In high school, back in her hometown of Hartford, CT, Deanna Cruz used to read the morning announcements. “I never once thought that would be my career,” says the woman who would eventually make her way to Boston University, where she studied Broadcast Journalism with an eye on a career in news.

After continuing her education at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, and working behind the scenes at a television station in Boston, Deanna realized that radio combined two of her favorite things: music and talking.She became so passionate about it, in fact, that she commuted three hours every weekend from Boston to Albany, NY, where she landed her first part-time radio job at WJMZ, Jamz 96.3. Her next stop was in New Bedford, where she worked on air at WFHN, Fun 107, before landing her “dream job” at WWKX, Hot 106.

Her career continued to grow in Providence, RI as Deanna took on one of her biggest roles, the host of the Rise & Grind Morning Show.  ”I never realized how many hours I REALLY need to function, but I’ve gotten used to maybe 4 or 5 hours a night.  Napping is key!” says the morning show personality who has gotten to interview some of the biggest names in music, like 50 Cent, Ludacris, Rihanna, John Legend, Chris Brown, Ludacris, Jamie Foxx and many more. In her spare time, she’s involved in community work, volunteering with Big Sisters and training for marathons with Team In Training’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Looking back over the path that led her into radio, it all makes sense
that Deanna would wind up doing what she does. “Music was lacking in my
life,” she reflects. “I needed it.”

You can hear Deanna Cruz daily from 6am – 10am on www.hot1063.com/listenlive