WQSV Profile:
Chuck Troutman

How did you come to be involved with WQSV? And how long have you been involved?
I’ve been at WQSV since about a month after they went on air. I just wouldn’t go away.

When did you start DJing? Are there any DJs who influenced you? Or something/someone else who influenced you?
I first started DJing in 1989 at WXJM at JMU. I walked in one day and wouldn’t go away. I did alt-rock, jazz, blues, and then something that became known as Americana. The DJ that had the most influence on me was Lee Michael Dempsey at WAMU during the mid ’70s. Living in the Valley back then it served as my window to the world.

Talk about your connection to music/the role music plays in your life?
From my teenage years, I always hung out at the local record store, Blue Mountain Records in Harrisonburg. Owner, Paul Ipock, was a big influence on my purchases. Back then I could only afford one album a week. Music has always been my escape! There is always a song bouncing around in my head.

Describe your show.
My shows are always kind of helter skelter in nature. No two are ever the same. At this time, I am the only DJ that’s on 6 days a week (8-10 AM).

Who are some of your favorite musicians and why?
I’ve always been drawn to Axe players and the great ones always die young. Sad to say.

What is your first memory involving music?
My first memory of music was The Ventures – “Walk Don’t Run” on 45. I think it was 1961.

What was the first concert you attended?
The first concert I attended was The Ides of March. That was around ’71. They had a big hit with one called Vehicle.

How do you go about building your show?
Every show is put together on the fly. After I park my car every morning, I think of a song to start with. As I walk down the sidewalk, it’s just a landslide after that! I have never been afraid to play artists I don’t know. After all, I’m just a Pilgrim.