Q&A with ex-MTV VJ Nina Blackwood

Nina Blackwood, along with MTV’s other three original VJs who helped launch the music network in 1981, has written about her five years at MTV in the early 1980s in “VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV’s First Wave.”  Today she hosts daily radio shows on SiriusXM’s “80s On 8” channel, plus her own syndicated weekend shows “Absolutely80s” and “New Wave Nation” across the U.S. and Canada.  In addition, Nina hosts concerts featuring many of the same acts she introduced us to in the 1980s on MTV, including Terri Nunn and Berlin, Missing Persons, ABC, Colin Hay of Men at Work, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, Loverboy, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, Men Without Hats, Howard Jones and more.

What are the best books you’ve read recently?
I’m currently reading Clive Davis “Soundtrack To My Life”; Before that, Tommy Mottolas’ “Hitmaker.” I’m also reading “The Encyclopedia of New York”; “Consider The Fork” by Bee Wilson and “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson.

What was your favorite book as a child?
“Black Beauty,” “Peter Pan,” “Little Women,” and “Tom Sawyer.”

Why do you enjoy attending book festivals, either as a presenter or audience member?
Although I have presented and attended several Music Festivals, this will be my 1st Book Festival.

Have you been to the D.C. area before? If so, what is your favorite thing about it?
Was in DC once briefly for a TV show or interview of some type. Did not have time to see anything but would love to visit the Smithsonian.

What is the most difficult, or challenging, aspect of being a writer?
In our particular case for “VJ” we had the enourmous help of Gavin Edwards who put together the oral history together in a wonderful way. Many, many thanks to Gavin. However in the past when I was asked to write my autobiography…had a very difficult time writing about myself…therefore I shelved the idea. hahaha