Today we’d like to introduce you to Gossiping Heifers, Michele Thompkins and Rochele Thompkins.
Michele, Rochele, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Sisters Michele and Rochele have always engaged in candid conversations, which lead to starting a podcast in 2007. The buzz of Kanye West stage crashing Taylor Swift was all that people were talking about and we debuted the first episode of our podcast.
The set up was in a spare room in the house that was also an office. A video camera, two chairs, camera lights and a Houston city backdrop were the set. We recorded a 30-minute video show once a week. At first, the show was just celebrity gossip and reality TV. Topics later involved to headline news, politics, dating, sex and offering tips on everything from dating to dealing with family issues. The show production was all done in-house.
In 2009, the show was picked up by KCOH AM, airing every Sunday night. The show gained popularity within a few months as listeners enjoyed the candid conversations. The Gossiping Heifers later transitioned to TV with a local TV network UTN but was short lived.
In 2006 the Gossiping Heifers were picked by Houston’s Amazing 102.5 FM airing every Saturday night. The show has featured local guests as well as well-known celebrities that include; Kevin Hart, Mo’qinue, Rickey Smiley, Guy Torry, KeKe Wyatt, Teddy Riley, NeNe Leakes and many more.
The show is currently in 6 markets that include Houston, TX, Hattiesburg, MS, Memphis, TN, South Carlonia and Canada. The show is available for on-demand listening on iTunes and has remained in the top 50 podcasts in comedy on Podomatic with an average weekly download of 2,500.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The Gossiping Heifers show is what Howard Stern refers to “Truth Radio”. It’s the conversations that people have behind closed doors, but not in public. We wanted to create content that was funny, truthful and covering mostly urban culture. We have a skit called “Conspiracy SIster”. This skit was created as a black power incentive with a comical twist tackling conspiracies and saving those in the sunken place.
In addition, to the hosts being women, it covers issues of women; motherhood, dating, and advice on letters sent in by listeners.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Success to us is being able to do what you love on your own terms. If we waited for someone to discover us, we would have waited forever. We truly believe that you have to plant your seeds every day, provide good content and stay humble. We also do not mind working with other artists, regardless if they have their own show, etc. We try to stay away from the crab in the barrel mentality thinking that there is not enough room for everybody. There is room for everyone who has a dream, a passion, but it is about what you put into it to get the results that you want.
We used social media for a majority of our marketing and to create a buzz. Every artist should take advantage of social media, it is a must-have for all brands.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Podomatic, Google Play, Player FM, Stitcher Radio. Our show airs on the following stations.
Fridays 6 PM Indie Central Radio
Saturdays 1 PM WQID Hot 105.3 FM
Saturdays 6 PM KMAZ Amazing 102.5 FM
Saturdays 9 PM Canada’s Hidden Gems Broadcasting
Sundays 6 PM WQID Hot 105.3 FM
Mondays 10 PM Freedom Radio
Tuesdays 10 PM Radio Memphis
Website GossipingHeifers.com
Instagram @gossipingheifers
Facebook /gossipingheifers
YouTube
Twitter @gossipheifer
Contact Info:
- Website: gossipingheifers.com
- Phone: 832-463-0525
- Email: gossipingheifers@gmail.com
- Instagram: gossipingheifers
- Facebook: facebook.com/gossipingheifers
- Twitter: twitter.com/gossipheifer
Image Credit:
C. Allen Photos
Artwork by Protege PR
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
