As Newcastle’s #1 breakfast radio show since 2015, Tanya Wilks and Steve Graham have built a loyal Newcastle and Hunter region listener base together.
Between the two, the pair have been on the Newcastle airwaves for over 20 years and spent many of those years as friends and breakfast show rivals before joining forces on Triple M’s 102.9.
On air since the age of 17, Tanya has enjoyed stints as both announcer and journalist, while Steve has over 25 years of experience hosting top-rated breakfast and drive shows on both NXFM and Triple M.
Having recently renewed their contract with Triple M for another three years, the duo spoke to Mediaweek about their long-standing pairing, career highlights, and what the future on-air holds.
You have been Newcastle’s #1 breakfast show since 2015. What do you think makes your pairing so successful for so long?
Tanya: “I think the fact that Steve and I had been friends for years, breakfast show rivals for most of those, passing each other in the hallway and having a laugh as we disappeared into separate studios… we’re both successful as individuals and then coming together just lit the fuse for fun and fireworks. We brought two different fan bases together and well, here we are still surprising each other and ourselves.”
Steve: “Genuine friendship, trust, and being a fan of each other’s work.”
What are some of your favourite parts about being on the Newcastle and Hunter airwaves?
Tanya: “Having a show in the city you grew up in and love is an absolute privilege. I still get excited every day that people tune in and actively engage with us. I love it because this has never been a stepping stone for me. I didn’t just come to town for a job. As for leaving, I’ve had offers of cap city shows over the years, but I love Newcastle, our people, and our potential – I’m hopelessly devoted to the place.”
Steve: “Novocastrians can see BS a mile off! They will not tolerate fake or pretence and have a fantastic sense of humour. Being on-air for 20 plus years here also makes it feel like a group of friends, not listeners. They have been through our child’s births, family deaths, divorces, and marriages. They are part of our lives. It’s a joy each day.”
What have been some of your career highlights?
Tanya: “Highlights over the last number of decades are many; Hosting a #1 show in the 90’s, the noughties, the tens and now the 20’s is pretty darn special when I look back. Taking hundreds of listeners to far away outside broadcasts over the years in England, Scotland, Wales, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando was fabulous. Learning the mysteries of Disneyland and sneaking onto rides through the secret tunnels during one of those broadcasts was a childhood dream come true. Then there were the outside broadcasts WITHOUT listeners to Hawaii, New Zealand, and the USA… all truly amazing.
“Having my baby son and being able to broadcast from home for the first 6 months of his life was a big deal 20 years ago, not so now Covid-19 forced a lot of shows into that same situation. Raising money for charities and individuals is an unbeatable feeling when you can contribute in a way that can change people’s lives, and I know at times we have had that life-changing impact.”
Steve: “I could rattle off famous people all day long or some great shows we’ve done down mines, flood torn towns etc. but to me, the least spoken about thing in radio and in 2022 most vital highlight is knowing we are making listeners laugh or smile on a daily basis. We get thanked for it everywhere we go, it’s a joy and to me, that’s job done.”
What does your future with Triple M Newcastle look like?
Tanya: “I’m hoping the future will be worth the wait because we’ve just signed on for another three years with Triple M. It was a no brainer for them and us. We’re in a position where there is enormous trust in us which allows great freedom to execute our ideas. We have managed to lasso the term ’Test Drive’ and work it into a ‘Tanya & Steve’ promotion for anything new and exciting which takes our fancy, sometimes expensive but more often ‘money can’t buy’ experiences. So why wouldn’t we want to hang around when Newcastle and the Hunter is just growing and getting better and better?”
Steve: “We’ve just signed for another three years so I’ll keep signing until someone stops offering a contract! I have a fantastic job, amazing workmates and a city I love to live in and share life with on and off-air.”
Listen to Tanya & Steve on Newcastle’s 102.9 Triple M weekdays from 6-9am.