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10 Questions with ... Ben Rogers
January 20, 2009
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NAME:Ben RogersTITLE:Karma Jedi (Afternoon Co-Host)STATION:KRLD-FM (105.3 The Fan)MARKET:Dallas-Fort WorthCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:Dallas, TXRAISED:Dallas, TX
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Skin and I were able to infiltrate the wonderful world of media through of all things -- advertising sales. I was selling ad time for KSTR 49 at a time when they needed "inexpensive" Dallas Mavericks content so it was basically a case of being in the right place at the right time. From that point, we stayed hungry, worked hard and kept finding ways to parlay one opportunity into another. We spent several years getting important seasoning at the Ticket while also maintaining our "day jobs" until 105.3 gave us our first full time opportunity late last year.
1. What made you decide to get into radio? Why radio?
Having a powerful outlet to express opinions on the issues that you are most passionate about is not only magical, but also incredibly addicting. Being a radio host wasn't initially my dream job, but once I got my first taste, I immediately revised my dream. I suppose I could've dreamed about being on television but I realized early on that I look too much like a poor man's John Goodman to have a shot in a visual medium.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
Dallas Cowboys football. I guess that basically puts the picture in the frame for you. I am a shallow, peanut-brained, pathetic neanderthal. I can't help it, I was raised on Cowboys football and it's the one thing that pushes my buttons like nothing else... except you, honey (in case my wife reads this).3. The Fan is the newest of three sports stations in the market. What will your show bring to the table that isn't available from your old home at the Ticket or from the ESPN station?
Us. I don't say that to be arrogant, I just mean to say that our show isn't available on those stations. We have an extremely unique show because we're fairly odd ducks. We've been great friends for almost 25 years so we have amazing chemistry. We're not a couple of guys from different markets who just met for the first time 6 months ago.We're both from this market and have been living and dying with these local teams since birth. We're probably two of the only middle aged white dudes in sports radio who have recorded hip hop albums, so we're hardly sports robots. We're also both comedy writers and were awarded Best Columnists in Dallas by D Magazine last year. In addition I think Skin provides the best Mavs analysis of any talk show host in the market. As long as we continue to produce a show that is true to who we are, our daily presentation will continue to offer listeners a unique listening opportunity.
4. Fix the Cowboys: What would be the first things you'd do if Jerry Jones put you in charge?
I would roll the coaching staff as well as T.O. Wade Phillips, aka The Pillsbury Dough Coach, has the respect of no one. Jason Garrett is too green to win the weekly chess match with opposing defensive coordinators. Brian Stewart hasn't had his headset plugged in in months. (Ed. Note: After Ben did this interview, Stewart got the ax) T.O. is too divisive to allow in the locker room and will hold Tony Romo back as long as he takes up residence at Valley Ranch.
5. If you hadn't gone into radio, what would you be doing today?
I'd be wedged into a tiny cubicle selling advertising time and filling out TPS reports.
6. You're both immersed in music in general and hip-hop in particular. What are you listening to these days?
I wouldn't say I'm immersed anymore. While I still enjoy much of the production in today's hip hop, I can't relate to 99% of the lyrics since I am an old, fat, washed-up white man. I've been bumping Kanye West's Have You Seen My Autotuner album, but I'm conflicted. I love the music, but worry about the human.
7. What pisses you off the most right now?
This is going to sound like a cop out, but nothing really pisses me off these days. Sure, I worry and stress about stuff like everyone else -- OK, maybe more than everyone else -- but I rarely get pissed off. I couldn't be happier about where I am in my life (beautiful wife and two amazing young boys) and career. Hard to walk around pissed off when you're living your dream.
8. Who's your favorite person in local sports right now? Your least favorite?
My favorite would have to be Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett. We've gotten to know him this year by doing a weekly show with him and I have to say that he is unlike any other professional athlete I've ever met. He's got no ego, has his priorities straight, loves to interact with fans and is a great family man. I respect him tremendously.Least favorite would have to be T.O. because he appears to be trying to steer the Cowboys ship into an iceberg. And I guarantee you he's already picked out a big wooden door to selfishly float away on.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________.
...eating something that makes my heart sweat.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Best: My father instructed me never to trust anyone wearing an eye patch.Although that extremely peculiar forewarning has had absolutely no impact on my life whatsoever, I still feel like that could end up being exceedingly valuable advice.
Worst: Last year, Skin tried to convince me to invest all of my money in what he termed "the about-to-come-back-like-gangbusters VCR industry." Come to think of it, he was wearing an eye patch at the time.
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