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10 Questions with ... Dave Benson
October 12, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Last Non-Industry Job?
Tour manager for Pat Metheny Group ('81-'82)
First LP Ever Purchased?
"Best of The Animals"
First Concert?
Mamas & the Papas, with Tommy James & the Shondells opening.
Favorite Band Of All-Time?
RollingStonesTheloniousMonkBruceSpringsteenMilesDavisJoniMitchellCharlesLloydSteelyDanKeithJarrettCaptainBeefheart
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I weaseled my way into the new "underground" FM station in town to write an article for my high school newspaper and they made the mistake of telling me I could drop by anytime. I came back the next day.
2. What do you like best about your job?
The dress code? Good radio stations are a collaborative puzzle. Putting the pieces together requires awareness, skill and a bit of luck in a lot of areas. And, in the end, we're still just playing good music for nice people. Not a bad way to make a living.
3. What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
Helping put KBCO back on top was a very rewarding time for me. I learned so much from working with that staff; it gave me the confidence to move forward as a programmer.
4. What stations do you like to keep track of?
The usual suspects.
5. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
I wish I could say that I'd kicked the Diet Mountain Dew habit, but, well...
6. You've been at KMTT for a little over two months now. What are your first priorities or projects?
Right now, it's all about getting back to the listeners' and the station's core values -- and cleaning out all of the obstructions, assumptions and ghosts that might prevent us from communicating the music and the message.
7. What are your music meetings like?
A wide ranging discussion of radio, restaurants, housing costs, doggie antics, digital developments, Entercom gossip and cyberpunk fashion set to a soundtrack of the latest unreleased marvels.
8. Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
I'm a pretty serious P2 to NPR programming ... and having a good Jazz station in Seattle is a big plus.
9. What do you think of the current state of the industry?
Our industry is sadly split between broadcasters and broadcast property consolidators. I feel fortunate to be working with the former.
10. Best advice for young programmers/promotion people?
Seek quality.
Bonus Questions
If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Take another long vacation.
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