10 Questions with ... Bennett

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My first job in radio was at my hometown station, WSPK (K104) in Beacon, NY. I was a full-time overnight personality for a year, and then moved to MD/nights for another four years. During my last year there, I was also driving six hours to Philadelphia every Sunday to do a 12-6p shift at Wired 96.5. I was losing money doing it. I even came in during my honeymoon. I almost got divorced the same week I got married. It all paid off though as I moved to Philadelphia the next year to do AD/MD/middays at Wired 96.5. After a year doing that, CBS Radio acquired the radio station, decided to keep me on board (thank you, radio Jesus), and I got to launch 96.5 AMP Radio in April of 2015.

1) What are you doing, social media-wise?

I'm on everything but Tinder. I love Facebook live interviews the most. I use Twitter for jokes. I work out material there, and use it on the air if the reaction is good. I mean, getting your point across during an eight-second talk break is kind of like forming a tweet that's fewer than 140 characters, right?

2) What is your favorite part of the job?

That's tough. I love the listener interaction. I love interviewing. I love working with record labels. I got to do all of that at our first holiday show as 96.5 AMP Radio. Taking selfies with listeners, interviewing Mike Posner backstage, and introducing The Chainsmokers on stage in front of 7,000 plus people? I'll take it.

3) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

I like personalities who evoke emotion. Five personalities who come to mind: Buster in Indy, Chunky in Portland, Mijo in Portland, Nugget in Memphis and Styles in Detroit.

4) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

My father is my biggest radio mentor. He does mornings for an AC station, WHUD/Hudson Valley, NY. He's been #1 in his market for decades now. He hosts more events than anyone I know. Most of his events are charity events. His heart is even bigger than his pipes. Scotty Mac, my first PD, is also a big mentor of mine. I never would have hired me, but he did. I don't think I've met anyone more loved in this business than Scotty Mac. Dan Hunt, Dom Theodore and Buster were my team of mentors when I first came to Philadelphia. I got to learn from some of the best. My PD right now, Bobby Smith, is another mentor of mine. I think I've grown as a professional under his direction.

5) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

I like doing stand-up comedy. I've also enjoyed doing some TV for CBS Philly. Wait, that's still work. Is eating a hobby? If so, going out to eat with my wife is my favorite. Philadelphia is a great city to get fat.

6) What music do you listen to when you're not working?

Eminem, Elvis, Stones, Beatles, Classical, Jazz, Third Eye Blind, Motown, Spice Girls ... ya know, the usual.

7) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

I still get phone calls in Philly from listeners back at my first station in Beacon, NY. It's been years since I worked there. They physically picked up the phone and called in during my show. I hate calling anyone, and they're nice enough to remember me, let alone call me. That's enough for me to keep yapping every day.

8) What advice would you give people new to the business?

Say yes to everything. And never stop saying yes to everything. Listen to your shows over and over again and critique yourself. Hate yourself with a fiery passion. It will make you better.

9) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?

Not great. Say something different. Get creative. Stand out. Too many people sound the same and they're not really saying anything.

10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?

Radio is the most intimate medium of entertainment. So let the personalities BE personalities. Spotify can't make you laugh, or let you win tickets, or keep you plugged into what's happening in your city. The more radio streamlines its presentation, the faster radio will become obsolete.

What was your last non-industry job?

I worked at Friendly's as a waiter. One day, two young ladies came in to order some food to go. The first girl ordered chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. I got her order together and handed it to her. The second girl ordered coffee with hot fudge, and I thought to myself, well that's odd. Coffee with hot fudge in it, maybe it's like an Irish thing. So I poured a cup of coffee, and put a few pumps of hot fudge in it, and handed it to her. The two girls turned to each other, burst out laughing, and ran out. Still to this day, I have no idea what she was laughing at, but I knew being a waiter was not for me.