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A radio veteran of more than 20 years, Bob Rivers got his start in Connecticut where
he was heard on WAVZ, WNHC, WCDQ, WELI, WFIF, WCCC, WWCO, and last but certainly
least, WLIS. With no more stations left to conquer in Connecticut, Bob moved on
to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. A program director stint at WECM
in Claremont, New Hampshire cured Bob of any further desire to be in management.
"I worked at 20 stations in about six years," says Bob. "I wanted to make every
mistake possible in this business."
After a brief stint as keyboardist/songwriter for a 70's bar band, Bob returned
to radio at legendary rock station WAAF, Worcester/Boston. He began writing song
parodies called Twisted Tunes, which were syndicated by the ABC Radio Network.
In 1987, Bob left WAAF for WIYY in Baltimore. "Baseball was berry berry good to
me in Crabtown," says Bob, whose 11-day on-air marathon during the '88 Orioles losing
streak earned him the NAB Promotion of the Year award, and helped set the stage
for a future nervous breakdown.
In 1989, Bob moved to Seattle where he underwent drug rehab (really!), an "off-air
promotion" for which the now-sober Bob was awarded the opportunity to keep his job
and his family.
Other prizes Bob has collected include an RIAA Gold Record for Atlantic Records'
"Twisted Christmas," which has sold over 1.6 million units. Bob was twice voted
Radio & Records' major market Rock Personality of the Year and has been Billboard's
Radio Personality of the Week. At the Puget Sound Radio Broadcasters Association's
annual awards banquet, the Soundies, Bob has won three People's Choice Awards for
the Best Minute of the Year in Seattle Radio. Bob says of his Soundies, "I love
working in this town. I only have to do one minute of great radio per year."
Bob's Twisted Tunes are online at www.bobrivers.com, and Bob's home recording studio,
dubbed "Bob's Garage," has hosted live performances by Blue Oyster Cult, Randy Bachman,
Foghat, Collective Soul, Candlebox and a host of others.
Asked why Twisted Radio has been at the top of the ratings in Seattle for years,
Bob says: "Our team is the best ensemble cast I've ever heard in this business.
And we don't have to be shock jocks to be interesting."
Email Bob at
bob@kzok.com
Bob's Blog: Bob's
World
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