Latino Music Returns to Local Airwaves
With Debut of LatinoMix on WCWA

By Alan Abrams
La Prensa Senior Reporter

Shortly before LatinoMix debuted on Toledo's WCWA/1230 AM last Sunday evening, co-host and main disc jockey Tony Rios promised, "It's going to be fun."

He kept his word.

The four-hour live radio show, running from 8 p.m. until midnight, marked the return of Latino music to Toledo's airwaves.

And it was also the culmination of a life-long dream for musician and Voces Latinas award-winning television personality Rios, who co-hosts the radio show with Rico Neller, columnist and staff writer for La Prensa, and Yvonne Ramos of La Familia band.
"The show is a joint production of La Prensa and Voces Latinas," said Neller.

"Music is my main love," said Rios, who over the years has evolved from being a talented local musician and vocalist into multimedia stardom.

"This radio show is a present to our community," said Rios.

The mix of Latino music played on the show represents what Rios has seen as an evolution of the Hispanic/Latino music market.

"There are more than just Mexican-Americans in our community.  There is now a presence by Colombians and Venezuelans.  And as I have seen at the downtown venues in which I have worked as a DJ, there is a greater diversity in the audience for Latino music.  My audiences have included more and more whites and African-Americans," said Rios.

LatinoMix features a bilingual format with Diaz, who is from Mexico, handling the Spanish-speaking segments.

Neller concentrates upon community news, adding greatly to the program's mix.

All styles of Latino music are featured, from Ricky Martin and Christina Aquilera to Julio Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez.

There is a hotline to take listener dedications at 419-240-1230.  Neller said instant e-mail to the show's three hosts would soon be available.  Look for the address to be announced in La Prensa.

Neller said the show would feature guest DJ's as well, and will also highlight live appearances by recording artists who are appearing in the area.

This week's radio show will also be televised over Voces Latinas, said Rios.

But will the Sunday night radio gig sitting in front of a turntable cut into Rios' lucrative live appearances?

"Without a doubt," he replies.  "I've been doing live shows for more than 20 years.  I'm ready to settle down to do this.  Besides, I can reach more people with Latino music in one night through the medium of this radio show than I could with a live performance,"

"The show's initial sponsors are Don Pablo's Mexican Kitchen, the popular Airport Road eatery; the Air National Guard; Job 1 USA; and El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant in Perrysburg," said Rios.  "They are all sponsors of Voces Latinas who have followed me from the television show.  And there are many more potential sponsors waiting in the wings," he said.

If you missed the first show, be sure and tune in every Sunday.  It marks the return to Toledo of Must Hear Radio.