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10 Questions with ... Brandon Nivens
September 29, 2020
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. The team at AMI Radio felt like this would be a great nostalgia station, and one that not many people are currently broadcasting. At this point, these 90’s songs are so classic and have recognition, but it's sometimes hard to find a spot for them on current formats. So, we made our own Alternative Rock format that is focused solely on that sound and vibe of the 90’s.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I've been doing this radio stuff for 16 years. I graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2004, and soon after started part-time with 99.1 KSEK in Pittsburg, KS. I became full-time Production Director, later that year, and worked until 2015 with KSEK-A/F, and also KLKC-A/F and AM out of Parsons, KS. My career led me to AMI Radio Group in 2015, where I started in Joplin, MO as a Program Director for 104.3 KCAR and 99.7 KBTN. I am now the Rock-Brand Manager for AMI Radio in Texarkana, TX and Joplin, MO, where I’m PD and DJ on 107.1 KJML, 99.1 KSEK (where I began), 104.3 KCAR, and our newest station 95.1 The River, KEWL.
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
Since I was a young boy, I listened to the radio non-stop. I grew up in the 80’s, the era of cassette tapes. I was an only-child, so I learned to entertain myself. I would pretend to be a DJ using a dual-cassette deck, recording myself and the music on one tape, and swapping out the other tape while talking between the songs. I still have a copy of it somewhere.
2. What led to the launch of an Alternative-based 90’s station branded as 95.1 The River?
The team at AMI Radio felt like this would be a great nostalgia station, and one that not many people are currently broadcasting. At this point, these 90’s songs are so classic and have recognition, but it's sometimes hard to find a spot for them on current formats. So, we made our own Alternative Rock format that is focused solely on that sound and vibe of the 90’s.
3. Tell us about the station’s positioning statement: The 90’s Rocked, And Still Do… Here.
It's just a quick, solid, identifier of what we are. A little past-tense with a little current-tense play on words.
4. Give us the 411 on the music and imaging on the station.
The music is the Alternative Rock sound of the 90’s, with a few artists from the following decade thrown in to fill it out. It's not all hard rock, it goes through the motions. You might hear Nirvana, then Alanis Morrisette, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, No Doubt, etc. The artists from the 21st century are the ones that were highly influenced by the 90s sound.
5. How extensive is the station’s library?
I think it hits all the beats of the 90’s rock sound. It's lean and mean. We tried to build a deck of Aces. It will grow over time and adapt but will always have that core 90’s alt rock sound and same core artists.
6. How are you marketing the station?
We are using social media ad campaigns, website splashes, we are looking into TV and Newspaper ad campaigns. Billboards. Anything we can do to get the word out. And of course, good old word-of-mouth is always great.
7. What would surprise people most about 95.1 The River?
Some of the songs you may hear, we call "OH WOW" songs. You know them, but they've slipped away over the years, but they still deserve airtime. We have a ‘Nothing But Nineties Nooner’ hour every weekday that highlights some of our 90’s hidden gems.
8. Your involved in multiple stations at AMI Radio Group. Tell us about your other duties and take us through a typical workday.
We all wear multiple hats these days in the business. When I first arrived, I have to get that complimentary Donut Shop Keurig cup and greet the front office ladies. I sneak into the Rock studio and look at my to do list. It really changes every day. That's what I like about radio, it's always something new. Commercial production orders may pop up. Some days I do music logs, some days I focus on imaging production, some days I record 6 shows for the weekend. Some days I go out live on location to broadcast or do a station event. It's always different. Website/Social media interaction is daily. And, once the coffee kicks in, I do my daily Rock 107.1 on-air afternoon show and my 95.1 The River afternoon show.
9. What is your favorite part of your job?
The great team I work with is my favorite part of the job. They're all passionate and professional about the work we do, and they all feel like a family.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Taking a quick coffee break, to hear the other DJs best movie quotes. We've quoted entire scenes before.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Sometimes there's Live Broadcasts, sometimes visiting my lady in Arkansas, sometimes a motorcycle adventure, sometimes mowing the lawn.
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Well I have to go with Kansas City Royals and The Kansas City Chiefs.
First record ever purchased?
Probably “The Curley Shuffle” by the Jump N' The Saddle Band. That or “Beat It,” by Michael Jackson. Fun fact: I still have my original 45s of each.
First concert?
First concert: Sawyer Brown.
First ROCK concert: Sammy HagarFavorite band of all-time?
Too many! Tool, Thin Lizzy & Pink Floyd are at the top probably.
Anything else you would like to add?
Nah, I've rambled on about myself enough. Thanks for having me!
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