Rich Rawww
And my adventures in college radio.
written by Mike originally for Poprocks & Coke on May 30, 2025

This is my first post as a college graduate, & while I wish I'd done things differently as far as academics go, there's absolutely no argument that I will be associating some of the fondest memories of my life with the last few years. My senior year, in particular, will be defined by my experience co-hosting two shows on the University of Scranton's radio station. During Wednesday nights, in particular, two of my friends & I spent more time talking about all the pop culture that's crammed in our brains than playing actual music. Then, one Wednesday night in November of 2002, we received a phone call that would change our lives forever. The call was from a man named Jim Kelbasis, better known to the world as Rich "Motherfucking" Rawww.

Rich Rawww called up with his grovelly, Hulk Hogan type voice, asking us to play Cannibal Corpse. Not only did we not have any Cannibal Corpse in the studio, but we wouldn't play them if we did have it, so we told him no. Then it began. Rich Rawww flipped out, & we couldn't stop laughing. That's when Zak took out his Palm Pilot & started recording. Immediately after the show, I posted them up on my website. Now, having graduated, I'm no longer doing the show, but I just couldn't bring myself to take down these sound clips. Rich Rawww deserves his own tribute, as short as it may be.

Here, you can download unedited wavs from our first ever phone conversation with Rich Rawww.
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After that night, we wanted more. We asked Rich Rawww to call us every week. He'd call us up with new stories to tell & new secrets to reveal. He was even kind enough to send me some pictures while he was in the hospital fighting cancer.

Here is an exclusive photo of Rich Rawww's old band, KOWARD KORN, taken in 1987.

(From left) Rich Rawww, Crawv Daddi, Jammy, Koozer

Unfortunately, Koward Korn was never offered a record deal, & eventually Jammy, who was known for "getting all the ladies," died of AIDS. The rest of the band went their separate ways. Rich Rawww, also known as "the handsome one," would eventually pursue a career in acting, playing a lead role in the hit movie, GLADYATORR.

Here is an exclusive photo of Rich Rawww's faithful dog, Carmole.

"He's a nice pup."

After GLADYATORR had an incredible run at the box office, Rich Rawww decided that it was time to go back to the recording studio. So he started a new band with his best friend, Tinsnip Tommy. Together they recorded the hit song, TIGER KLAW, which they performed for us on the show live via telephone. Unfortunately, the event was so exclusive, that we had to burn the recording immediately after the show.

After a long struggle with their manager, an ill-tempered wigger named Tujo, Rich & Tommy decided to take a break from their musical career. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Tinsnip Tommy developed suicidal tendencies, which eventually led to his tragic demise as he jumped off the roof of his trailer home. Rich broke down & swallowed a pencil. That's the last time I talked to Rich Rawww, but he still calls my friend & former co-host, Zak, every so often. I can only hope that I hear from him again in the future. For now, I leave this page up in tribute to one of the happiest times of my life, doing that stupid college radio show.