Mike Salisbury, or "Mike on the Mic," can be heard every Saturday night on Skidmore College station WSPN 91.1 FM. For such a public gig, you might be shocked to know Salisbury gets extremely nervous.

"I don't like large crowds," said Salisbury. "I don't like loud noises."

The 58-year-old has autism and struggled with a speech impediment growing up. He is employed as a custodian with the college through a work program with Wildwood Programs.

"Music is like medication for me," said Salisbury. "When I'm working, I always play tunes in my head."

Putting aside his nerves, 11 years ago, Salisbury decided it was time an audience heard those tunes, too. He auditioned and got the slot as a community DJ.

"He's got a music collection that I think like no other person has," said radio DJ Edward Reilly. "He has so many records, 45s, albums, CDs, and he knows the dates and the artists of each song."

Reilly is Salisbury's childhood idol. He's become a mentor and has encouraged and trained him.

"We'll tune in at a certain time, like just not even realizing it, and then we'll have that familiar voice that we're hearing and we're like, 'Oh, that's Mike on the Mic, and it's great," said Sara Powers, co-general manager of WSPN.

"It's totally inspiring to me," said Eli Smith, co-general manager of WSPN. "Michael's dedication is awesome. I think it is really a valuable thing that you can provide to the community by giving out good music and talking about local events and really connecting with the greater community."

Salisbury's biggest hope is to be an inspiration to even one listener.

"I had a lot of hardships throughout my lifetime and I feel I've never been so successful as I am now, and I feel I can be a good inspiration for people, because I know what it's been like to have hard [times] and to better myself," said Salisbury.