by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Mike Biscott

Age: 47

Occupation: Radio jock

Bio: This sultry Lachine heartbreaker knew he was going to get into the radio game even as a child. Riffing words of pre-teen wisdom into his portable cassette recorder, Mike had already figured out that if he "became a cool DJ, I'd get all the things I wanted in life: free records, girls, cars... cool things." After learning his trade in Belleville, Ontario, Mike went on to DJ in all the most exciting Canadian broadcasting hotspots like Cornwall "Sulphurtown" Ontario, and Sussex, NB. Returning to Montreal in 1982 unemployed, broke and bummed, he tuned in to CFMB one night, figured they needed an ace broadcaster like himself, called them up on the spot, and well, the rest is history. Probably the first local radio dude to host a nightly "alternative music" show - which he wound up doing for 10 straight years, championing countless local bands in the process - Mike is currently the host of CFMB's reggae show, Reality Check, which can be heard in the prime broadcasting hours of midnight to 6 every Wednesday morning at 1280 on the AM dial. He also holds a BA in theology, which he describes as "the ultimate science."

Is it possible to work in radio, make a semi-decent living, and get around having to hype horrible music? "Your freedom is almost directly related to how much money you earn. The more freedom, the less money."

What you'll hear on Reality Check: Black Uhuru, Carl Henry, Culture. "The original message of reggae was one love, peace between the races and harmony. But now with this new dancehall stuff, the Chi Chi Man stuff, it's a different story. I won't ignore dancehall, but I preview it carefully before playing it."

Are all radio jocks born with that annoying radio jock voice? "Not me, I really had to develop it at first. My radio voice is pretty much the same as my [normal] voice though, maybe a bit deeper, but not much. People have always said I have a nice voice, you know."

Does he find himself slipping into radio jock speak even when he's, say, looking for penance in the confession box at church? "Um, no."

Current ambition: To take his show to national radio [i.e. the CBC] or to start programming music in the brave new world of satellite radio. "Satellite radio is going to change everything drastically. I think it's the only way the medium will survive, actually."

Approximately how many records he has at home: "Conservatively, I'd say no fewer than 30,000. Enough to start up a really good radio station. They take up my entire basement."

The first two 45s he ever owned: "Chelsea Morning" by Judy Collins and "Touch Me" by the Doors. Both of which he won through long defunct West Island AM radio station CFOX.

His radio hero: The BBC's John Peel.

Last book read: Travels With my Amp, by Greg Godovitz.

Words of wisdom: "Believe in yourself. Keep going no matter how much the odds are stacked against you."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca