10 Questions with ... Dan Rios

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My 1st gig in radio lasted 10 years. At 19 I was hired on at KNCN C101, the station I grew up listening to, as the Mid-6a, weekend part-time jock. I worked my way up from nights, to middays, to PM Drive and on to co-host The 2 Guys In The Morning w/t Rex & Rios until 2006. Tried my hand at sales and marketing and had a great time doing it. I returned to C101 in 2017 to reunite with my old morning partner, Rex Gabriel, for Rex & Rios 2.0 through Jan. 2020. In July 2020 I joined KYRK 106.5 The Shark as the new morning host. Currently I’m Program Director and Morning Show host of 106.5 BandTango Radio. 

1.  How did you first become interested in radio?

I always thought the guys I listened to on my way to school each morning sounded like they were always having fun, so I thought yeah, I want to do that!

2.  What led you to working at KYRK/Corpus Christi. TX?

I’ve worked in the corporate environment for many years and when you have an opportunity to work with a truly local company, you take it. And I couldn’t be happier! I know I can deliver great radio to our listeners, leaps and bounds better, in this setting. 

  3.  You just rebranded the station from “106.5 The Shark” to “106.5 BANDTANGO RADIO.” Why?

It super serves our format, and our demos better. It’s a step into the future for us, now. 

  4. Tell us about the station’s new slogan “New Alternative First.” 

Instead of highlighting classic-based songs or gold-based alt artists that have been played over and over, we are building on the new artists and new tracks in the alternative music market, embracing them fully.  

5. Explain your position with new music. 

Time spent listening has declined over the years in radio. The only way to create new superstars is to play the record and create the celebrities in music that requires a tighter rotating playlist with shorter turn times. You can‘t take the average TSL and apply it to every daypart. BANDTANGO Inc brought us our hour-by-hour management ideas that I can implement in my own way. 

  6. What are your plans for extending BANDTANGO RADIO brand online?

We have things were working on we can’t quite talk about yet, but we’re looking to do some things with the technology BANDTANGO Inc L.A. is working on. It’s definitely something way different most are used to.  

7. How does it feel to be working across the street from the station you spent more than a decade of successful years at number one at?

I still have a ton of respect for everyone over there. Honestly, it doesn’t feel all that different because most of the listeners have made the short trip down the dial with me! 

8. What is a typical workday like for you Dan?

My day starts at 5am with a quick check of the news, sports, weather and anything else that’s popping. From 6am to 10am, Monday-Friday, you’ll get as much of the “real” me as you’re going to get. Fake sucks. So if I slipped and fell out of a boat and lost a giant fish in front of a row of hot chicks…you’ll hear about it. Or if my iPhone is at 10% and my Apple Watch has been dead for 2 days but I’m still wearing it…you’ll hear about it.   

9.  Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________?

A kiss from my wife before I leave the house. 

  10.  What would surprise people most about Dan Rios?  

I’m a geek when it comes to astronomy. I own several telescopes and i can name the 4 largest moons of Jupiter by heart. Neeeerrrrrd!!

What are weekends like for you?

Did the sea dry up? No? Then I’m going fishing! 

  What are your favorite restaurants to eat at in Corpus?

Bellino’s (Italian) And Whataburger duh!

  Favorite food?

Steak

Favorite drink?

Margarita on the rocks (1800 Reposado ONLY)

  Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

UFC: Nick and Nate Diaz…Diaz Army!!!
Football: Dallas Cowboys
Basketball: San Antonio Spurs

  First record ever purchased?

Michael Jackson Thriller

First concert?

Don’t laugh…Brooks n Dunn  

Favorite band of all-time?

Nonpoint  

Favorite new band over the past year?

Girl In Red  

Anything else you would like to add?

Faith Has No Foes.