Aside from taking a pen name as an author or cartoonist or a stage name as an actor, DJs are among the few people who can use fake names in their profession. You wouldn't likely hear bank presidents introduce themselves as "Sam Smooth" or "Alexis Van Nightwind."
And yet, in radio, it's perfectly normal for some or all of a radio station's DJs to use made-up names. I remember being introduced to a fellow DJ once. Without thinking, I introduced myself by my DJ name, and he responded with his on-air name, as well.
Later, I thought, "How great of a business is this? He's not who he said he was, and I'm not who I said I was. How many other businesses function that way?"
