10 Questions with ... Todd Bell

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Nearly 30 years on air experience. Done everything from "Quiet Storm" format to oldies, Hip Hop/R&B, Urban AC, Jazz, Blues, and Talk.

1) What are you up to these days?

I'm living the dream, I get to get up at 4am and help to get people's mornings started off on a good and positive note while talking to them via my friends/co-hosts, all while doing what I love. Truly doesn't feel like work. I'd gladly do this for free, but since there's a market for it and they're paying, I'll continue to accept the payments.

2) How did get into radio?

I got into radio by volunteering at my college radio station, WHOV-FM, at Hampton U (The Real HU, thank ya very much!!!). I was a broadcast journalism major and had initially gotten into radio in order to be a better storyteller for Television, in order to buttress my training as a news anchor. All of my inspirations at the time - Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, Edward R. Murrow and others had radio backgrounds, so I decided to follow that path. I ended up falling in love with radio and quickly knew that this would be my path!

3) If you changed careers, what would you like to do?

I'd be a singer, hands down. I have sung all of my life, all the way back to my childhood in church. As a matter of fact, I sing with a few "industry bands" now and regularly perform at weddings, corporate events, Bar mitzvahs and festivals. I've also been blessed to perform in many states as well as Africa and the U.K.

4) What's the most difficult thing about being an air personality?

This is a hard question because I don't see anything "difficult" about my job. If I had to throw something out there, maybe I'd say that some people may make assumptions that ALL on air personalities are presumptuous and that's not me. I'm only presumptuous on Tuesdays and Thursdays until about 3PM – and maybe on my birthday. Other than that, I'm pretty chill.

5) While growing up what air personalities caught your ear?

I grew up in Sarasota, FL, so there were people like Kenny K (rip) and Herbie the Love Sponge. Also, Casey Kasem. He was a legend and connected extremely well to his audience. On TV, there was Donnie Simpson, Don Cornelius, as well as the newsmen I mentioned before.

6) When you were young, what did you want to be?

I wanted to be an astronaut! However, I found out that I would need to be really good at math; and the way my math grades were set up… Let's just say that I realized that that was not the most feasible pursuit for a brotha! I also always wanted to be a news anchor. Always.

7) Who have been some of your influencers and mentors?

Jay Wright, my then GM at WHOV was a huge influence! He really pushed me and told me that I should really consider doing radio because I had "it." He was extremely encouraging, and we still talk today.

Another huge influence was the late KJ Holiday. Kevin Jefferson was my big bro and hired me for my very first professional radio job right out of college at WOWI in Norfolk, VA. He put me on weekends and swing shift and then just three months later, I was a full-time host of "The Quiet Storm." Less than two years later, KJ, my boss encouraged me to come to DC and take a job as host of a nighttime show, "Lovetalk & Slow Jams"! KJ was a great boss and one of the truly GOOD people in the business.

Kool DJ Law (R.I.P), of the legendary "Boodah Brothers" at WOWI, was another big influence. He was always encouraging, and he even shouted me out during a Wu-Tang Clan show while I was still a college student - which meant that he listened to my hip hop show, "Saturday Night Live," on Hampton's WHOV!

Candy Shannon, Al B Sylk, Lorenzo "Ice T" Thomas, Michel Wright, and Donnie Simpson, with whom I worked at WPGC years ago, were and are influences as well. One of the highlights of my early career was getting a call on the warmline from Donnie, telling me that he was thoroughly enjoying my shows!

8) Would you share one of your funnier radio moments?

So many! Monique Samuels, one of the co-hosts on TGMS, and I are always sniping and "going in" on each other and we always have fun with our banter. I do remember one time, many years ago, while doing "Lovetalk." We'd routinely have strippers and porn stars come through for interviews to promote appearances and shows and the like. I'll stop there because I don't wanna get anybody in trouble.

9) Any words of wisdom for up-and-coming air personalities?

It's the best of times, and worst of times. I like to focus on the good, which in this case is that you can literally create your OWN audience, brand, etc. with today's technology. I barely watch traditional television, but I do follow several good YouTubers and podcasts by folks who are mostly untrained broadcasters, but who are phenomenal communicators. They understand their audiences and lock in and build online communities (to whatever extent that is). Keep that avenue open. There is always an audience for anyone who has something to say, and who knows how to say it.

10) And the best advice you've ever been given?

Always remember your "why." Why are you doing this radio thing! And it should always be about more than self and ego, which can be hard. I have always remembered that. Also, the only competition is you. You have no control over what others are doing. The best you can do is the best you can do. The question I ask myself often is, "Is this the best I could have done?" If so, build on it. If not, learn from it.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of myself for allowing myself to be and share more of myself on the air. For many years, I think I was trying too hard to be a "great jock," as opposed to just being the best version of myself, and then sharing the best tidbits of that self with the people. When I started doing that, while holding space for the next morning show, a funny thing happened - the numbers started going up, and I was eventually offered the opportunity to do mornings in DC.

Personally, and related to the first point, I am proud of myself for how I navigated and still am navigating the death of my late wife, Michelle. Our children were 9, 5 and 2 at the time that she passed away and are now 17, 13 and 10, and are doing very well. The oldest has already been accepted to several universities and has even gotten nearly a full ride to one! He is such a great human and is a wonderful example for his siblings, who are also thriving! I am proud to have been able to, by the Grace of God, my parents and village, navigate the curves that life will throw at us, while slowly coming out on the other side as a better version of myself which has enabled my children to do the same.