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Thursday, February 07, 2013 By Splash staff
 Adam 12 talks about his life as a DJ in Boston and working at the new Radio BDC during an interview in the Watertown Splash newsroom at Watertown Middle School. -
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Adam 12
on the air
-- and online
Veteran Boston DJ finds
new music, new listeners
on new Radio BDC
“Looks like Adam 12 will be answering your calls today.”
Adam 12 is not a very common name and Adam 12 didn’t start out with that name, but every radio DJ needs a cool name right?
One day, Adam Clifford Chapman was working the phones at a radio station, and “Elvis” was the DJ. Going into a commercial break, “Elvis” just said, “Adam 12 will be taking your calls today.”
From then on that has been his nickname. Although “Adam-12” was a TV show about two cops, this Adam 12 jokes that he gets his nickname from his favorite shoes, a size-12 pair of Chuck Taylors.
Adam 12 is now a DJ and production director for Radio BDC. He is on the air Monday through Friday, from 2-6 p.m.
He explained that Radio BDC is a free online radio station, like Pandora, but instead of a computer telling you what songs you will like, DJs such as Adam 12 do it.
That is his favorite thing about being a DJ.
“I got into radio to share the music I love with other people,’’ he said.
When you think of a DJ, you might think of sideways baseball caps or fancy shoes. You might even think of a DJ being a teenager, but Adam 12, a real DJ, is none of these things.
He wears a flannel shirt, Chuck Taylors, no sideways baseball cap or fancy sneakers. He speaks in a clear, direct voice, not the mile-a-minute voice you might expect.
Adam 12 is great to talk to. He’s full of life and lots to say.
Getting his nickname from the police car in a TV show, Adam 12 has a colorful history. He has worked in radio ever since college, working in several states and at several stations.
“Because I’ve had so many different jobs, I’m sometimes worried other stations might think I’m bad luck,” he said.
Adam 12 grew up in Wakefield. He said he always had a feeling for music, but never really thought that he would be a host on a radio station. He grew up loving theater and music.
When he was in middle school, he played trombone. He really enjoyed playing jazz and practiced all the time. One day when he was jamming to music in his room he thought to himself, “Wow, if I could do this as a job I would be the happiest man ever!”
Well, his wish came true.
Adam 12 went to Northeastern University on a trombone scholarship. He studied communication and enjoyed it, but he really wanted to look into radio.
His freshman year was his first time hosting his own radio show. He said he absolutely loved sitting in his studio and picking out great songs and sharing them with the campus.
He was living a very busy schedule during his senior year, finishing his classes while working part time for the radio station, but he said it was all worth it.
While at NU, Adam had internships and co-ops with WFNX. Before he graduated, he received an offer to work the graveyard shift at WFNX.
“Sitting alone in my studio listening to music was awesome. Getting paid to do this was great,” he said. “It was the happiest I had ever been.”
Later, he moved way out west to Denver, Salt Lake City, and Albuquerque. He did some DJing there, then came back to Boston and a job at WBCN.
He hosted at WBCN, which broadcast for 41 years until it went off air in 2009. After he lost that job, he went back to WFNX, and he worked there until it went off the air in July 2012.
Radio BDC, which is on Boston.com, began in August. He said an online radio station with live DJs, is a “new thing that didn’t exist before.”
The station mostly plays rock, hip-hop, R&B, and alternative music. According to Adam 12, Radio BDC program director Paul Driscoll was responsible for making Foster the People’s song “Pumped Up Kicks” a hit!
On Radio BDC, Adam 12 gets to pick any songs he wants to play. He also produces commercials. Right now he said his favorite music is what he would call folk music, by bands such as Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, and Local Natives.
“The way I make lots of money is by advertising and discovering music and sharing it,” Adam said.
Adam 12 said he has met many celebrities, including Joe Perry from Aerosmith and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He has met bands such as Nine Inch Nails and Dropkick Murphys. He meets lots of bands with a Radio BDC program called “Live in the Lab,” when bands come in to perform live!
Along with his radio shift from 2-6 every day, he writes blogs, and puts together commercials. He also teaches audio production classes at NU.
Adam lives in Woburn with his family, which includes his wife, Meghan, and his two kids, Jacob (7) and Katherine (4). On his free time, Adam loves to make music, go hiking, or play his guitar.
“Hiking with my family is so much fun,” he said.
Other than hiking, Adam has two other hobbies, which are his two kids.
“Yeah, thank God they’re into hiking, too!” he said.
Adam 12 is great to talk to. He’s full of life and lots to say.
“I couldn’t ask for a better job, and I’m glad I can get paid to do something that I loves to do!” he said. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been!”
(To listen to Radio BDC, go to http://www.boston.com/ae/radio/.)
(Story reported and written by Watertown Splash staff reporters Sydney P., Sara G., Michael F., Meghan F., Lori D., Lauren P., Jonna K., Jeremy O., Isaac G., Gabe C., Emily K., Dilara E., Christina B., Chris K., Catherine P., Catherin C., and Anahid O.)
--Feb. 6, 2013--
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Adam 12 talks about his life as a DJ in Boston and working at the new Radio BDC during an interview in the Watertown Splash newsroom at Watertown Middle School.
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Adam 12 talks about his life as a DJ in Boston and working at the new Radio BDC during an interview in the Watertown Splash newsroom at Watertown Middle School.
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Adam 12 talks about his life as a DJ in Boston and working at the new Radio BDC during an interview in the Watertown Splash newsroom at Watertown Middle School.
By
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Adam 12 talks about his life as a DJ in Boston and working at the new Radio BDC during an interview in the Watertown Splash newsroom at Watertown Middle School.
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