Never one to back down from a challenge, Brian Schmidt decided he was going to interview for an opening on WEGL, Auburn University's student operated radio station. His lack of experience in the radio industry or with any of the technology did not stop him from giving it a try.

Schmidt has always had a passion for music. Traveling across the country to attend various musical festivals is one of his favorite hobbies. Trips to Nevada, California, Tennessee and Arkansas are just a few places his passion has taken him. The culture of the festivals has inspired his individualistic personality and broadened his taste in music.

Bonnaroo in 2009 is what truly sparked his obsession with traveling to attend musical festivals. He has also attended Wakarusa, a four day camping trip and musical festival in Ozark, Ark.

He and a group of close friends call themselves the "Funky Monkeys" and travel to the festivals or as they call them, "Monkey Missions," together. Every is monkey themed and even their camp site is decorated with bananas.

"It's just a fun thing that my friends and I came up and have continued the whole monkey theme ever since," he said.

His show, "Monkey Business" airs every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. The music he plays is intended to send people off into their Thursday nights in an energetic mood. His selection in music is "to express the vibe of peace, love, unity and respect." 

"If its been a lazy rainy day I'll choose to play music along the lines of Grateful Dead or The Rolling Stones. But really my goal is to throw some higher energetic vibes at people to close up their work day," he said.

He likes to play tracks by artists such asElectro House, Swedish House Mafia and Pretty Lights to name a few favorites.

Schmidt's contagiously energetic personality is expressed throughout the show. He does not have a script between songs but he prepares to have a few key points to discuss during breaks. "My main goal is to express the culture of the music I pick," he said. 

The technology side of it has been a learning process but he says he has been working hard to mastering the switchboards. 

"After doing my first show I really saw what I needed to work on," he said. "I was a nervous wreck but it was definitely a learning experience."

The hardest part of the whole process for him has been matching up beats. He is currently working on mastering transitions between songs and keeping the same flow.

"I love to dance and want to make other people dance so I choose to play dance music," Schmidt says. "The higher energy music I play is to send people home in a good mood." 

Getting a chance to play music that he loves to the people of Auburn and his friends is the real pleasure of it all.

"I had friends out in California and Texas streaming live and listening during my first show, so I'm really excited for my second one," he said.   

Monkey Business's second show will air this Thursday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m. Tune in and listen live on WEGL 91.1 or online at http://tunein.com/radio/WEGL-911-s28474/.