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10 Questions with ... Nate Rose
April 13, 2021
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I’ve spent 25 years in radio--all in Michigan. I started out “Rocking the Docks and Shaking the Lakes” in Bad Axe at WLEW and my next move teamed me up with April who is also my wife of 21 years in Hillsdale at WMXE. We have managed to work together and not kill each other these past 24 years. I’ve done country, modern rock and sports talk as well as high school sports and college play-by-play over the years. I have been PD and Morning show co-host of Nate & April on WIOG the past 9 years.
1. How has navigating the pandemic made you a better programmer?
I’m not sure if it’s made me a better programmer, but it has caused me to reevaluate ways to give our listeners an escape from the daily stress of the pandemic while also not ignoring what is going on.
2. In addition to programming WIOG, you also do mornings. How do you and your co-host (and wife) April set the table for the rest of the station’s broadcast day?
It all starts with energy. We love having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously.
3. Who would be an ultimate dream guest that you’d love to have plug in across from you folks in the studio and why?
We would love to get Dwayne Johnson because…well, he’s The Rock!
4. You guys are deeply involved in the community. What are some of the charity events that you’ve been a part of really stand out?
We recently wrapped up our annual Covenant Kids radiothon. We broadcasted from three different sites and had video contact from the volunteer site so we could still get a feel for when the phones were ringing. I never thought we could pull off a Radiothon during a pandemic but our listeners helped us raise the most money we have raised for Covenant in a single year.
5. Obviously, it’s been tough to get out and be with your audience. What are some of the things that the station has been doing to keep engaged?
Social Media has been a great tool to help keep in touch with listeners. We were finally able to do a socially distanced Easter Ham giveaway, which is the first we have done in over a year and it was great to get out and have some sort of normalcy.
6. What social media platforms have been working well for you lately?
Honestly Facebook has always been our go to and we still get our best response. We are also on Instagram and TikTok.
7. What led you to a career in radio?
I was in college trying to figure out wanted I wanted to do, and one day I heard a commercial on the radio for Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. The next day I went in and signed up and dropped out of college.
8. What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
Most of us don’t do it for the money. Once radio gets in your blood that’s it. Whenever I am watching a show or movie I’m always thinking if that could be a topic we could use on the show. It’s just part of my life. It’s 24/7.
9. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
I was a huge sports fan growing up and hands down Ernie Harwell was and is the greatest play-by-play announcer. I would fall asleep listening to Ernie call Detroit Tigers games on WJR as a kid and was fortunate enough to meet him and interview him a few times. A total class act!
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
25 years in radio and you run into a lot of people who help shape your career in some way. I’d have to say my wife has had the biggest influence on my career. She has been doing this just as long as I have, and I always run everything by her because I respect her opinion and she always has a fresh way of looking at things.
Bonus Questions
With The Dow Event Center at your disposal and an unlimited budget, what 3-5 acts would you pull together for a Post-COVID listener appreciation party?
Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber and Post Malone.
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