Bill Wagman wonders how radio DJ's can maintain those soft, calm voices on the air.

Wagman, a database administrator on campus who has his own show on KDVS-FM, knows the radio environment is anything but calm.

"You don't get much time to relax," said Wagman, who has worked on campus for 25 years and also teaches scuba diving to students. "You're always trying to figure out what to do next. It can be kind of hectic."

For five years now, Wagman has been the voice behind The Saturday Morning Folk Show, which, Wagman believes, may be the longest running program at KDVS.

He is on the air every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, alternating weeks with fellow staffer Robyne Fawx. Wagman said he has a broad definition of folk, playing a variety of traditional American, British and Celtic music for a legion of listeners.

One of them is Andy Jones, a University Writing Program lecturer.

"Bill does a great job of educating the listening public about the music he plays, offering connections, anecdotes and context for all the great songs," said Jones, who is also the host of the KDVS radio show, Dr. Andy's Poetry and Technology Hour, which airs at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Jones attests to Wagman's sense of detail.

"Clearly, he does his homework before broadcasting a particular song," said Jones, adding that Wagman is a "connoisseur of film, music and other arts," and a "wry, skeptical, amusing, erudite, and principled" culture lover.

Wagman, who played the guitar growing up, is involved in the music scene in another unique way — he hosts house concerts. He is one of hundreds of people nationwide who invite musicians to perform in their homes in front of — literally — a packed house full of music lovers.

Wagman has been hosting the shows for a dozen years and has drawn audiences of more than 50 people for some events. Though most artists who perform at his house play folk music, he also attracts blues, Irish and Celtic musicians.

"There are a lot of great musicians out there," he said, "and sometimes they have a hard time finding places to play because of a shortage of venues."

Wagman worked for Graduate Studies when he first came to campus. He later spent time as the campus e-mail postmaster before moving to Information and Educational Technology 10 years ago. He maintains databases and installs software for a number of campus departments.

If he is not at work or in the studio, Wagman is likely in the water. He is an instructor for the campus basic scuba program, leading pool sessions and frequently teaching lectures. He also takes students on weekend diving trips to Monterey Bay.

Wagman, who has been diving for 40 years, plans to dive in Iceland this summer. The trip will be a well-deserved respite for him, who does not get much time off while he is on the air. Most of the time, anyway.

"Sometimes I play a really long song to take a break," he said.

Who are some of your favorite musicians?

One guy I've discovered and have been listening to a lot lately is banjo player Derrol Adams. I've also listened to Tom Russell a lot over the years. But doing a radio show changes the way I listen to music. I like to put things together coherently.

What do your neighbors think about your house concerts?

The neighbors seem to be accepting and upon occasion some of them come to the concerts.

Read any good books lately?

I'm in the middle of one right now. I'm sitting in on Jeff Mount's Geology 35 class, and he suggested Battling the Inland Sea by Robert Kelley. It's about the history and development of the politics of flood control in central California.

If you became president, what would be your first act?

I'd throw George Bush in prison and end the Iraq War. With apologies to Bush lovers, but I don't think there are many.

What do you do to relax?

Movies are always good. A system administrator and I trade these crappy horror movies back and forth. I also like to go for long bike rides, which I don't have enough time to do.