Chachi Loves Everybody

Chachi Loves Everybody is a feel-good, big-conversation podcast about the people who shape our world and the stories that shape them. From radio to music, leadership to life lessons, Chachi brings curiosity, energy, and genuine connection to every conversation. No ego. No gotchas. Just real talk with people doing interesting things. Because at the end of the day… Chachi really does love everybody.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Angela Perelli is a radio and podcast talent and life coach with over 30 years of radio experience, including programming at groundbreaking female-targeted radio stations. She shares how her unique skillset allows her to carve her own path and develop top talent.   On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Angela about: Growing up in San Francisco,  and how she got pulled into radio Transitioning from being an intern, to talent, to AP,D to PD, and learning which programming approaches worked best  How she built a competitive radio station in LA and helped figure out how to modern AC format Managing big personalities as a Program Director Developing Ryan Seacrest and how he used talent and hustle to find success The challenges she faces in a changing music landscape, and how to navigate stressful times in radio Moving to Canada and what she learned from  Canadian radio Becoming a consultant and life coach, and launching Angela Perelli Consulting Her advice for the next generation of broadcasters. And More! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Angela Perelli has over 30 years of experience in major market radio, with the past 16 devoted specifically to the development of personalities and personality brands. She’s worked with: Ryan Seacrest; Kevin & Bean, KROQ/Los Angeles; Marilyn Denis & Jamar, CHUM 104.5/Toronto; Dave Ryan Show, KDWB/Minneapolis; Miguel & Holly, Hot 105.3/Tampa; Carson Daly, Jamie White, Mercedes in the Morning, That Guy Kramer, Nat & Drew and Jonny, Holly & Nira in Vancouver and many many more.    Seeing a gap between the feedback needs of talent and the time and bandwidth of managers, she used her unique skillset-combination of major market radio and life coaching expertise to meet performers where they are and inspire them to reach their full potential.    Prior to launching her own company, she spent over 20 years in programming at groundbreaking female-targeted radio stations, KIOI-FM (K101)/San Francisco and KYSR-FM (Star 98.7)/Los Angeles, winning multiple industry awards.   ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.   ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments. Web: benztown.com Facebook: facebook.com/benztownradio Twitter: @benztownradio LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztown Instagram: instagram.com/benztownradio   PEOPLE MENTIONED:  Kevin and Bean Carson Daly Shoboy Chet Buchanan Dr. Don Don Bleu Bobby Cole Bill Stairs  Bob Lawrence Dave Shakes John Evans Larry Berger Deborah Parenti Leslie Visser Dan Vallie   Randy Lane Mark and Brian Mark and Kim Rick Dees Big Boy Dave Beasing Mark Goodman Larry Morgan Jamie, Frosty and Frank Greg Sims Lara Scott Rick Stacey Ryan Seacrest Lisa Fox  Guy Zapoleon Steve Davis Ken Christensen Tony Novio Dan Granger Dave Ryan Miguel and Holly Nat & Drew Jonny, Holly & Nira See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Shotgun Tom Kelly is a legendary Southern California broadcaster with experience at iconic stations and several broadcasting awards. He shares his journey from high school announcer to Emmy-winning icon with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Shotgun Tom about: Growing up in San Diego and working his first gig as a high schooler Getting into legal trouble operating a pirate station from his garage His love of trains, radio towers, and other hobbies  Becoming an Emmy-winning children’s TV host How he got the name “Shotgun Tom Kelly” The story of the iconic hat he’s worn for over 55 years, and presenting one to President Reagan Filling the shoes of Real Don Steele and hosting other oldies shows like 60s Gold on SiriusXM Creating “Shotgun Tom’s Jukebox Live From the Corvette Diner” Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Stevie Wonder’s role in theceremony His book, “All I Wanna Do Is Play The Hits”, available now on Amazon His advice for the next generation And More! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: “Shotgun Tom” Kelly has been entertaining Southern California radio and TV audiences for over 6 decades. He has worked at such renowned radio stations as KGB (in its “Boss Radio” days) and gained national acclaim at the legendary KCBQ. “Shotgun Tom” was honored at B-100 radio (KFMB-FM) with the Billboard magazine Air Personality of the Year Award for Major Markets in the mid-70’s. He also received two Emmy Awards for his performance as host of the McGraw-Hill syndicated TV word game show “Words-a-Poppin’” for children. For twelve years at KUSI-TV he was host of their morning and afternoon children’s programs. In 1997, after a nationwide talent search, “Shotgun Tom” Kelly was chosen by CBS Radio’s K-EARTH 101/Los Angeles to fill the coveted afternoon drive slot after the death of The Real Don Steele. In 2000, “Shotgun Tom” won Radio and Records “Oldies Air Personality of the Year” and competed for that award with radio personalities in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit. “Shotgun Tom” is also heard around the country doing voice work and commercials for many other stations. In 2013, “Shotgun Tom” Kelly received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and La Brea Ave. LINKS:  Shotgun’s latest book, All I Wanna Do Is Play The Hits!: https://www.amazon.com/All-Wanna-Do-Play-Hits/dp/B0DB6YCM97 His Emmy award: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNddkwtGnqs His Walk of Fame star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNQek1WYE_c Riding his dad’s train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLe1BkEibRYMore model trains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGIRpgVUUg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDq3zp56Xkk ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.   ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments. Web: benztown.com Facebook: facebook.com/benztownradio Twitter: @benztownradio LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztown Instagram: instagram.com/benztownradio   PEOPLE MENTIONED:  Johnny Downs Jhani Kaye Bob Nursing Robert W Morgan Real Don Steel Wolfman Jack Thomas K Arnold Neil Ross Ken Levine Charlie VanDyke Bill Drake KO Bailey Bob Elliot Peter Huntington May Buzz Bennet Rich Brother Robbin Bobby Ocean Harry Scarborough Jack McCoy Rod Stewart Phil Bower Bobby RichChuck Browning Wes Meisnitzer Dan Mason Ronald Reagan Dave Sniff Tommy Sablan Jeff and Jer Mark Larson Charleton Heston Wayne Newton Frank Sinatra Duncan Hunter Michael Reagan Vin Scully Marty Levine Pat Duffy Mark Dennis Stevie Wonder Gary Bryan? Milton Hardaway Mark Wahlberg Steve Harvey Shawn Andre Dick Clark Clint August See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Dave Ryan is the Marconi-winning host of the Dave Ryan Show. He shares a wealth of stories and advice from his successful radio career in the Twin Cities and beyond.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Dave Ryan about:Studying broadcasting at community college in Colorado and feeding goats during his first gig at a religious station.The comedians and personalities he grew up admiring and borrowing fromMoving to Vegas to do mornings on KLUC and endearing himself to listeners with his stuntsLearning to work as a team in Columbus with Tom KellyHis struggles filling the shoes of popular personalities and how he overcame themLanding a competitive job at KDWB in Minneapolis and the story behind his Ugly Kids billboardsHow he coaches talent and chooses his co-hostsBecoming an author and why he wrote 2 booksHow he became interested in many hobbies, including magic, ukulele, and flyingHis advice to aspiring radio professionalsAnd More!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Dave Ryan has been waking up the Twin Cities for over three decades. His sense of humor, high energy and too much honesty has captivated listeners to tune in every weekday, at least when there are good ticket giveaways.Dave is not just the host of a Marconi-winning morning show but also a serial hobbyist. From ukulele, to flying, to trolling people online, Dave continues to try new things, only to forget about them a week later and pick up a new hobby. He’s also an author, which you most likely know already because whether it’s Christmas or the 4th of July, he’ll plug his children’s book, “Little Dave’s Amazing Day”, that you guessed it, is about himself, Dave. BUT 2-4 year olds do give it a 5-star review!You can listen to the Dave Ryan in the Morning Show weekdays 5:30 – 10am with Daddy Bear himself, Dave Ryan, a woman that people confuse for Sasquatch, a kid from Jersey that doesn’t know the difference between 1 and 10 spritzes of cologne, and Ruth Buzzi.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Jeff and JerHeather CohenDon DexterRick DeesMilton BerleDan JacksonTracy JohnsonScott ThrowerBill RichardsTom KellyIrma BlancoJohn LondonGeorge LopezBob BeersJerry LewisDave RobbinsBruce KellySuper SnakeSteve SmithSteve CochranMark BulkeyMark ColemanDavid MartinPat EbertzLee ValsvikAngie TaylorDan SeamanSteve ShureJenny LuttenbergerBailey HessVont LeakBethany WatsonElvis DuranFalen BonsettIntern JohnAce and TJFrankie and GinaRandy LaneTodd and TylerBob BarkerJhani KRod RoddyABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Lesley Visser is the most highly acclaimed female sportscaster of all time. She shares her journey to becoming the first woman to achieve numerous recognitions, the people who helped get her there, and many great stories from along the way.Visser was honored as a Giants of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation at the 2025 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Lesley Visser about:Growing up with a love of sports and getting a Carnegie Foundation scholarship to go into the male-dominated field of sports writingThe terrifying but exciting honor of being the first woman to cover the NFL Beat at The Boston GlobeTransitioning from writing to broadcasting on TV at CBS SportsGetting to present the Lombardi TrophyTraveling the world to report on major news such as the fall of the Berlin WallWorking with other legendary sports figures like Greg Gumbel and Terry Bradshaw, and riding on John Madden’s busThe greatest events she’s covered from Super Bowls to Final Fours to The Olympics and moreWhat it means to be a trailblazing woman, how sports reporting is evolving, and the progress that must still be madeThe role of technology in sports journalism, and her advice to future journalistsAnd More!