Niki Dakota

Music Director and Host, Excursions

Born a Hoosier, but only living there in spurts, Niki Dakota spent much of her young life moving around the United States with her archeologist mother. Throughout these years, there was always a ukulele somewhere close at hand. By the time the family settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ms. Dakota found herself in pursuit of professional music-making as she headed-up the Alterna-Folk band, Plow On Boy. In the course of her first live radio interview to promote the band, Niki’s keen excitedness manifest itself in extreme chattiness. At the conclusion of the segment, the DJ closed the mic and said, “You need to be in radio."  That was in 1990.

In 2002, Niki’s radio career brought her to WYSO where she continues to enjoy a love of music and shares that love with the Miami Valley weekdays on Excursions.

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12:51pm

Wed August 22, 2012
Music

Customer Service and the Gem City Horns Live on Excursions

As self-professed music nerds, the eight members of Customer Service and the Gem City Horns (including former WYSO intern Mike Jones) formed the band for an ArtStreet project at the University of Dayton.  The band visited the WYSO studios to perform live, and spoke with Niki Dakota about forming the band, preparing to record an album and upcoming performances.

Customer Service and the Gem City Horns will perform at the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival, September 8 and 9 in downtown Dayton.

2:40pm

Wed August 15, 2012
Music

Todd the Fox Live on Excursions

Credit Frank Coleman Jr.

Todd the Fox returns to the WYSO studios to perform ahead of his appearance at the WYSO Community Concert.  He performs live on the air and chats with WYSO Music Director Niki Dakota about playing live, collaboration, and crafting homemade instruments.  

Todd the Fox will perform at the WYSO Community Concert on August 19th at Riverscape MetroPark along with Holy Ghost Tent Revival and Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band.

12:45pm

Fri August 10, 2012
Music

Live on Excursions: Bodie Wagner

Credit Allison Odell

Bodie Wagner and his brother Pop have roots in Yellow Springs, attending school right down the road from the WYSO studios at Mills Lawn Elementary.  Wagner says his father introduced the family to a variety of music when he studied at Antioch College in the 1940s and as a six year old, Bodie made his first appearance on WYSO.  Wagner has spent his life performing and collaborating with musicians across the folk community including Utah Phillips.

On a trip through Yellow Springs, Bodie Wagner joins Niki Dakota in the WYSO studios for live music and stories from his career.  

10:51am

Thu August 9, 2012
Music

Live on Excursions: Scott Lee

Scott Lee returns to the WYSO studios after a few years and a few miles of travel.  After a brief stint of performing and songwriting in New York City, Lee found his way back to the Miami Valley.  Lee performs live in the WYSO studios and chat with WYSO Music Director Niki Dakota about finding his way to Woody Guthrie's music and plans for an upcoming album. 

Scott Lee will perform this weekend during the Miami Valley Music Fest, Friday and Saturday (Aug 10th and 11th) at the Troy Eagles Campground. 

1:07pm

Fri July 27, 2012
Arts & Culture

Live on Excursions: Aaron Rourke of Rivers Unlimited

Credit Cindy Funk
  • Part 1 of Niki Dakota's interview with Aaron Rourke
  • Part 2 of Niki Dakota's interview with Aaron Rourke
  • Part 3 of Niki Dakota's interview with Aaron Rourke

Aaron Rourke returns to Excursions to talk about recent projects underway by Rivers Unlimited, an organization devoted to restoring and preserving rivers throughout the state of Ohio.  Rivers Unlimited recently helped efforts to get the Mad River designated as a recreational river with the help of a Dr. Ritter, Wittenberg professor.  

Rivers Unlimited will host a screening of Call of the Scenic River at Wittenberg University on July 27 at 7pm at the Bailey Auditorium 

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