-
10 Questions with ... Nikki Vivas
October 25, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started at KCHZ/Kansas City as part-time on-air/promotions. In 2013, I left KCHZ to be Promotions Director and part-time on-air for KMXV/Kansas City. I left radio in 2015 for television at KMBC 9 News and went back to KCHZ in 2016 to do middays. Then in 2018, I came to 99.7 The Point and started “Ponch and Nikki in The Morning.”
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Just like many of us in radio, I started as an intern. I drove home from college at Mizzou every single weekend for three years to work for free…that’s how you know you love something!
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I’ve always had a special relationship with music. I never could sing, but boy, could I talk! I walked into a local Kansas City radio station the day I graduated high school in 2006 and said, “I don’t exactly know what I want to do, but I know I want to be a part of this.” That’s when the love story began.
3. What’s it like for you to crack the mic every morning in your hometown?
Honestly, it’s surreal. I remember being that kid on the school bus listening to my favorite morning show and now, I have my own morning show! I’ll never take for granted the fact I was able to start my career here in KC! What a blessing!
4. Ponch has such great history in the market. How does the morning show set the table for the rest of The Point’s broadcast day?
He absolutely does! I grew up listening to Ponch - we’re family. Anyone in the industry knows that a good morning show comes down to chemistry and, thankfully, we have that! It’s simple, we really do try to start our listeners’ days by making them laugh and feel like they’re our family.
5. Who would be a “dream guest” to have plug in across from you guys one morning?
Oh, hands down, Adele. She has a great story and I’m pretty sure we’d be besties.
6. You’ve also worked in television. What was that part of your career like?
Television is a different animal for sure. Let’s just say I prefer arriving to the show in yoga pants rather than doing a full face of makeup at 2:30am.
7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How does station stay visible and involved in the community these days?
Live and local morning shows are SO important! No one will understand your listeners and the market like a local talent, period. Our entire station loves the KC community and supports several charities. During the pandemic we created a new bit to highlight local restaurants and shops to ensure they stayed afloat. We love KC!
8. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in radio—especially young women?
Be bold, be yourself and set boundaries.
Too many times, women keep quiet and make themselves smaller to make other people feel comfortable. Shatter that glass ceiling, babes!
9. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)?
KCHZ 95.7 The Vibe and I grew up listening to my now morning show partner, Ponch. Talk about coming full circle!
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I have been very fortunate to work under many incredible people. I owe much of who I am to Maurice DeVoe. Maurice showed tough love and always challenged me. He helped develop my sound. Ponch is another one - he taught me how to build and maintain industry relationships, what it takes to connect to listeners, and that radio is the most intimate and interactive medium there is. Now, I’m being molded by an Industry Legend – Mike Kennedy!
Bonus Questions
With the T-Mobile Center at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a Ponch & Nikki listener event?
Kelly Clarkson, Drake, Adele (I’ll sing backup) Dan + Shay and Elton John.
-
-