At a RIFF Fest
Erik AratariMan, I can't believe it. Another year has passed for me at WRIF. Yes, I started at 2 am, on November 1st, 1995. I was hired to do the graveyard shift, 2 am-5:30. Over time I was moved to midnight to 5:30, then 7 pm-mid, and in 2009 3-7 pm, where I am now. Following a legend like Arthur Penhallow was daunting at first. It took me a couple of years to really settle in, and realize it was my shift and to make it mine.
Through the years I've had the fortune to see and experience some amazing things while working for the mighty WRIF. The people I've been able to meet, and some befriend, I'm very appreciative of. It's even mind-boggling for a kid who literally grew up with a cornfield outside my back window, to think I'd be on one of the biggest rock radio stations in America for so long. I'll be honest, there's not a day I don't look forward to going into work. Between the challenges of interviewing rock stars, creating stories for the website, to playing the music I love for all of you. It's really true when they say find something you love to do and you'll never work a day in your life.
If you had told the 15-year-old me, who was watching an Alice Cooper Halloween concert from Detroit on MTV, that I would spend over half my life in the Motor City, I wouldn't have believed it.
As always, I'd just like to say Thank You to everyone with whom I've had the pleasure of crossing paths over these last 28 years. Thank you to everyone I've had the great opportunity to work with over the years. I've learned from all of them. It's truly an honor to take to the air every day on the one and only, RIFF!
-Meltdown-
Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and I moments after playing the Joe Louis Arena. This was a few days after Nick Lidstrom retired. I was at the show with him and at the end the band brought him on stage. Really cool moment.
The first time I ever met the wrestlers, Rhyno and the Brooklyn Brawler. This was days after my daughter was born, who is now 22.
This was fun. I went on a bar tour to get Jimmy Howard into the All-Star game. It worked!
Robbie from Godsmack and I go way back. Many times we've played hockey when the band has come through town.
Eric AritariJames Hetfield may be my pick as the greatest "rock star". Love the dude!
1997 - the goatee is realI've been lucky enough to play hockey with Steve Yzerman 4 times. This was at the Dave Coulier charity game at the Joe in 1997.
An older picture with Barry and Brent from Shinedown.
MeltdownThe lovely Deena Centofanti at GNR at Comerica Park.
MeltdownAt Kid Rock's Halloween party in 2019. This was 2 am, the exact time of my anniversary at RIFF
At Pine Knob introducing Five Finger Death Punch.
Chris Jericho is so good to us at WRIF
Kevin Harvick with Meltdown in August 2022
Darren McCarty is one of my oldest friends since I moved to Michigan.
MeltdownMeltdown with M. Shadows and Aaron Julison from Kid Rock's band after the Avenged Sevenfold show.
MeltdownJoey Belladonna and me in Detroit, summer of 2022.
My Talkin' Rock podcast is something I'm very proud of.
Randy CrowderJesse James Dupree from Jackyl and me onstage at Uncle Sam Jam.
Wayne Swinny of Saliva and me. Great dude, sorely missed.
MeltdownMichigan rockers Leigh from Pop Evil and Kracker, with your humble scribe, Meltdown, at the grand opening of District 142.
Meltdown's Pine Knob memories
Tom Morello and myself at the El Club in 2018. This was really cool!
Courtesy photoWith Dylan and Eric from I Prevail, along with Al Beck.
Corey Taylor stole my phone and went selfie crazy before a Slipknot show at Pine Knob
The lovely Dorothy around 2019.
A past Christmas card with Paul Wight and myself from a few years back.
With the guy from American Idol. :)
Mike Wolfe and myself at a Metallica concert in Pittsburgh.
Thank You!
