"It's Time to Face My Demons"

"It's Time to Face My Demons," said 91X DJ and music director Marco Collins. Last week, he left San Diego to spend six to eight weeks at a live-in recovery center in Georgia. "I have a problem with addiction, and it's something I've struggled with off and on for ten years. I feel like finally I've surrendered completely to this disease."

Collins's stay in rehab will be covered by MusiCares, a support group for musicians and people in related fields. The program is sponsored by the Grammys.

Collins started at 91X in 1985 as an SDSU freshman answering phones. He eventually launched Loudspeaker, San Diego's longest-running locals-only radio show. As host, he was the first to champion such local bands as Pitchfork, Rocket from the Crypt, Crash Worship, and Bad Radio (Eddie Vedder's pre--Pearl Jam band).

After a stint at Relativity Records, said Collins, "...91X called me back. They were launching a new station in Seattle called the End and they wanted me to do nights and be music director." While at KNDD (1991--'98) Collins got to know Courtney Love, Pearl Jam, and others from the Seattle scene. Collins was credited for discovering and helping to break the careers of Beck, the Presidents of the United States of America, and Garbage. In 1999, he moved to New York to work as director of music programming for VH1; then worked for Movement, the L.A.-based label/management company that handled Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill, and Sean Lennon. More radio stints in Sacramento and San Francisco followed. Five years ago he worked at the North County modern rock station 92/1.

Collins returned to 91X last September when that station "re-launched" with a new air staff and new ownership. He admits he's missed some work days since he's been back.

"[91X] tried to help me, but it became clear I needed more help than they could give.... I was discharged with the potential to be hired back in one capacity or another. I'm just not sure what's going to happen.... I didn't get a chance to tell my listeners goodbye."

Collins would like to hear from friends and supporters. Write him c/o Willing Way Hospital, 311 Jones Mill Road, Statesboro GA 30458-4765.