10 Questions with ... Ben Davis

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 1997-1999 WSNY (Sunny 95)/Columbus, OH - Intern/morning show asst. producer
• 2000-2003 WMGI (100.7 MIX-FM)/Terre Haute, IN - Nights/Production Dir
• 2003- WNOU (Radio Now 93.1)/Indiananpolis, IN - Swing
• 2003-Present - WDJX (99/7 DJX)/Louisville, KY - Nights/MD, then Mornings/Programming

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

I was an intern at Sunny 95 and like every intern, I wanted to be on the air and thought that I was ready for afternoon drive. I would cut mock airchecks in the production studios and give them to PD Chuck Knight. He would then tell me I wasn't ready; I probably went through 30 of the 5-min cassettes before I got a call at 10:30 on a Friday night asking me if I could come in and do midnight-to-6a that night. After that, I begged for any shift he would toss my way!

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I was going to school for broadcast journalism with an emphasis in TV news, then at an internship at a TV station, an employee told me about a radio morning show needing an intern. Not having anything else to do and wanting to fill credit hours, I took it and spent the next seven months getting abused by the morning show, not getting paid, and loving every minute!

3) What is your favorite part of the job?

Getting here and realizing my key still works. Actually, I still get the thrill from nailing a great bit, connecting with the listeners, working on a killer promotion, and the excitement from hearing a great new piece of music and knowing it will be a smash!

4) What is the most challenging part of the job?

Finding the time to devote to every aspect of my job!

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

A website content director! Everything is website, website, website ... I need someone to constantly be on top of that!

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

JoJo Wright at KIIS. I've admired for years the way he turns his shift into a show every night of the week. A long time ago a listener of mine who was in LA had him call me and I was smitten ever since. Ha ha. And Dave Ryan at KDWB ... creative genius! I love his "out-of-the-box" thinking when it comes to mornings.

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

Growing up in Columbus, it was the Classic Rock station Q-FM 96, then 99.7 The Blitz signed on and I fell in love with it. As a guilty pleasure, I'd listen to WNCI ... but would deny it back then if anyone asked me!

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

My wife is in a couple of Irish bands (Ladies of Longford and Vinegar Hill) and so I enjoy listening to Irish music ... plus I have a deep rooted love for Classic Rock.

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

9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Do more than people expect from you and work hard at what you love to do and the money will find you.

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

I'm going to say what many people have ... do everything you can at the station. Learn all aspects of the radio business and make yourself as valuable as you can!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I went to college as a pre-med major ... I thought I was going to be a doctor.