The Tar Heel Thursday, July 1'93739
For WXYC,
variety is
spice of life
By SALLY PEARSALL
Editor
WXYC on 89.3 FM, the campus
radio station, cant be defined as
simply progressive or alternative
it's got a unique programming
style all its own.
"When you turn on XYC, you
could hear anything from alterna
tive stuff to old stuff to jazz to
blues to reggae," said Steve Bal
com, program director for the
station. uWe don't have the block
programming of other college
radio stations, and we don't get
into traps of playing only all-new
music."
Balcom said most of what gets
played on XYC depends on the
DJs personal tastes; during their
air time, they are given almost
complete freedom to play what
ever music they want. And because
the station is student-funded,
XYC's programming isn't clut
tered with commercials.
XYC does have some regular
shows, including Sunday's
"Orange County Special," which
features traditional bluegrass,
country and folk music, and the
"Northern Hemisphera-Uve-pnone-in
talk show. Last semester,
Dean Smith was a "Northern
Hemisphere Live" guest host.
This summer, XYC has added
another specialty show the
"New Music Show," which is
broadcast on Saturday night and
features brand-new releases.
Phone lines are open during the
show so that listeners can call in
their opinions.
XYC also broadcasts UNC
sports, including lacrosse and
women's basketball games. And
on student election night, XYC
keeps the campus updated with the
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A WXYC DJ spins the tunes during his shift
Tar HeelLaura Patterson
election returns.
It's a student-run station, but
it's the most popular station on
campus. "We don't have the
illusion that weVe got the majority
of the students (listening), but we
do get a good portion," said Jason
Bott, station manager.
"We also reach a large part of
the community people who are
looking for something different,"
he added. "WeVe been around for
10 years; we're well-established in
this area."
XYC has also established a
reputation for excellence among
college radio stations. In 1986, the
Gavin Report, a music industry
trade magazine, named XYC as
one of six best alternative raHiv
stations in the countryTThe station
was also spotlighted along with
four others in a feature article on
college radio stations in Rolling
Stone magazine.
i i.- 6ucu as- a
DJ at XYC. "You have to know
a lot about music to work here,"
Bott said. "Of the people who
come in here trying to get a job,
Balcom added, "When we hire
DJs, we make sure we hire people
who have a sound music back
ground and will come across well
on the air."
The
Oowimtowini EMdeirclhiainifts
ft
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Pipes by
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"M Cameron Ave.
I 'UNCH
Campus
by George
"Almost all your
smoking needs"
Blended Tobaccos Smokins Herbs
o Briar & Exotic Wood Pipes
Cigars, U'shters Incense 967-5707
In The Courtyard, Chapel Hill
Open 6 days 10-6
Have a great year and
see us first for all your
work and play needs.
The Downtown Chapel Hill Association
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