10 Questions with ... Sophia John

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Midwest Meat & Potatoes through and through! It wasn't until J Michael McKoy heard me on air and lured me to KKDM/Alternative in Des Moines. That was in late 1994, and we moved mountains with Alternative Music. KIWR/Alternative in Omaha is what I call home now. AND...We still move mountains with Alternative Music!!!

1. It's been far too long since we've chatted about how much success you are having with KIWR (89.7 The River) in Omaha programming an Alternative/Active Rock hybrid format on a massive 100,000 watt station at Iowa Western Community College. You mentioned to me the station is really strong with Men and Persons 18-34. Please share with us The River's ratings highlights and what you feel has led to the station's ratings growth in 2019?

If there's a man in the Omaha market between the ages of 18-44, he knows where to go for new music first, 89-7 The River. KIWR is Top 3 straight across the board next to a commercial heritage classic rock and country station. I'm especially proud of our 25-44 male numbers because they represent years of hard work and consistency.

2. The station has a long history of success using the slogan, The Cutting Edge Of Rock. Tell us about the station's hybrid format.

We're an Alternative that leans Active Rock. What works? Active Rock, and Alternative music that has guitars What doesn't work? Americana Folk, sorry we tried and that just doesn't work for our listeners

3. What is most important to you when deciding what new music to play?

Balance, we have to have a 60/40 balance of Alternative & Active Rock.

4. What are your biggest challenges running a station with a student staff?

When everything is finally clicking, it's time for them to graduate. It's a good problem to have!

5. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?

I'm interested in the whole package, the music, community events and the sales all on equal levels.

6. Tell us about the station's specialty programming.

We have a hodgepodge of local, Sunday School (Active Rock), The Message Is Clear (Christian) and Planet O (Local/regional), P.S. Blues -29 years in the market (Jazz, Folk, Americana) and New Day Rising (Alternative) Regional shows, Acoustic Café (Triple A) from Ann Arbor Michigan, and national specialty shows Full Metal Jackie (Active Rock), Skratch N Sniff, Mountain Stage and Subterranean and Passport Approved that mainly play on weekends.

7. What else may surprise people about 89.7 The River?

We have been an Alternative radio station for 23 years!

8. What is your favorite part of your job?

The community events we do. We are out there living life with our listeners. Suicide awareness and prevention with over 4,000 people who registered to walk this September. To Relay For Life raising awareness and funds for cancer. To Toys For Pine Ridge which raises new toys and propane funds for the children and elders of the Lakota Sioux Indians. Their county is literally the poorest county in "the country" next to Haiti. They make it ALL worth it.

9. What is a typical workday like for you as GM/PD?.

I'm up at 4:30am that is when I am my best. I work in the office for half the day and the other half is on the street. I program at home, when my head is clear.

10. What may surprise people to learn about you?

I love Fantasy Football!

What are weekends like for you?

Never long enough, rest, football or basketball on TV and plenty of sleep.

How often do you get back home and what are your top priorities when you get back to Cleveland?

Not as often as I would like, top priorities are family and friends.

What are your favorite places to eat in the area?

Best Steak House on Euclid

Favorite food?

Greek food and peanut butter Oreos cookies

Favorite drink?

Water & Diet Coke

Favorite new band over the past year?

I came to the party late, but at least I came! Highly Suspect.

Favorite song of 2019?

Highly Suspect "16"

Anything else you would like to add?

Just want to say, "Thank You" to you and All Access for being "the link" for me and so many. We get 90% of our new music from you. You are the true link between the labels and radio.