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Adrian
Lopez
Latin Rhythms Host
Email Adrian
By
Elizabeth Moss
Sunday
afternoons at WLNZ begin once sway to a Latin beat with Adrian Lopez, volunteer
producer and host of the program, Latin Rhythms, which airs from 3 to
6 p.m. Broadcasting in both Spanish and English, Lopez brings
unique programming to the Lansing area. An
optician by day and a free-lance disc jockey by night, Lopez is a
busy, high-energy person. Originally from New York City, with roots
in the Dominican Republic, Lopez moved to Michigan in part
“because of the friendly people here.” The following is an
excerpt from a conversation with Lopez and printed in the WLNZ
Program Guide
What kinds of music do you play for your audience?
Lopez: It’s a
nice variety. There is salsa with Cuban and African influences. And
merengue from the Dominican Republic. Then there is Latin jazz, a
mix of all Latin music. We do different things each week. Request
Sunday is the last Sunday of each month. On other Sundays I
introduce new music at the beginning of the show.
Why
have you volunteered to do this each week?
My goal is to
share with the Lansing community something different as well as
introduce them to something that’s big and popular in both the
West Coast and East Coast music scenes. In the two year that Latin
Rhythms has been on for its three hour time slot, it has gotten a
lot of attention.
Every
Sunday I get calls from people-and not only the Latin
community-saying how much they like this music and how glad they are
to have it available. It’s a great opportunity I’ve been
given-there’s really no one else around here playing a salsa,
merengue mix.
Why
do you broadcast your show in two languages?
I say everything
in Spanish and English. Along with introducing the music, I
broadcast many public service announcements for organizations, like
the Red Cross or Cristo Rey, they want to communicate important
information to the Spanish-speaking audience. Plus, it’s great for
anyone who is trying to learn English or Spanish to hear it in both
forms. Many people have expressed their appreciation for it.
What’s
it like for you?
Those three
hours in the studio go fast. I enclose myself in there and it’s my
getaway zone. Once I go off the air, such a hot, spicy, upbeat
program can’t be followed up with something quiet and slow.
Luckily, Rootsmon Bird follows me with the Natty Dreadlock Rock
Show.
What
other ways do you contribute to the area music scene?
When I first
moved to Michigan, I saw there was nothing here like
the music I was accustomed to in New York. So I started playing it
myself, renting halls with a group of students from LCC and MSU.
There was a serious demand for this. Then Ernesto Fuentes who owns
Ramon’s opened his doors to me and I started DJ-ing there for Latin
dancing on Saturday nights and now on Sundays after the radio show
at WLNZ.
What
is your connection to WLNZ?
Well, one night
in July, 1997, I was working at Ramon’s, and I see a big,
6’4’’ guy walk in and come straight up to me and say “Are
you Adrian Lopez?” I say, “Yes.” And he says, “Do you want
to be on radio?” This man turned out to be Rootsmon Bird. WLNZ was
interested in expanding their programming, and he had heard about
me.
He
put me in contact with Lyn Peraino [program director] and Dave
Downing [station manager] at WLNZ. Rootsmon offered to train me and
to help me work the studio equipment. Soon after that I was on the
air and after six months, I expanded to a three-hour show. Now I
call Rootsmon “my godfather in radio.” He introduced me to
something different, something I hadn’t ever planned to do.
What’s
your family like?
Wild
and crazy. I have three kids that don't allow me to rest much.
So I am constantly busy, with a 40-hour work week, then
DJ engagements on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights. So every
time I get an idea, everyone in the family is like, “oh, no, there
he goes again.”
Listen
for Latin Rhythms with Adrian Lopez on Sunday afternoons from 3-6pm.
Adios!
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