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Lesley Visser is the most highly acclaimed female sportscaster of all time. Across numerous accolades, she has been the “First” – the First woman enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; the First woman to win the Lifetime Achievement Sports Emmy and the First woman to win the Broadcasters Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award; the First woman on the Network broadcasts of the Final Four, the NBA Finals, the Super Bowl and the World Series. She is the First and only woman to have presented the Championship Lombardi Trophy at the Super Bowl. She was the First woman to cover the NFL as a beat, the First woman on Monday Night Football and the First female NFL analyst in both Radio and TV. She was the First female sportscaster to carry the Olympic Torch and the only winner of the Billie Jean King “Outstanding Journalist Award.”Visser is the only sportscaster – male or female – to have worked on the network broadcasts of the Final Four, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the Olympics, the World Series, the Triple Crown, the World Figure Skating Championship and the US Open Tennis.Visser was voted the No. 1 Female Sportscaster of All-Time by the National Sportscasters of America. Her career began at the Boston Globe in 1974 after she won a Carnegie Foundation grant, given to only 20 women in the country who wanted to go into jobs that were 95% male. The Boston Globe made her the First woman to cover the NFL as a beat, at a time when the credentials said, "No Women or Children in the Press Box." She was elected to the National Sports Media Hall of Fame for her writing at the Boston Globe, magazines and CBS.com, and she was voted to the Sportscasters Hall of Fame for her work at CBS, ABC, ESPN and HBO. Visser has been named a Muhammad Ali “Daughter of Greatness” and won the Newseum Award for Lifetime Achievement – First given to Walter Cronkite. She reported from the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, focusing on how sports would change in East Germany after reunification, and had the privilege, in 2013, of throwing out the First pitch for her beloved Red Sox. In October 2024, she was honored with the Vin Scully Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting by Fordham University’s public media service, WFUV.A graduate of Boston College, which awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in 2007, she served on the Board of the V Foundation for Cancer Research for more than 20 years, while also serving on the Board of NYU’s “Sports and Society.” Visser has mentored young women for decades, while speaking at colleges and businesses around the world – from Doha, Qatar, to Charleston, South Carolina, where she delivered an address at the Renaissance Weekend, founded by President Clinton. Her book, Sometimes You Have to Cross When It Says Don’t Walk, is a memoir of breaking barriers. It has been optioned for both a movie and a TV series.The Hall of Fame sportscaster has spent more than 30 years at CBS and more than 45 in the business. She is a contributor to the only all-female network sports show, We Need To Talk, on CBS, and had a podcast, In Conversation with Lesley Visser, on SiriusXM. Visser has been voted one of the “Women we Love” by Esquire magazine and one of the “Five Ideal Dinner Guests” by GQ.She and her husband, Bob Kanuth, a former captain of Harvard basketball, live in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Rick Dees is an radio legend, entertainer, comedian. He shares how he created one of the most iconic countdowns in history and redefined what it means to connect with the audience in this hilarious career retrospective.Dees will be among those honored this fall as Giants of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation at the 2025 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony on November 14th at Gotham Hall in New York City.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Rick Dees about:His early misadventures in radio as a high school and college student in North CarolinaThe story behind creating Disco Duck, how it became a hit, and how it got him firedGetting tapped by Dick Clark to go on air in Los Angeles, and becoming a household name in LA and beyondThe entertainers and unlikely sources that inspired him as a performer and storytellerLearning to invest after people tried to steal from him, and his financial adviceWhy he bought a farm in KentuckyCreating the Weekly Top 40 and how it became the longest continuously running countdown ever.Starring in a late night show opposite Johnny Carson His other ventures including his farm, his own app, cookbook, and launching Home Living which became the Cooking ChannelAnd More!