10 Questions with ... Bobby Bennett

NAME:Bobby Bennett TITLE:Program Director/ On Air Talent STATION:XM Satellite Radio -- Channel 60 (Soul Street) MARKET:Nationwide COMPANY:XM Satellite Radio BORN:7/20 RAISED:Pittsburgh, PA

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

My first job was at WAMO AM in Pittsburgh, doing news. I worked with air personalities Al Gee and Sir Walter

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it?"

I loved music and enjoyed talking with people. I won a "student of the week" award in high school, and one of the prizes was a visit to the local radio station (WAMO) to be on the air. After that, I knew that radio was my calling.

3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't know then, would you still do it?

Yes, but I would probably go into TV.

4) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

I see myself living on the beach at my home in Florida, and communicating with students at colleges and universities about the industry that I have made my living in all these years.

5) What do you see as the biggest changes in the satellite industry since you first started at XM?

Acceptance by the general public as well as the radio industry. We at XM have grown from 0 to eight-and-a-half million subscribers in six years and continue to grow. I think the public realizes that satellite radio offers so much more than is available on AM or FM radio.

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

The one thing that I have always tried to do throughout my career, is give the public the best performance I have every day I'm on the air.

7) What kind of difference has Jon Zellner made since he joined XM Radio?

Jon has given us the benefit of his leadership in the programming department, but he has let us run our channels in our own way.

8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

There is always room for improvement, no matter who you are, but to look at one particular area to improve on, I can't say. I have been pretty happy with the direction my career has taken.

9) How do you see the industry's perception of satellite radio changing in the future?

I think that the industry will accept satellite radio just like cable TV has been accepted.

10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

Not really, like most people I would like to make more money, but other than that I have no regrets.

What would people who think they know Bobby Bennett be surprised to find out?

That I am a sports junkie ... especially golf!

Do you still do and enjoy your voiceover work?

Absolutely, I started doing voiceovers back in the '70s when there weren't that many black voices doing them, and it has been a wonderful experience. With the technology that we have now, I can work from home, and that makes it even easier

What's was the toughest part of changing over from terrestrial radio to satellite radio?

It was very easy, the best part is, we can venture into an area of music that we couldn't dare do on FM radio. In other words, we can play the entire Temptations catalog not just a few songs that were top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

How large is the music library for the soul oldies channel you are now in charge of? Does it change from year-to-year?

We currently have about 4,000 songs in our catalog. We may add a song every now and then as they come available,

Describe your favorite meal?

Seafood gumbo.