Recently, The Oracle had a chance to sit down with Andy Smith, one of WTTU 88.5 FM’s DJs. Smith hosts “Teacher on the Radio,”one of WTTU’s longest running shows. In addition to hosting his show on Monday nights at 9 p.m., Smith is an English professor at Tech.Q: Do you have any special DJ names you use on the radio?
AS: I’ve used the names “The Teacher,” “The Frog,” “The Professor,” “Mr. Andy,” and just “Andy.”
Q: What can you tell us about your show, “Teacher on the Radio?”
AS: We do themed shows of an eclectic, eccentric and educated nature. Once I have a theme, I research for the show: sampling songs, reading up on artists and taking requests.
Q: How long have you been with WTTU 88.5 FM?
AS: I’ve been a DJ since Fall semester 2007 at the invitation of Kassi Thomas and recent alumni Joe Greek.
Q: Did you host any other shows before “Teacher on the Radio?”
AS: In 1985 and 86, I hosted a weekly show on 88.3 FM WSTU in Southfield, Mich. The first was called “Music for Thinking People” followed by “United Underground.” I also was on the air briefly at WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1987.
Q: What courses do you teach here at Tech?
AS: I teach American Literature, Writing 1010 and 1020, University 1020, and Women and Gender Studies.
Smith wrapped up the interview with some very flattering words about the show, “Titus Electronicus!,” which follows “Teacher on the Radio.”
“Teacher on the Radio” airs at 9 p.m. on WTTU 88.5 FM
