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10 Questions with ... Tiffany Bentley
January 9, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started in radio at WKRL/WKLLL K-Rock in Syracuse as an intern and then as a full-time on-air personality doing nights from 6-10p and a new music show every night after that. I then got my master's degree in Arts Journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. I then pursued a career in arts journalism, working for a publication covering Pennsylvania and New Jersey and then freelancing in NYC. I returned to radio in Buffalo, NY to do mornings for WLKK Alternative Buffalo and then was Music Director promoted to Assistant Program Director at WEDG in Buffalo. Currently I am the Program Director at WBFO The Bridge for Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Radio was an outlet for me as a teenager growing up in a small rural area. Music taught me a lot about the world that I didn't see when I walked outside my door. I wanted to find some way to contribute to that in my own way.
2. After working at K-ROCK/Syracuse, what led you to become a music journalist?
Just as much as radio was an outlet for me growing up, so was Rolling Stone Magazine. The first thing I did when I was old enough to have a job at 14 was subscribe. Talk about learning about a world you didn't know, I dove in hard. I wanted to know everything about every artist I liked and artists I needed to know about. I wanted to dive into people's brains behind the music and tell their stories.
3. I hear you were doing an NPR Radio show in PA – Tell us how that came about?
I moved to the Lehigh Valley and was working for a newspaper/online news source as a features writer handling arts and entertainment coverage. The local affiliate WDIY had a daily music show called The Blend and I basically bothered the Program Director until he gave me a shift. I really loved doing that show.
4. When you worked at the syndicate in NYC you expanded your experience to metal and other genres writing blogs and articles. What did you learn from this diversity in music?
I learned that while genres can vary differently in sound, there are a lot of common threads and influences. Passion, life struggles and political climate all find their way in across the board.
5. What made you go for the PD job at WBFO "The Bridge from WEDG?
I really loved the WDIY show I did in PA/NJ. I found myself very nostalgic for it periodically after that, especially being able to program a variety of music. I'm also an NPR and PBS nerd so the chance to also be able to work with those brands was a huge draw. Being able to also work for Tom Calderone with his reputation and pedigree pretty much sealed the deal.
6. What are the long-term goals musically, and in the community for The Bridge?
The great thing about this station is that it's constantly evolving even in the short time it's been a brand. And it will continue to evolve with the market. The Buffalo, Toronto area is always changing but is also very connected to each area's roots. Musically, that should always be reflected on The Bridge and the exciting thing is we can do what we want with that. We always want to focus what the community wants, expose them to new artists and support new artists locally and nationally while also providing the nostalgia that made listeners fall in love with radio in the first place.
7. Tell us the benefits of having access to WNED-TV the PBS station and the collaborations you have done or are planning?
Prior to when I recently joined the team, The Bridge presented WNED PBS programming that included the Coldplay Head Full of Dreams tour, the iconic 1985 Syracuse Carrie Dome Prince show and The David Bowie Serious Moonlight 1983 Vancouver show. All was matched with special programming on The Bridge.
Every Tuesday night we air locally the Killer Mike series Love and Respect. (We obviously play Run the Jewels on The Bridge)
We have Austin City Limits collaborations planned for 2023 and the project I'm most excited about is the Chuck D documentary set to air on PBS starting January 31. Fight The Power, How Hip Hop changed the world is a superb documentary series that I really can't wait for people to see. We will have music programming on The Bridge to coincide with that.
8. Tell us about your plans for live sessions and creative content.
When I say we have an amazing performance space, I don't even know how to do it justice. We have a baby grand piano. We also have a TV studio and the means to provide multi-media content in a very professional way. We plan to bring breaking artists in that come through town, especially in the AAA format, artists that maybe did not have a home in Buffalo before this.
9. What's the biggest challenge being a working Mom in radio with an 8-month-old?
Time management and focus. I was always married to and obsessed with my career. Now I am very obsessed with my baby. I want to hang out with him all of the time and hug and kiss him and just stare at him. It's really hard to have a baby in daycare emotionally and GERMS. The poor kid can't catch a break and has been sick a lot. Fortunately, my employer is very flexible, and my partner owns his own business, so we do have flexibility that many parents don't have. And when I am at work, I know I need to be doing this for me, and for my baby in the long run.
10.What would surprise people most about you?
I still get stage fright. Let's be honest. I have everything fright.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Hanging out with my baby whenever I can. Buying stuff for my baby. Reading about my baby.
First record ever purchased?
CD- TLC 'CrazySexyCool'
Vinyl – The Vines 'Highly Evolved'Favorite band of all-time?
Favorite band is always the toughest to answer. I once attended a panel with David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine, and he was asked what album he couldn't live without. He straight up refused to answer it, but in a kind way. It's like asking to choose your favorite child.
Nirvana
Anything Jack White touches -
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