10 Questions with ... Nik Rivers

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Been doing this for a minute with stops in Elmira, NY (WNKI) New Hampshire (WJYY/WNHQ/WHOB), Boston (WAAF), Cape Cod (WPXC) West Palm Beach (WRLX Planet Radio 92.1/WPBZ 103.1 The Buzz), Albany, NY (WZMR 104.9 The Edge) Rochester, NY (WZNE/WFKL), Buffalo, NY (WLKK Alternative Buffalo 107.7/WBUF) and back to Rochester again.

1. Talk about your most recent multiple programming gigs in Buffalo and how they each helped you take the next step in your programming career.

For me, Buffalo was my longest stop in one market in my career. A lot of growth there happened both professionally, and personally. I got to launch a radio station, live through a pandemic, and start a family. It was at times the best stop during my career, and at times the worst. I got to successfully launch, curate, and grow a radio station and a culture (#AltFamily forever). I also got to experience how some company's micromanage and tie your hands, ignoring your experience and skill set, which was extremely frustrating. But in the end, it was a learning and growth experience which led me back to my current opportunity. I loved my time in Buffalo, and will be sad when I finally move back to Rochester. The city was great to me and my family.

2. You spent nearly 10 years in Buffalo, what led you back to Stephens Media Group/Rochester where you previously spent 5 years from 2008-2013?

Unfortunately, my time in Buffalo came to an end due to the pandemic. But fortunately, it let me spend nearly two years at home, watching my little girl grow up, which I wouldn't trade for the world. The timing of the opening at SMG happened to be perfect. After such an amazing experience the first time around, I was beyond thrilled to head back to Rochester to work with Mike Ninnie (GM) Bob Thornton (SMG National Director of Programming) and the rest of their amazing teams again.

3. How did it feel to walk back into the building again?

Crazy… it was déjà vu all over again? A lot has changed…yet a lot is still the same. Familiar faces and equipment have made this the easiest start to a new job in my career. Who says you can't go home again?

4. Talk about your new role as OM of WZNE (94.1 The Zone), AC WRMM (Warm 101.3), and Adult Hits WFKL (Fickle 93.3).

Kind of a weird feeling to be back here in charge of three stations that I have admired from afar for the last 10 years. It's a privilege to take the reins of a heritage station like Warm 101.3. With a legendary brand in the market, and a legendary local air staff, it's exciting to be in charge of WRMM to give it a fresh take, and lead it into the future. Speaking of heritage, The Zone (WZNE) is approaching 25 years as an Alternative station. There aren't many Alt stations in the country that can say that. Having been part of the station for 5 years a decade ago, it's an amazing feeling to be back on the air at The Zone as we approach a quarter of a century of playing Alternative music for Rochester, and surrounding areas. And WFKL is no slouch in terms of heritage either, as it has been playing its current "We Play Everything" playlist for over 15 years. These are all brands that have deep community ties, and reconnecting these stations to the local community after the last three pandemic years is a big focus moving forward.

5. You also host afternoons The Zone from 3-7p. How does it feel to be back on-air on the station?

Until now, I never have worked at the same station, doing the same air shift twice. But here we are, and it's a pretty great feeling. The first day in the studio, I got calls from listeners that remembered me from 10 years ago. It's really a great feeling to know that I made such an impact on their lives a decade ago, and that they are welcoming me back with open arms. The best part, I have yet to screw up saying the call letters on-air… yet.

6. How much has 94.1 The Zone and Fickle 93.3 changed since you left the stations 10 years ago?

Let's just say that the stations have taken their own paths over the last decade. For the most part, WFKL was in a very similar spot to when I left it in 2013. The library had grown some, but the sound and presentation of the station has remained the same. WZNE is a different story. There have been four PD's since I left in 2013, and each has put their own stamp on the station. There has been a new station voice (the super talented Brian Peck) added, a new logo for the station, new social handles, and a new overall sound. I feel that with all the leadership changes over the years, the station went through a bit of an identity crisis over the last decade. But, Josh Venable stepped in after our last PD's departure, and got things back on the right track. It's not your father's Zone anymore…. but it shouldn't be…we are 10 years down the road.

