UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 29, Page 8
April 30, 1992
WXDR DJ: Mike Rucci

          Name:        Mike Rucci
          Show:        Java Time
          Time:        6-9 a.m., Tuesday
          Occupation:  Senior business major

     If you tune into WXDR at 6 a.m., Tuesdays, you may hear a
familiar sounding band playing an unfamiliar song, or an unfamiliar
band playing an unfamiliar song. That's because Mike "on the Mic"
Rucci is doing what he does best, experimenting with new and varied
types of music.
     Rucci has hosted the weekday morning "Java Time" slot since
September. The show follows a "free form" or varied theme, he said,
adding that he plays "wakeup music," which he defines as something
between Michael Bolton and Guns N' Roses. "Something lively enough
that it'll get you out of bed, but not give you a headache," he said.
     Rucci has been playing tunes at the station for two-and-a-half
years. Until this September, Rucci entertained late-night listeners
playing "weird cuts" from classic rock bands like Led Zepplin  and
Rush.
     Rucci's on-air debut was in high school, when he played songs and
read the news before homeroom. Although he said it sounds like a
cliche, Rucci said he's always loved music. During freshman
orientation, he checked out the WXDR studio.
     A senior operations management major, Rucci said he would love to
continue spinning records, but his first priority is finding a
business job.  Something that is not "straight sales," he said.  If
time permits, however, he said he would like to DJ on the side.
     "This is something I enjoy. It's work, but it's not a job, which
has negative connotations," he said. WXDR's alternative format has
opened his mind to all types of music, he said, and now he regularly
checks the "new bin" rather than simply playing little-known songs by
mainstream bands.
     And what's the hardest part of his job? "Convincing listeners I'm
awake and alive at 6 a.m."
     -Laura Reisinger