10 Questions with ... Bender

NAME:Bender POSITION:President/COO/Host, Jackie and Bender. Mornings STATION:KBKS 106.1 KISS FM MARKET:Seattle OWNER:CBS

Please outline your radio career so far:

Who knew bugging Mike Landry relentlessly would lead to this? Mike was my first PD at WKXW/Trenton. Now NJ 101.5, back in '87 it was still KIX. I hung out in the on-air studio until he put me on the air. Ken Wright, the morning guy at the time, nicknamed me "The Buzzard." He said it was like I was circling the radio station waiting for someone to die so I could take their shift.

From there, it was nights at FM97/Lancaster and 93Q/Toledo and then ... Z100/NYC, baby! I handled the 4a-6a shift, then hit the streets giving away Z100 Dollar Bills for the Zoo, then spent the rest of the day in the Promotions Department. From there, it was on to nights again at Z100/Portland and B94/Pittsburgh. Oh, I programmed K92/Roanoke somewhere there in the middle.

Then Chris Shebel called. He wanted me to cross the street from B94 to do mornings at his new start-up, The River/Pittsburgh. That's when Jackie and I hooked up. Married already four years, Chris teamed us up for the first time. They blew the station up 14 months later. We clearly rocked. Jackie and I then got the morning gig at WMXB/Richmond. I was promoted to PD a short time thereafter.

In late 2000, Jackie and I got the call from Mike Preston at KBKS in Seattle. We've been here ever since.

1) What led you to a career in radio?

I was born into it. My father, Dick Cunningham, was an extremely successful news anchor for the big boys in New York -- WABC, WNBC and WPLJ. He used to take me to work with him. If only I was old enough to comprehend who I was in the presence of ... Dan Ingram, Harry Harrison, Ron Lundy, Imus, Chuck Leonard. Chuck actually put me on the air during a weekend shift once at WABC! I was 5! My father likes to tell the story of me taking carts into a side production studio, but not allowing any of them to cue up. Apparently, Dan Ingram was not happy with him that day. Again ... if I only knew how lucky I was. I was one of the lucky few who knew what I was going to be doing from a very early age. Of course, it was a little embarrassing being the only guy at a station being hotlined by his father.

2) Could you give us a little insight into your staff?

I've got the greatest show staff out there. Jackie and I have now been doing mornings for 10 years, married for 14. She's the real star of the show. That's why I lost out on top billing years ago. She's hot, funny and extremely quick. Jubal Flagg (also hot and funny) holds down mic #3 and is my Executive Producer. Not to mention, he's an established local comedian by night. Sammi Davis rounds out our four-person show. She handles traffic, the show's blog and is Jackie's constant ally -- all while pregnant!

3) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?

A full-time camera guy. What?!?! Yeah. Check this out. Currently, I've got the only morning show in the CBS Radio chain that video streams their entire show every morning. We simulcast all five hours each day at KISSFMSeattle.com. It's a three-camera set-up, complete with lights, a switcher and a PART-TIMER running everything. So, a full-time camera operator would be fantastic. How many people have given that answer?

4) Other than your daily show, how are you keeping busy?

I've just launched my voiceover venture: www.VoiceoftheBuzzard.com. I think I can provide stations with a unique new sound that isn't available anywhere else. Check out the site and listen to the demo. It's funny, I've been asked where I came up with the name. If you read the "brief career synopsis," you'll figure it out.

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

D-Lo at Q107.5 in Memphis. He was just a 15-year-old "Stupid Guitar Boy" back on my night show at B94/Pittsburgh. He is, hands down, one of the best night jocks in the country.

6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I grew up in Hightstown, NJ (just outside of Princeton). I'd listen to WPST in Trenton (Dave Hoeffel rocked the All-Request Lunch Hour!).

7) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?

When my wife accidentally grabs my iPod, she wants to throw herself off a bridge. Apparently, she's not fond of the greatest hits of the '70s. C'mon, man (what up, Steve Kingston), how can you not like Billy Joel, Chicago, Elton John and Steve Miller?

8) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?

Actually, what I find cool is that we've been doing this long enough to watch bands come and go. I especially like when an artist or a band are pricks on the way up. It makes it more fun seeing them on the way back down.

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

I love cars and motorcycles. I'm working on a Jay Leno collection of my own. I also love photography, poker, backgammon and anything I can do with my kids.

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

I'm in the never-ending pursuit of perfection. Of course, it'll drive you insane when you're sometimes surrounded by people who aren't.

What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?

When Birch was still around, Z100/NY ran an extremely ballsy Ernie Anderson top-of-the-hour that read... "From the top of the Empire State Building... Birch and Arbitron rated #1... again." Still gives me shivers.