7. What's it like working with GM Mike Ninnie and SVP/Programming Bob Thornton again?

Everything that goes around, comes around, right? Mike is a great GM to work for. He gets why I am here, and lets me do my job from a programming standpoint. At the end of the day, we are all here to make money, but he understands that I am here to deliver him a product that will help us achieve that goal. It's great to be able to work again with Bob as well after all these years. We have stayed in touch periodically during my time in Buffalo, and when the opportunity to return to Rochester presented itself, I was beyond thrilled to take his call.

8. How do you and Stephens Media Alternative Format Captain Josh Venable work together?

Now what if I told you we are a two headed monster Alternative PD? We are really giving WZNE the benefit of having two format veterans with a ton of experience looking at the station each and every day, and then putting out the best product possible. Josh has his hands full with his other SMG rock stations that he oversees, and my plate is full with my other stations in the Rochester cluster. Having both of us watching over The Zone helps to make sure things don't fall through the cracks. I am the feet here on the ground here in Rochester, making sure all the imaging, talent, promotions and socials are humming along. Josh helps to oversee the music from Tulsa.

9. What is your favorite part of your job?

Not the 150 mile roundtrip daily drive to Buffalo, I can tell you that much. I just love being back at a company that allows their stations to be programmed on a local level, and to strive to have those stations match the communities persona that they are a part of. It makes me excited to be doing my job again.

10. Tell us about your Content Creator position at MendoWerks Magazine and your biggest take away from that experience.

You know, I wasn't expecting a call from Bill Dunn, and Geordie Gillespie, but when they did call and explain what they were looking for, I was all in. My one positive take away from my time at TownSquare Media, was that I did hone and sharpen my content creation skills. The difference at MendoWerks, was they let me write about what I wanted to write about. And the results showed, as my pieces were some of their most viewed in 2022. I sincerely want to thank the team there, for reaching out to me, and providing an opportunity when I needed it most.

Tell us about your beautiful baby girl and how is the terrible two phase?

OMG! She is the absolute best. Yeah, she has her bad days, but for the most part, she is a super smart, music loving, wise ass…Kind of a combo of mommy and daddy. It's so amazing to see her turn into a little human each day. The things she says shock us both at times. We also discovered that she really enjoys AWOLNATION's debut album.

How much has being a dad changed your lifestyle?

More than I have space here to say. I gotta say, it sucked when Entercom/Audacy blew up the Alt format a month after our little girl was born, but in retrospect it turns out it was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I was able to spend the last 2+ years at home, and saw so many things I would have missed if I was at work. I saw her first steps, heard her first words, and got to have nonstop daddy daughter time. Being a Girl Dad is the best.

Favorite Beverage?

Mornings – Dunkin Medium Regular, Days – Coke, Evenings – Irish Whiskey on the rocks.

Favorite Food?

Pizza. All day every day…Except Buffalo Style Pizza…And I don't mean buffalo chicken wing pizza. Buffalo NY has its own style of pizza. Somewhere between a NYC thin crust, and a Chicago Deep dish…and it's just not good. I love ya Buffalo, but your pizza game is weak.

Favorite Restaurant in Buffalo?

My favorite local spot is actually in Niagara Falls. A Little place called the Griffon Gastropub. The best damn chicken sandwich you've ever had. Also, a shout out to the Union Pub and The Swanee House, for some of the most underrated wings in town (Chris Payne can vouch for em')

Favorite Casino?

Locally here in NY, a place called Del Lago just down the Thruway in Waterloo. In Las Vegas, it's Aria, a truly amazing property. And if I'm feeling really adventurous, I pop into a place called the Aztec Inn. If you know, you know.

It's baseball season and the Yankees are your team. Give us your pre-season prediction: How many wins will the Yankees have in 2023 and how far will they in the postseason?

Well last year Vegas had them at o/u 92.5 wins. This year they are at 95.5, so Vegas thinks they are better. As do I. I think they crack the century mark with a 101-61 record. The addition of Rodon to the starting rotation, and a full year of Bader in CF make the difference, and they finally get past the Astros to meet and greet your NY Mets in the World Series.

It was almost 20 years ago when you first answered All Access 10 Questions and I asked you about your hobbies. How many of these still apply today: Playing my Guitar, golfing, softball, watching NFL games, and playing Madden on the PS2?

Dear lord, twenty years!!! Wow! I haven't had as much time to play guitar, but my daughter is fascinated with my guitars, so that may have to come back. I still golf as much as possible, and still am as average as possible. I watch my NY Giants religiously during the season. And got my latest copy of Madden 23 for Xmas, now on the PS4. So, yup things haven't changed much at all. lol