By Taylor Linzinmeir, Contributor
[Photo by Emily Doll]

A native of Rittman, Ohio, RJ Martin grew up in a place where the town’s biggest highlights are having one Burger King and one Subway. 

“It’s not like much at all. Morton Salt is from there, so we have that going for us, and that’s about it. Even the video store closed,” RJ said.

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Growing up there, he can remember jamming out and dancing to music in his room as a five-year-old. Since then, he has always wanted to write music and be in a band. Now, RJ wants to be an engineer in a studio when he grows up—or anything else in the music industry that will pay the bills.

RJ first started out in ACRN during his sophomore year as a member of the promotions department. At the time, he didn’t even know that there was a programming department that he could join. Luckily, a friend introduced him to the programming department where he has worked his way up to become the music director. 

Inspiration for RJ’s DJ name, Rev, first started with “The Reverend Doctor,” which was his gamer tag in high school. He then cut that down to just DJ Rev. RJ’s specialty show, “Stoned to Death,” features stoner-metal and rock. 

“I know it’s a niche genre, but anyone who is a fan of guitar-driven music will like it. Or, anyone that’s a fan of mind-moving experiences,” RJ said. 

Keeping with the biblical allusions, he opened up his first show with a Bible passage. He recited John 8:7, which says, “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”

RJ went to Catholic school up until the 5th grade, but that is where his religious affiliation ends.“I just kind of like the aesthetic of it. One of my favorite artists, Shakey Graves, writes about God but isn’t religious. It sounds poetic in a certain way,” RJ said. 

Although his specialty show’s theme is stoner metal, don’t let RJ fool you. He still loves a good choral. Specifically, he loves pop songs covered by Scala & Kolacny Brothers.

When he’s not in the station, he is fulfilling his 5-year-old self’s dream. He just joined a band called Women that will be performing at Casa Nueva’s Battle of the Bands on November 7. 

Click here to listen live to “Stoned to Death,” hosted by Rev every Wednesday at 5 p.m.