10 Questions with ... Steven Lewis

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 2009-2012: WIOG/Saginaw, MI – On Air/PD
• 2012-2016: WCHD/WYDB/Dayton, OH- On Air/PD
• 2017-2019: iHeart Corporate Programming
• 2019- Present: WNDX/Indianapolis, IN- ON AIR/PD

1. What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize “this is it”?

I met a few people who worked at WKRQ when I was freshmen in college. I had planned on taking a job with Fidelity Investments and somehow they convinced me to intern with them instead. I was hooked. I called my parents and told them I had a new job and what it was. They asked me to call them back when I was sober. All good now though!

2. If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn’t then, would you still do it?

Absolutely. It has allowed me to meet people in all walks of life, go places that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, and created friendships that overcome time and distance.

3. Before we talk about WNDX, what are some of your radio career highlights before you joined 93.9 X in Indy?

Helping build three very successful summer shows from 2009-2011 at WIOG, reinvigorating WCHD in Dayton, and my favorite highlight is on the charity side. Being able to raise thousands of dollars for abused kids will always be my favorite career highlight

4. How long have you been at WNDX (93.9 X) in Indy and what makes this station unique?

The station launched a year ago May. I arrived in October. We have brought back a rock sound that hasn’t been in Indy for several years. Bands like Godsmack, Shinedown, Glorious Sons, and Disturbed have a radio home again. It has a very Midwest feel and the response has been amazing!

5. Can you give us the rundown of the WNDX on-air staff from mornings to nights?

Abe Kanon hosts our music intensive morning show, Lindsey Armstrong covers middays, I do afternoons, and Pablo is holding down the night show.

6. Let’s talk about the music on WNDX. Lots of Cumulus Rock stations play a nice balance of Active rock along with Alternative leaning rockers. How would you describe the music position on 93.9 X?

Familiar. You punch up WNDX and you almost immediately recognize the song. We have a great blend of familiar rock from the early to mid-2000s. We dip into the harder classic rock tracks like Ozzy, ACDC, and Motley Crue. We also pick the best of the rock alt records and put them into play. It is male focused, but there is definitely some broader appeal there musically.

7. Is there anything about doing Rock radio in Indianapolis that influences the music choices you make for 93.9 X?

A lot of the songs that we play were not played here when they first hit. There are a lot of records that are still fresh to this audience and we are conscious of that fact. Indy is a blue collar rock town at heart and we cater to that musically. We don’t move at a snails pace, but we are not afraid to play hits longer when they are working.

8. What's your take on new Active Rock music and the format as a whole?

I think the format has gone through some growing pains over the last few years. I think we are coming out on the other side. We are finally getting some bands that were household names making good music and rock radio is responding. The format needs the big names to support the up and coming acts. I think we also have to be willing to look at our traditional definition of Rock. 16 from Highly Suspect doesn’t have a guitar riff, but is still a great song. At the same time, Inside Out from FFDP is a hard driving song that is equally good. I am happy to see the format embracing both.

9. What are some of your favorite new Rock bands or songs in 2020?

Falling In Reverse , Fire From The Gods, and Glorious Sons have all made my personal playlists recently.

10. Finally, what do you like to do to relax when you’re not fully in radio mode?

I box, still love to spin in bars and events, attempt to get better at acoustic guitar, mod my jeep, hang out with my dogs, try to help raise a couple of teens, and probably too much video gaming