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Logan's DJ N-I-K looking to make move to big-time radio By
Jennifer Brennan
It's 7 p.m. and if the radio dial is turned to 94.5 VFX, it's DJ N-I-K (pronounced "en-aye-kay" ), an energetic radio personality playing the Top 40 hits. Add a "C" to N-I-K and it's the same friendly 21-year-old guy making a living at what he loves to do. Nick Thomas is a Logan native, who has been working at 94.5 VFX, the Logan radio station that plays music from a Contemporary Hit Radio/Top 40 format. "A lot of people look at what I want to do as pipe dreams," Nick Thomas said. From the secretaries, music directors, DJ's and advertising representatives, who pass by in the hallway, everyone in sight seems to know this blonde guy wearing a gray sweater and light blue jeans torn here-and-there. Thomas points out the six various radio stations in the building and production studios for each. After passing the conference room, is the entrance to the radio studio, which is just big enough for a computer to cut and mix music, CD player, and phone machines for listeners who call in. This room surrounded with equipment, with a microphone propped and a seat behind the audio board makes it possible for Thomas to broadcast to listeners across the valley. Thomas is one of the five on-air personalities for 94.5 VFX who broadcasts from the Cache Valley Group building, on 810 West and 200 North. The building which has been there for over 20 years, is the hub for six local radio stations: Q92 (92.9 FM), KIX 96 (96.7 FM), KLZX 95.9 FM, KLGN 1390 AM, KVNU 610 AM. For the eight years Thomas has been pursuing his dream in radio. He started off with a portable CD player and advertised his own talent. Then, he would go to a high school dance with three speakers, portable lights, and a crowd of 500 people and be the DJ of the party. Not only did his talent emerge from high school, so did his catchy name DJ N-I-K. The name originated from his doodling in high school. He merged the letters N and K together and it sounded catchy. Thus, the radio personality DJ N-I-K came about in the future. Thomas got his start at the same time the station switched from a Classic Rock format to Popular Hits, a year and half ago. When the new party-style format came to the station, it could be traced back to Thomas, who started his own trademark for the station. His show that kicked off and is still running is the Stereo-X show, which airs on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The show has added a Thomas's personal style to radio in Logan. Most familiar is Thomas's radio show that airs from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. On this show, Thomas becomes the on-air personality: DJ N-I-K, bringing an on-air party format to local stereos across Logan for the past year. Mixing and re-mixing music, a combination found in Stereo-X, is what Thomas enjoys doing most. By using the computer, Thomas can make combinations of various songs. He incorporates his own style to mixing music, by combining the Top Hits from the '70s or '80s with the Top 40 Hits on the charts today. For example, he explained, mixing DMX, a rap artist, with Barry Manilow. Put the two together and it sounds like "Bah Bah, Zah, BAH" . . . he expressed with rhythm. "He took a lot of his own stuff and incorporated it into his own style. Being on every day has helped him improve," Shauntelle Richardson, music director and co-worker, said. His production duties include cutting commercials, voicing them, putting images to them, and doing promotion deals for both himself and the station, Aaron Steele, program director, said. The weekend show is what Thomas enjoys the most about his job because it incorporates mixing and his on-air radio personality. Before working at VFX, he worked in Salt Lake City for about a month at U92 (92.1 FM). Filling in nights and weekends, Thomas spent his time mixing music. "It's a party on the radio," he said. When not working at the radio station, he does his own gigs at clubs and parties. Volunteer work can also been a part of his weekend schedule. On Nov. 20, he helped out with the music at Utah State University's Special Olympics. "He's done the mobile DJ thing for awhile. He is still learning," Steele said. Since he works night and day in the radio business, Thomas, a sophomore in college, is taking a break from school, so he can put his wife, Amy, through college. Amy works with advertising for The Utah Statesman, Utah State University's campus newspaper and hopes to go into public relations eventually. The two were married Aug. 5. A modern fairy tale can best describe how the two met, fell in love and got married. Amy was working for the VFX morning show. The morning show decided to set her up on a blind date for the show. The blind date (pre-setup) turned out to be with Thomas. She had seen him working as a DJ before, and he came in while she was on the morning show. For their blind date, Thomas picked up Amy at 6 a.m. for breakfast at the Village Inn. Even though blind dates are often awkward enough, Amy and Thomas had to bring a cell phone on the blind date, so the radio show could keep tabs on the two for broadcasting to tuned-in listeners. The "coolest" date, Amy said, was her honeymoon, when Thomas took her to Cancun because she didn't know where they were going until she was on a connection flight in Dallas to Cancun.
