Absolutely 80’s With Nina Blackwood

Sunday 6 pm – 9 pm

     One of MTV’s original VJ’s, Nina Blackwood is the host of her own weekly, nationally syndicated programs “Absolutely80s” and “New Wave Nation” as well as her daily short features, “Absolutely 80’s Spotlights.” All of those shows and features are broadcast across the US and Canada as well as in several other international destinations courtesy of the United Stations Radio Networks. Born in Massachusetts but raised near Cleveland Ohio, Nina studied piano and orchestral harp from the age of five. Years later, she performed as a musician, doing original songs and rock music like “My Guitar Gently Weeps” on her harp. In Ohio, Nina was actually a well-known harpist who entertained at various events in the region.

     Even before MTV, Nina spent time in Los Angeles experimenting with music videos. Her original manager Danny Sheridan and the radical underground videographer called “VDO-Mic” developed an imaginary music TV station called K.P.N.K. where she conducted interviews and did commercial parodies in between the musical film shorts.  An actor trained at the Strasberg Institute, Nina did modeling work and has appeared on television shows including the sitcom “It’s Your Move.” On MTV, aside from normal VJ duties, Nina co-anchored the broadcasts from Live Aid and Farm Aid. After MTV, Nina co-hosted the music series “Solid Gold” with Marilyn McCoo and Arsenio Hall. She’s also had roles in movies including Sondra Locke’s “Rat Boy” and Disney’s “Rock’n’Roll Mom” among others. She played the tragic hooker character “Ginger” in the cult favorite “Vice-Squad” and was originally cast as the girlfriend/band manager in the classic rock film “Spinal Tap,” but she wasn’t able to commit to the filming schedule for that movie because of the launch of MTV. Nina has done music commentary on CNN; MSNBC; CNBC and hosted her own “Rock Report” on Entertainment Tonight. In her personal life, Nina is a dedicated animal lover who is always surrounded by several dogs, cats, birds, and other animals. She often appears at funds raising events for various charities including the wild animal refuge, The Wildlife Waystation.