Working there was the highlight of my week! While the crowd partied to the Metal Rock songs blaring every night from the DJ booth or by the bands on stage, we partied while we worked, and had the freedom to hangout backstage during concerts!” 

Karen took flight in her success in ‘87 and started producing “ROCK NEWS” for 97Underground, Baltimore’s Only Heavy Metal. She added in an on-air shift as The Metal Mistress, playing requests and keeping loyal listeners company. In’91 Karen became Music Director and covered mid-days on WHVY/WXZL ROCK 103.1 in Annapolis, Maryland.

While on-air at 97Underground and ROCK 103.1 her long list of interviews included Aerosmith, Cinderella, David Coverdale, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Mustaine and Megadeth, Ted Nugent, Stone Temple Pilots, Scorpions, and L.A. Guns. Many of the bands 97Underground.com plays today were just breaking big while Karen was working at the powerhouse nightclub and WHVY/WXZL, giving her the opportunity to meet, promote, and party with the biggest acts and the hottest new bands. She still showcases the photos on Facebook honoring those days! 

Karen took a hiatus from radio in late ’98 to pursue a health fitness career as a Personal Trainer/ Pilates Instructor and has enjoyed huge success in both fields. The Metal Mistress is excited to be part of the 97Underground.com crew once again. Don’t miss Karen’s Hair-Band Hi-Lites on Wednesdays at 1 pm and Saturday mornings at 10 am EST!