FM90, Amarillo College's full power radio station, offers a little bit of everything to its faithful listeners.

Marcie Robinson, program director, coordinates the efforts of the on-air talent. Students enrolled in the technical and transfer radio programs work as disc jockeys. Between scheduled classes and part-time jobs, they get behind the microphone, run shows and take requests from listeners. Although the main format for the radio station is primarily alternative rock, it also plays many other formats. FM90 plays everything from alternative to blues to jazz to rap.

"I was always interested in broadcasting, and I used to drive to Amarillo from Dalhart to be on the radio for a two-hour show," said Jimmy Douglas, a former AC disc jockey. Douglas, 36, considers himself a late bloomer.

"I'm still involved here at the station, and I love the radio business," he said. "I am going to be attending WT in the fall of next year, and I am going to go for a degree in Speech."

At FM90, the week is full of different types of music. There are also many different personalities who contribute to the musical selections. Each DJ wants to make his show different from all the others.

The week starts off with "Benny and Theo" in the morning. The duo is on Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 a.m.

"I listen to them every morning before class," said Sarah Hayes, an advertising major. "They play the best music, and I like to start my day off with them because there is very little commercial time. Unlike the other stations, they just play music."

"I really like the college stations the best because they don't play all that pop-rock stuff," Hayes said. "They play music that young people want to hear and not what songs are at the top of the charts."

Following "The Benny and Theo Show" on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon is "Cat's" show. This show offers primarily alternative rock.

"I play anything from Blink 182 to Dave Mathews," said Cat Gonnering, a radio-TV major. "Basically I play songs, take requests and give away prizes."

Cat said that she chose the broadcast industry at AC because if she's not going to be in a band then she'd rather play music to reach her audience. Cat's hobbies include just hanging out with her friends and playing her guitar.

Another disc jockey who has made his way onto the music scene is "Jared Michaels," a mass communications major. Michaels' show can be heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and again on Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. Like many of the other DJs, Michaels' show is mainly made up of alternative rock.
"I like listening and playing exciting music. I like taking requests because this is how we get most of our listeners," Michaels said.

"I plan on graduating next spring," Michaels said. "After that I am probably going to go to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I will apply at a television station in their production department and then hopefully work my way up to their newsroom."

When Jared isn't in the radio station he enjoys weightlifting, watching movies, and playing strategic games on his computer.

When the alternative week ends at FM90 on Fridays, the fun begins. For those of you who are still living in the '80s and still believe that the best music came from that decade, FM90 offers three hours of '80s retro, punk and dance tunes from 5 to 8 p.m. "When It Began" is hosted by Douglas.

Following "When It Began" is the "Friday Feature Hour" from 8 to 9 p.m., hosted by "Tres" Denton. Denton picks the best tracks from new CDs and artists. Beginning at 9 p.m. he transitions to a show called "Under the Radar," which is all new music which could soon be breaking into your CD or radio players.

After Denton is done, "Tech Sessions" runs up from 10 p.m. to midnight. BJ hosts the show which features House Trance, Electronica, Drum and Bass and Happy Hard Core music.

Saturdays do not mean that the disc jockeys get a break. The weekend starts off with "The Indy Show" from 8 to 10 a.m. This morning show is hosted by "Jenn," who plays two hours of music that the big labels don't want you to hear. Most of the music played by Jenn is mainly bands from independent labels who have not hit the big scene just yet.

Following "The Indy Show" is the popular "Dr. Demento Show," mainly targeted at older audiences. The show runs from 10 a.m. to noon and has been apart of FM90 since 1987. The doctor is in for two hours of hilarious songs and a taste of his own comedy. It is a fun two hours not meant to be taken seriously.

"I try to listen to Dr. Demento every Saturday morning because I find his unique form of comedy hilarious," said Mark Morey, curator of collections research at Amarillo Museum of Art.

"I have been a huge fan of his since he started on the radio, and I think that he is a great aspect for the radio station."

Another very popular show is "The Body and Soul Show" which begins at noon and runs through midnight. Hosted by "Kid Cliché," "Ecko," and "Supa" Marcus Stiles, the music is R&B, Hip Hop, Rap and Old School. The show is all request and is commercial free.

When Sunday rolls around, it doesn't mean that the station slows down. From 6 to 9.a.m., FM90 offers a show called "FM90 World". This program takes the listeners on a trip around the globe by playing music from exotic locales. The show features music from Africa, Brazil and Jamaica.

From 9 a.m. to noon, FM90 runs a program titled "Tex Tunes," dedicated to Texas music. "Marcie Lane" is the host of the show and plays everything from roots country to Americana to alternative country to modern rock to Texas blues.

At noon, FM90 offers a show called "Acoustic Café" which runs through 2 p.m. It is a very relaxing couple of hours, offering music from artists like David Gray to older songs by Cat Stevens. The show also has interviews done by the artists as well as information on current touring dates.

Finally the weekend wraps up with "All That Jazz," a show dedicated to Jazz by your request. Marcus Stiles is your host and the show runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

"This is one of my favorite shows that the radio station does because I find it very relaxing," Morey said.