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Rick Dees is a radio legend, comedic genius and multi-talented entertainer, known for his captivating enthusiasm and quick-witted humor, which continue to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment world.With an extraordinary career spanning decades, Dees has entertained and delighted millions across the globe, solidifying his place as one of the most influential and beloved figures in broadcasting history.Best known for his internationally syndicated radio show, The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, Dees’ familiar voice and unforgettable characters are heard by more than 70 million listeners each weekend, spanning virtually every city in the United States, 125 countries, 27 massive ships at sea, and the Armed Forces Radio Network. His show even broke barriers by becoming the first English-speaking radio program to entertain listeners in Beijing, China, making history in the process.Rick Dees rose to prominence when he took over the top-rated morning show on KIIS-FM Los Angeles in July 1981, turning it into the number one revenue-generating radio station in America and making him the hottest property in radio. His unprecedented success earned him Billboard’s Radio Personality of the Year Award an astonishing ten years in a row. Further cementing his legacy, Dees was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame and was honored with the prestigious Marconi Award.Dees embraced the digital age with the same pioneering spirit that defined his radio career. His innovative music streaming platform, BYOChannel, offers users the ability to “build their own” personalized channels from a library of over 40 million tracks. He further extended his brand’s reach with the Rick Dees Hit Music app, delivering The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and Daily Dees directly to millions of Apple and Android devices worldwide.In 2025, iHeartMedia launched two new iHeartRadio Original Streaming Stations in partnership with Rick Dees Entertainment — Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and Classic Rick Dees Top 40. The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 station features the current Weekly Top 40 program, while Classic Rick Dees Top 40 goes back in the archives to feature complete countdowns from the original shows that aired in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, many of which haven’t been heard in years.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Paul AllenLarry AllenBilly GrahamTom MillerRalph LambethGlenn PowersKen LoweSam & DaveIsaac HayesEstelle AxtonRobert StigwoodAl CoreyWolfman JackDick ClarkBill MurrayElmer BernsteinJonathan WintersJohnny CarsonPaul DrewChuck MartinLynn AndersonDon BensonBarbara StreisandMadonnaMichael JacksonWally ClarkRoger ClevelandCharlie TunaRobert W. MorganDon SteeleBernie CarnielSandy GallinDolly PartonNeil DiamondBarry DillerMichael EisnerMadeleine PughLucille BallCary GrantAva GardnerJohn StewartRobin WilliamsJulie McWhirter-DeesPeter SimoneJerry EdelsteinBette MidlerJon Bon JoviKevin DeesPaul JosephEllen KLiz FultonRachel DonahueRoy LoughlinNick VerbitskyCasey KasemLisa CanningEd WhiteShohei OtaniLesley VisserDavid MuirGary SandyABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Acclaimed actor Gary Sandy reflects on his remarkable career in television and theater, sharing insights from his TV and Broadway experience including his iconic role as Andy Travis on WKRP in Cincinnati. Sandy will be honored as an LABF Giant of Broadcasting this November.Sandy will be among those honored this fall as Giants of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation at the 2025 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony on November 14th at Gotham Hall in New York City.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Gary Sandy about:Growing up in Dayton, Ohio and aspiring to be an actorMoving to New York and working odd jobs before becoming getting his break playing  soap opera bad boysWhat it was like broadcasting live for 50 million people in As the World TurnsHow he landed the role of Andy Travis on WKRP in CincinnatiWhat went on behind the scenes of WKRP and his favorite moments from the showThe demanding but fulfilling life acting on Broadway and national toursPerforming a one man show at the Grand Ole OpryAdvice for breaking into the TV businessAnd More!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Gary Sandy is a gifted and beloved actor whose extraordinary career has spanned stage, screen, and television, earning him a lasting place in the hearts of audiences across the country.Born on Christmas Day in Dayton, Ohio, Gary attended Wilmington College of Ohio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He began his professional career in daytime television with a role created for him on As the World Turns, which launched a successful seven-year run of memorable performances in Another World, Somerset, and his personal favorite, The Secret Storm. The impact these roles played on his later career cannot be underestimated. According to Sandy, “The pressure of performing in front of a live audience or live tape made everything else a little easier. Ït was 40 or 50 million people RIGHT NOW!  