A couple of new DJs debuted on the classic rock station this weekend that I listen to. One calls himself “Mullet” and the other one calls himself “Dick Havoc.” There’s another called “Razor” and one of the morning show hosts is called “Tic Tac.” I get the concept of a stage name. There are other DJs named Larry Mac, D C Collins, and Jonas Hunter, for example, and while those probably aren’t their real names, at least they are conventional-sounding. But why do some DJs call themselves by more unusual names? Are they trying to stick out? Are they trying to make themselves more memorable to listeners?
I realize there’s a long tradition of unusual radio names going back to the Big Bopper and Wolfman Jack, and including the fictitious Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap from WKRP, but I thought of asking this because of the new DJs making their debut on the local station. I know there are a few DJs on the SDMB who can probably answer this.
In the small midwestern town where I grew up in the 60’s I think it was to keep kids from looking up your real name in the phone book and calling you at home.
Yeah, that was one thing I considered, DJs working at more than one station. That sounds plausible. And one of the DJs I mentioned is also the station manager not only of his station but also a sister station, so voice tracking would certainly make it possible for him to perform all of those duties more effectively. That does make a lot of sense.
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But why do some DJs call themselves by more unusual names? Are they trying to stick out? Are they trying to make themselves more memorable to listeners?
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Yes and yes.
The part about maintaining privacy (especially if you push the envelope at all) is also true. My roomie (and fellow DJ) back in radio days had a relatively innocuous “stage” last name instead of using his perfectly acceptable real name for much that reason.
As for dodging amorous female listeners - aside from Clint Eastwood, relative few jocks have had that problem, especially in smaller markets.
Another thing I considered is it’s a holiday weekend. The station may be bringing in outside DJs temporarily to cover shifts of regular DJs taking a four day weekend. Instead of hiring someone it’s probably more cost effective to contract with someone on the outside to voice track a show.
My cousin was a DJ many years ago. He used a nickname supplied by the station, because the station bought publicity from a company that they used for who ever held the DJ slot at the time, and it was cheaper to change the nick than redo the publicity.
Unless you’re the morning/afternoon drive-time DJ at a top-rated station, it doesn’t matter what you call yourself because no one cares. Using another name allows the station (and you) a lot of flexibility in how you’re going to be used. A DJ may be Rockin’ Rick at rock-format stations and Ricky Joe at country-format stations. So one reason is practical; it allows for a certain amount of career flexibility.
The other reason is because well-known DJs don’t play themselves as much as they play a character, then build a show around that character. One of my local rock stations has what they call “The People’s Morning Show”, where the primary DJ calls himself Nipsey, and who is supposed to be some kind of a badass. (I don’t listen to that station, but I’m familiar with it.) I’ve met him and he’s a really nice guy in person, but the Nipsey character allows him to be something he’s not.
Changing names also allows for privacy. Radio DJs may not be stalked, but they are local celebrities who want to be able to go to the supermarket and buy gas and have dinner out with their families without being interrupted by fans or fawned over by employees. A new name means they can be normal people when they’re off the air.
In television and film, the audience has visual cues that help define a character. In radio, all of those have to be audio, including the name.
I remember Joe Elvis, Commander Chuck, Proud Mary and others because of those cues. I can’t just describe them as the guy with the blond hair or the woman with the braid. If I describe some of their schtick, a few of the local listeners might know who I’m talking about. Joe Smith would be generic enough to be anyone, but Joe Elvis rings a bell for name recognition immediately.
DJs really have little to sell but image and personality. A suitable nickname can cement an image in people’s minds and help make their personality more memorable.
Just the usual. Women falling in love with the voice, then chasing them, trying to entice them to hotel rooms or even their homes. Insisting on it. Hunting them down when they don’t show up even though they said they would. Hunting them down even if they do show up because the DJ figures it would just be a one-night stand. Calling up their wives or girlfriends aka “those bitches.” Threatening suicide/murder/both. It’s not just men who can be real psychos.
