By: Jonathan Baca, Senior Reporter | Photo By: Scott M. Roberts, Photojournalist
Business Administration graduate Aaron “Buck” Burnett and Joe “Dex” Toth, well known for the Buck and Dex Morning Show on 104.1 The Edge radio, will host the seventh annual Take the Edge Off Hunger event next month, said Burnett.
The Nov. 13 event will be held at The Sunshine Theatre and will benefit The Storehouse, said Burnett. The concert will feature the LA- based band, GROUPLOVE, said Toth.
“We try to help out as much as we can,” said Toth. “It’s amazing to just give someone hope, and let them know that they’re not alone and that we do care. We’re not just a couple of radio monkeys,” he said.
Tickets for the event cannot be purchased, said Burnett. Instead, event-goers must donate a case of food to The Storehouse to receive a ticket, he said.
“We bring in around 70- to 100-thousand pounds of food,” said Burnett.
Of everything they do as radio DJs, helping people is the best part of the job, said Burnett.
“We try to help out as much as we can. It’s cool to get emails from people saying they were about ready to kill themselves and we happened to email them and stopped them from doing it,” said Toth
Although they are not professionals, they try to help people with relationship problems, drug and alcohol issues, and people who simply need someone to talk to, said Toth.
“If you ever need anything, feel free to call or email us,” said Burnett.
Burnett said he attended CNM about four years ago to pursue a business degree. Although he already had a successful career as a radio DJ, Burnett said he felt that the experience was well worth it, and he encourages young people to make the investment in themselves as well.
“I had never gone to college, and I just felt like it would be a good place to start. I took two or three classes a semester and I really enjoyed it,” he said.
“Go to college. It makes a world of difference. I think employers are looking for people who can commit to something like pursuing a degree. It’s not easy, and it’s a big thing to be able to accomplish that.”
Toth said that he and Burnett feel at home on the air, and that they believe it is where they belong.
“You kind of know that this is what you were created for, this is your purpose,” said Toth. “I’d like to die on the air.”
Toth said that interviewing Marilyn Manson and covering UFC events were some of his fondest memories working at the Edge.
Burnett started at The Edge when the station was still in its infancy, and he has enjoyed watching it struggle and thrive, he said.
He said he had seen the business of radio change drastically over the years and that trying new things and being creative are perks of the job.
“We don’t have to do the same thing. A lot of people’s jobs are very repetitive, doing the same thing day after day, and we don’t have that. We’re basically two kids playing in the sandbox,” he said.
Toth said he enjoys watching the changing trends in music and seeing what becomes popular and what fades away over the years. Burnett said he has watched the music The Edge plays come full circle.
“It’s completely different from what it was a couple of years ago, when we were into more of the heavier rock sounds, where now it’s truly shifting back towards the alternative sounds with bands like Mumford and Sons and the Foo Fighters,” said Burnett.
Burnett said he feels that The Edge has been an important part of the Albuquerque music scene, and that listeners regularly describe growing up with The Edge in their lives.
“We’re like part of their family, and we don’t even know them. It’s pretty special,” said Toth.
He said he gets emails from people who have moved away and say how much they miss the Edge, and how they are so grateful that they can now listen online.
Toth said he feels the listeners are what make The Edge so special to him.
“If you’re a listener, thank you. You’re the reason why we’re here,” he said