You were not allowed to make a mistake. Nothing else could be more terrifying.”Best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Andy Travis, America’s favorite Program Director, in the classic sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Gary brought life to the role of a young leader navigating the unpredictable world of a struggling radio station with charm, wit, and authenticity. His natural charisma and comedic instincts helped make WKRP a cultural touchstone and a beloved part of American television history.Beyond WKRP, Gary received acclaim for his role in Norman Lear’s All That Glitters and made memorable guest appearances on many hit shows, including Murder, She Wrote, F.B.I: The Untold Story, The Young Riders, L.A. Law, and Diagnosis Murder. His television film credits include Melvin Purvis: The Kansas City Massacre, Shell Game, For Lovers Only, and Nashville Grab.On the big screen, Gary’s range shone through in films such as Hail to the Chief, Some of My Best Friends Are, Troll, and The Last of the Cowboys, where he starred alongside the legendary Henry Fonda. He also appeared in the Oscar-nominated film The Insider, further establishing his reputation as a skilled and versatile actor.A dedicated stage performer, Gary has starred in more than 100 theatrical productions. He made his Broadway debut in Saturday, Sunday, Monday, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and went on to take on leading roles in Broadway productions like The Pirates of Penzance (as the Pirate King) and the Broadway revival of Arsenic and Old Lace (as Mortimer). His stage credits also include standout performances in Barnum, Sweet Bird of Youth, The Foreigner, and A Streetcar Named Desire.His musical theater work has been equally impressive, with standout roles as Billy Flynn in Chicago, Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, and Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd opposite Ann-Margret in the national tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Gary’s performance as Harold Hill in The Music Man has become a signature role, earning praise in seven different productions.Gary’s Off-Broadway and regional theater work includes The Children’s Mass (produced by Sal Mineo), and innovative adaptations such as Sheba (based on Come Back, Little Sheba), Luv, and Windy City (a musical version of The Front Page). In recent years, he’s received acclaim for his work in live radio drama, bringing a fresh energy to a classic medium.From his unforgettable turn as Andy Travis on WKRP in Cincinnati to his commanding stage presence in theaters across the country, Gary Sandy’s body of work reflects a lifetime devoted to storytelling, craft, and connection with audiences.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Henry FondaDeborah ParentiJohn Cameron SwayzeRobert RedfordJean ArleyJoe ManettaDavid MuirAlexander ScourbyMary Tyler MooreGordon JumpLonnie AndersonHoward HessemanFrank BonnersRichard SandersTim ReidJan SmithersKevin KleinAnna MargaretShirlee Mae AdamsJane FondaErnest ThompsonLois NettletonChuck McCannNorman LearJoe AllenFrank BonnerLoni AndersonStacy KeachTootsie BessDolly PartonLesley VisserRick DeesDick FergusonRoy ScheiderGene HackmanABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Steven Portnoy is a national correspondent for ABC News Radio. He has covered Congress and the White House and served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. He shares his journey to becoming an iconic storyteller and receiving the 2025 Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Steven Portnoy about:His young life in South Brunswick, NJ, and the news legends who inspired himHis involvement in college radio at Syracuse University, then landing roles at local TV and radio stationsReporting on major events including 9/11, the war in Afghanistan, and Hurricane KatrinaGetting selected for the prestigious ABC News White House Internship and moving to D.C.Working his way to network news and becoming a credentialed White House correspondent and a brief history of White House press coverageHow he became president of the White House Correspondents’ Association while covering the Trump and Biden presidencies for CBS, and why he decided to return to ABCWinning an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of Osama Bin Laden’s deathHis greatest stories from Air Force One and beyondBeing selected for the LABF’s Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award and the importance of preserving broadcast materialsAdvice to aspiring journalists and the necessity of working across platformsAnd more!