10 Questions with ... Nate Campbell

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Clear Channel Communications/Mediabase, Triple A and Classic Rock tracker 2000-2001 ... Academic Instructor of Media Studies, Radio and Podcasting at Sonoma State University 2000-present ... PD/MD KRSH (The Krush) and BOB-FM/Santa Rosa 2006-2011 ... News Director, KZST/Santa Rosa 2011-2016 ... KVYN (The Vine) Wine Down Media 2018-present..

1. How did you become interested in radio?

In 1981, I was six years old and my Dad was driving me to morning daycare laughing uncontrollably at some comedian on the Alex Bennett Show on KMEL. Who is this man making my Dad laugh so hard? Turns out it was Robin Williams. In 1982 KFOG flipped to Rock and Dave Morrey and M Dung grabbed a hold of me, along with the format, and that began my interest. Christian Slater in Pump Up the Volume and Chris in the Morning on Northern Exposure may also have had some effect on me.

2. Tell us about the new company that purchased KVYN.

An energetic and entrepreneurial young couple from Los Angeles, Will and Julissa Marcencia, with Wine Down Media purchased Napa's two Heritage stations in 2017. They've worked for Univision and Julissa's father is the owner of the Lazer radio network. They are community-minded, hands-on owners who are about to move us into a brand-new state-of-the-art studio.

3. Why did you choose to program it as a Triple A station?

It's a format I believe in. We are hyper-local; the only stations in Napa and we really don't have to be concerned with ratings. The demographics of the wine country react well to it. There's a lot of room for diverse, hybrid programming within Triple A. And I'd say about 50 to 75% of the bands/artists that roll through this area are Triple A acts, between Bottlerock, Live In the Vineyards and other winery concerts, plus our local clubs

4. How would you describe the music mix on the station?

Our Gold base is a mix of old school KFOG meets Adult Hits with a wide diversity. Our currents are Triple A heavy, mixed in with a little Alternative and Hot AC. Plus we play local artists. Big Rick Stuart hosts our 10 at 10 and our Sunday Brunch Vibes show. Some inspiration from all the stations I've worked for go into my mix, including The Krush (Americana) and BOB-FM, but also splashes of KZST (AC), KJZY (Smooth Jazz), and KBBL (New Country) on the Gold side

5. What are some of your biggest challenges setting up the station?

Hard to call any of this a challenge, living and working in radio in Napa. But we face what all stations face in the evolving media landscape. Getting folks who turned us off years ago to turn us back on now that we are cool.

6. Have you begun to staff up yet?

The staff was set when I got here, but we've added some talent with Julie Morales in the afternoon. Bob St. Laurent is our veteran, and Big Rick is our legend. Very happy to have this crew.

7. How do you view KVYN fitting into the radioscape of the market?

Perfectly, in that we are the only local station in a county of 150,000. You can get most San Francisco stations here and that is always a challenge. But again, it's all about local, and we stress that, and we succeed. I think the Napa demographic has been hungry for this kind of change in the music of their local FM.

8. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Lack of diversity

9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Changes aren't permanent, but change is. Enjoy the ride, who knows how long it will last.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...

... turning on the radio.

Last non-industry job:

Record store

First record ever purchased:

Stevie Wonder/Paul McCartney "Ebony and Ivory" '45

First concert:

Parents tell me it was The Dead in '74. I was in the womb.

Favorite band of all-time:

The Mother Hips

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

Wine tasting ... watching the Warriors, Niners and Giants ... playing with the family.