KEGL-FM 97.1 in Dallas to get new Nikki Sixx nightly radio show

Each night, Sixx will discuss music and lifestyle topics as he gives listeners a backstage look at the world and mind of a rock star. Delivered with his unique perspective and attitude, Sixx will welcome celebrity guests, recording artists, and fascinating characters from all walks of life. All this and more will be coupled with radio station playlists.

In addition, Sixx will host a two-hour original weekend program titled The Side Show Countdown with Nikki Sixx. Sixx will air top-charting songs, showcase new and emerging artists, and welcome guests from the worlds of music and entertainment. The program will be available for air Saturday or Sunday between 6 a.m. and midnight local time. Sixx will broadcast both programs from Premier's Los Angeles studios.

Premiere Radio Networks SVP of Programming Jennifer Leimgruber commented, "We are tremendously excited for the opportunity to work with Nikki Sixx and to make great radio together. The combination of his passion for music, unbridled creativity, humor, curiosity and dedication will create a program that surprises and entertains a wide range of listeners."

Q: Five nights a week -- wondered why you wanted to get into radio in such a big way?

A: It is time-consuming but you can do radio from anywhere you are. As a traveling musician or other ventures I’m in, when it takes me out of Los Angeles, I can take the show with me. The show is recorded throughout the day and chopped together and syndicated. We’re able to have the time to put together the show the way I and the team feel. It isn't live. There will be live elements in the future.

Q: Is the style of your show patterned after something else?

A: First and foremost it's the music. When I'm listening to radio, I'm either getting music that turns me on or I'm not. If I'm not, I get bored quickly. The host is important to me a la Jim Ladd. He would make me feel about the music that he was playing the music for me. 'Here's how so-and-so affected my relationship with music,' and the listeners understand that I probably know what I'm talking about. That's a big part of it.

The other part is that as the host, I’m hosting something that's important to people, with new musicians, accomplished musicians, photographers, there'll be a balance between music. And with co-host Kerri Kasem – not only is the pedigree of her father Casey Kasem, she also has the experience of doing it for so many years. There’s chemistry between the two of us. She often takes the opposite opinion. I love a debate.

Q: How far in advance are you recording?

A: We start on Monday. We have spent A LOT of time working and really getting everybody feeling comfortable for everything from the tempo all the way to what the studio looks like. This isn't just radio, we’re broadcasting it out through the Internet. The visual presentation is very important to me as an artist. My photography studio Funny Farm, when I bring in models that I’m photographing, there’s an unsettling feeling because it’s dark and demented but also comforting and cozy. Bring out the biggest creative elements of the models or artists that I’m working with. When you step into the sixth sense studio you’re immediately gong to be transported to another place which I think is important. you’re going to hear it on the radio.

We have Dog the Bounty Hunter – everybody that comes across the desk I'm able to say yes or no to. They’re not just trying to jam the same stuff that they’re pushing at the sister station across the street. Ozzy's cool. Dog the Bounty Hunter is completely white trash and off the rails. This photographer we love. We're into taking people that are from all walks of life. I think that gives the show a balance. Instead of being just musicians or gossipy. One thing I really despise is gossipy stuff.

Q: Has it always been in the back of your mind to do a radio show?

A: I never really sat there and went, this is what I want to do. When the opportunity came, it made so much sense. When I first fell in love with radio, I was a kid. Big old console style radios. Fiddling with it. finally a radio station was tuned it. I was really young. What’s THAT. Since that moment, radio’s always caught my attention. Got turned on to all the bands I loved. First time I heard Motley Crue -- I had heard the song 1000 times, I wrote the song. Why would I be that excited? Something about being the voice that’s turning you on. I never thought about being that guy, I love that guy. Now the opportunity to be that, I’m sortof frothing at the mouth. Talking about things on the weekend show, the chart and how to take the week before, combination of alternative and rock music. Also giving me an opportunity to do Sixx picks: If there’s a band bubbling under that may not fit, given the freedom, if you’re really into that band, let’s pump them. As a musician, it makes me feel like I’m giving back.

Q: How do you address the fact that each affiliate could be different?

A: In the weekday show, I feel very comfortable with the stations we’re working with, fitting into their playlist. If they’re playing Linkin Park and Cage the Elephant, that’s what they’re playing, it’s not for me to say yes or no. What I bring to the show, they have their format, our actual content – what it is that we’re bringing. Pop culture or rock culture, a nice combination. On the weekend show, we will have a lot more to say. It goes back to the thing of picking new music. Musically we would be proud to broadcast.

Q: A number of celebrities have attempted to make the cross from another media into radio. What do you have that's different?

A: I can't project why or if my show will be successful. I can just do my very best. Whether it's my books, my photography, my producing, my designing clothes. Radio has been a passion of mine. This isn't a money gig. If someone said, you're doing radio for money, you'd have to laugh. I think it's going to be successful because of the passion and my life experience. I know that David Lee Roth had a show. I never heard it. I know Alice has a show, I've been on it. I can't really speak for other people. I can speak for what we have and our team.

Q: How did the deal come about?

A: It was a lot of conversation and it started about a year ago with a meeting in New York. It was nowhere on the scale it is now. Just talking, I think everybody in the room was in love with what rock radio can be. And we started talking about it, as the conversations grew, everybody at Clear Channel and Premier started getting really pumped about it. It was like a long dating process before we actually made the commitment. The staff and team has been so supportive and helpful. For me to say things like the design of the studio [is important], it was so freeing to be working with people. I really want to see a studio that people want to be in. I want to be in that studio visually, decked out, rocked out, however you want to say it. I want that to be broadcast. That’s what you believe in, that’s what we’re going to do. So supportive in putting the right team around me. In the end, I’m going to be myself. It’s a lot of work. I think a lot of people think you just talk. But there’s a lot of moving pieces.

Q: What are some of the stations and markets?

A: I don’t have my list in front of me. We have a lot of stations on board. Not only big stations but we’ve also gone into some of the smaller stations. Couple different counties where they don't have something like a Nikki Sixx or a Kerri Kasem, a produced show that's going to be put out there to entertain.

What will I talk or not talk about? The way I live my life has been pretty open. I found this band. This painter that blew my mind. It should just be seamless like that – I believe that's what is going to make it really great to listen to.