(WKBN) — Thousands of radio listeners know the voice of Dan Rivers on 570 WKBN.
He always promotes the Valley and ideas to make it better, the dedication matching that he has to our country, a veteran who served in Vietnam. On Monday, he shared details on a shift in his duties.
Dan Rivers talked into the microphone Monday, and only a handful of people knew what he was going to say.
“I think today is the day to tell you that it is a reboot for the Dan Rivers show,” he said.
Nov. 27 is the final day Rivers will do a regularly-scheduled show on 570 WKBN. He calls it ‘moving on up’, saying it was an opportunity given to him by iHeart Radio.
“But I’m just thinking it’s a whole new audience that I may not be reaching right now, and maybe I have a message that can help them through some podcasting, or at least some commentaries,” Rivers said.
He the decision was difficult. He’s used to the phone lines being lit up with callers — the digital world is new.
Rivers started at WKBN in 1981, after graduating from YSU. He managed the Dan Ryan Show until filling-in for him one day, then eventually replaced Ryan in the coveted 9 a.m. to noon slot.
It’s a career that has lasted over 40 years with the same company.
“I never imagined myself not doing it,” Rivers said. “I thought, you know, I’m made of iron, and I can do this show as long as my voice is clear and my mind is clear.
Rivers lives in the Valley, and after the election, believes our best days are ahead. He is incredibly thankful to people like Dan Ryan, Pete Gabriel, Bill Kelly and the Williamson Family, who started WKBN radio and TV.
“And I just feel a responsibility to carry on their legacy and now maybe pass it to someone else,” he said.
Dan Rivers doesn’t know what’s going to happen with the 9 to noon time slot and if someone will replace him. He will be an occasional fill-in host for Ron Verb who is on the radio from 3 to 7 weekdays.