"He's a real gentleman, an incredibly rounded guy, so much fun, and a really sweet person," Amy said. What is the difference between DJ N-I-K and Nick? "It's a lot alike. He's an entertainer. His radio voice is different from his regular voice. He's a born entertainer no matter where he's at," Amy said. Born entertainer. It's a possibility. He emailed Hollywood Hamilton's website, and Hamilton took a liking to Thomas. Hollywood Hamilton hosts the nationally known syndicated radio show, "Hollywood Hamilton's Rhythm Countdown."
Thomas has done imaging for Hamilton, which involves putting a bunch of songs together and developing Hamilton's catchy slogan. "Number 4!" and the voice behind these phrases are also contributions Thomas has made to Hamilton's show. Hamilton has looked into jobs in San Francisco for Thomas, Thomas said. "I gotta be in the entertainment industry." He is the most expensive DJ in Logan-and lets people know he's the most expensive. He starts charging $250, and goes up from there, he said. The price can reach up to $700 if he is doing a show in Park City. "He's a hot commodity right now," Amy said. Thomas has seen the competition and feels that he is the best at what he can do. "Nobody else can do what I do, as far as my knowledge and resources. I put 100 percent of my time and effort into this. I know I have it in me to do what I want to do," Thomas said. Thomas paused. "Maybe it's false hope." Thomas continued, "Once you're in it, it opens doors in the industry." The entertainment is where Thomas plans to continue in his endeavors, which include making commercials, concert promoting or being a radio producer. Collages of CD covers have become wallpaper for Thomas's very own production studio in his two-room apartment. Autographs and vintage records are also decors that contribute to an atmosphere where he can mix music, and plan his next show in the comfort of his home. His studio is equipped with two computers, three CD players, tape decks, record player and a couple of mixers. "It's my own little bedroom. You can put stuff where you want it," Thomas said. Hence the arrangement of a spare room it is obvious that his hobby is his job from when he wakes up until he goes to sleep, and he wouldn't have it any other way. After being asked how she felt about having a "studio" in the home, Amy said, it's really nice because he's there. "Any time I come home, he's there." However, it can be obnoxious because of the music he blasts, she said. Thomas agrees that his neighbors have complained a few times about this. Sure, every career choice will have its downfalls. Amy said that it can be hard on weekends (when Thomas is working his Stereo-X show, or hosting parties and clubs). Parties start about 10 p.m. and last until the early hours, such as 4 a.m. Amy said she usually cannot sleep until she knows he's home. Often, Thomas will bring Amy to the parties, if he feels the atmosphere of the party is appropriate for her. Fortunately for Amy, her husband is almost always there. If he isn't at home mixing in his own studio, then she can hear him at night on the radio. "It's funny to hear him at night.when I'm not with him, I can flip on the radio and there he is," she said. The "phantom son-in-law" is the name her parents have given him, since he is always working nights or weekends and rarely around for family gatherings, because he is always working. However, for Thanksgiving Thomas and Amy did spend a few days with her family. In regards to being a "phantom son-in-law," Thomas said that it is hard to have a normal relationship, when working in the radio business. Aside from entertainment, Thomas has a short list of favorites. He enjoys "handy-man" work, like electronics or technology. His dad owns a jewelry store and Thomas enjoys making jewelry, which includes making his wife's wedding ring and the NIK chain that he wears around his neck. "If I have spare time, I like to sit down and do what I do," Thomas said. Staying on top of the artists in entertainment is not only a hobby, but also another significant to his job. His favorite artists are DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince (a.k.a. Will Smith). He bought their first album when it was released in 1989. Why these artists of the late '80s? Thomas said that every song tells a story, they are funny, and have good rhythm. When asked about crossing over to another music selection, he said that he couldn't do country because he loves to give energy and get into it, he said. "Music that makes you smile," he adds. Out of his four brothers and sisters, Thomas is the only one who wants to pursue entertainment. "Lately I have been trying to secure my place. I want to stay in Utah," Thomas said. The biggest challenge facing Thomas is where to take his talent. His number one priority is the relationship he has with his wife. On Dec. 6, he turned down a job offer in Jackson, Miss. Other offers he is considering are with radio stations in California and India. Doors are opening for the eager local DJ and he said his mind has been going crazy, while trying to decide the next best job move. Until major decision is made, Thomas, his wife, and Logan's listeners, will just have to wait and see what happens next to the local fame, DJ N-I-K.
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