If you tune in to WRUR at noon on Fridays, you will find “The C Spot.” From then until 2 p.m. you are able to have two hours with your host, WRUR General Manager and senior C. Mike Lindsey.
Lindsey is the man in charge of overseeing students involved in the radio, show schedules, promotions and working with WRUR’s partner station, WXXI.
It’s tempting to assume that Lindsey can play whatever his heart desires during his two hours of airtime, but there is a lot more involved. “The C Spot” airs during the Adult Album Alternative (AAA) time period, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends around 8 p.m.
WRUR is not only heard by college students, so AAA means music must be suitable for the entire listening population. Pretty much, it means the songs should be what your mom and dad would be up for hearing.
This certainly does not mean that “The C Spot” is simply a throwback to the ’60s and ’70s. It does mean the songs you hear will not offend (or give heart attacks to) half of the audience.
While Lindsey may play some Johnny Cash and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he also keeps the show in the 21st century. Bands such as Beirut and Iron & Wine frequent “The C Spot” playlist to keep listeners ultra hip and happening. Playlists include a range of music, including indie, blues and alternative.
When asked what types of music you will not likely hear on “The C Spot,” Lindsey gave three examples: Creed, Ashlee Simpson and Marilyn Manson. And, as he put it himself, Lindsey “jumps around through musical history.”
Perhaps it’s for the parents, or perhaps it’s just for the musically uninformed, but Lindsey seems well aware that not everyone knows of the bands he chooses to play.
For instance, during one particular show, Lindsey did more than simply naming the next artist. Instead, he took the time to introduce Devendra Banhart and talk briefly about free folk.
Lindsey knows how to make the most of his two hours. He splits his show into two parts and titles the second hour “The C Section.” With the witty name comes a good idea; the first hour includes a general range of music, and the second is a specially themed hour.
Lindsey seems to know not to stick to clichs, which keeps the show and “The C Section” more interesting. Past themes for “The C Section” include broken things, public transportation and even a “strange and odd things” theme for Halloween.
The show’s openness to requests allows all listeners to hear the particular songs or styles they are most interested in.
“The C Section” benefits from requests and listeners benefit from being told in advance what the week’s theme will be. This allows for each theme to be better-rounded than perhaps Lindsey could accomplish on his own.
“The C Spot” carries many signs of a host who knows what he is doing. Over the three years that Lindsey has been DJing at WRUR, he has learned his way around the sound board. Songs aren’t cut off abruptly and the transitions between them are smooth.
Lindsey plays songs that his audience already knows and enjoys, but he also tries to introduce new music to his listeners. “The C Spot” is an all-around well-organized and well-presented show.
“The C Spot” was Lindsey’s first solo radio show, and it is now in its third academic year. The show began in the spring of 2006, during Lindsey’s sophomore year, and also continued through both summers.
“The C Spot” airs on 88.5 FM. For more information about the show or to see “The C Spot’s” playlist, visit www.wrur.org.
Socci is a member of the class of 2010.