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: With more than two decades of experience reporting from Washington, Steven Portnoy is one of America’s preeminent audio storytellers. From every major dateline in D.C., he has brought listeners to presidential inaugurals, congressional debates, State of the Union addresses and Supreme Court oral arguments. A past president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, Portnoy spent seven years covering the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations from the second row of the White House briefing room. Portnoy returned to ABC News — where he began his career – in 2023 after more than eight years at CBS News, where he served as a congressional correspondent before reporting from the White House.At CBS, Portnoy was part of the team that broke the news of the prisoner swap that resulted in Brittney Griner’s safe return. He also covered the criminal trials involving former President Trump. In the spring of 2023, Portnoy reported extensively on the murder of a legendary broadcaster for the three-hour network CBS radio documentary,“Who Killed George Polk?” Portnoy has vast experience covering national politics, having reported for ABC through the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections and for CBS in 2016 and 2020. His reporting has won both networks Edward R. Murrow awards for breaking news, continuing coverage and overall excellence. Portnoy is an accomplished live broadcaster. He was on the air for more than eight hours on January 6th, anchoring CBS News Radio’s award-winning live coverage of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He served as CBS News Radio’s election night anchor in 2020. He anchored ABC Radio’s coverage of the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.Steven Portnoy first joined ABC in 2002, as an intern for the White House unit of World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. A year later, he joined ABC-owned station WMAL-AM in Washington, where he reported on local news. In 2006, Portnoy joined ABC News as a correspondent.In 2008, Portnoy was named a Peter Jennings Fellow by the National Constitution Center. He was honored with the Bayliss Horizon Award by the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation in 2005 and took first place in the radio competition at the Hearst Broadcast News Championships in 2001.While he was a student at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Portnoy produced television newscasts at WIXT-TV (now WSYR-TV) and WSTM-TV and reported for WSYR-AM.He lives in Washington with his husband, Ryan.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Doug LimerickAnne ComptonVic RatnerPeter MayerMark KnollerHarley CarnesDeborah RodriguezPaul HarveyPeter JenningsHoward SternJonathan WolfertJohn BascomBettina GregoryDavid MuirJeff GlorJerry FalwellTara HowardAaron KuturskyEd BlissWalter CronkiteEd MurrowMervyn BlockElizabeth VargasVija UdenansRobin SproulJohn MatthewsChris BerryWayne CabotChris QuimbyScott HermanSteve JonesRick DeesPam CoulterJohn Charles DaleyHarvey NaglerMark KnollerGwen IfillLesley VisserDavid MuirDavid GleasonGeorge PolkEd BradleyCraig SwaglerMatt ShearerABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Tim Dukes is the president of Hope Media Group. He shares his radio journey including leadership roles at Jacor, Emmis, Tribune and Clear Channel, and the lessons he learned along the way. On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Tim Dukes about:Growing up in Louisville, KY, and the host who inspired him to work in radioExaggerating his credentials to get his first radio job at Y107How his mentors taught and supported him throughout his careerMoving to Tampa and helping to build the Power Pig brandTransitioning to PD in Louisville, Cincinnati, and San DiegoNavigating Jacor’s sale to Clear Channel and joining EmmisWhy leading with creativity makes for great radioReevaluating his career and transitioning to nonprofit radio in Dallas How he became President of Hope Media GroupHow he gives back to the community-And more! ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST:Tim Dukes spent 24 years in secular media and markets that include Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa before answering God’s call to vocational ministry in 2011. He joined WayFM as General Manager of its new station in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2015 and added regional responsibility in 2019 for Way Media properties in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Indiana. In 2020, Tim was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and added interim CEO responsibilities a year later. When Way Media and Hope Media Group merged in May 2022, he became the new organization’s COO, and assumed the role of President in August 2024. Tim and his wife Susan were married in 1989 and live in Dallas, as does their adult daughter, Macy.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Art VuoloGary BurbankMark ChaseTom SteeleJason PullmanScott ShannonCoyote McLeodRhett WalkerBo WoodRandy MichaelsJack EvansGary EdensJohn AnthonyBJ HarrisJeff KapugiDave MannJeff LawrenceDon CarpenterJack HarrisMike AlblTom OwensBrad HardinCarolyn GilbertVin ScullyJeff and JerGreg SummsTracy JohnsonJagger and ChristieBooby LawrenceRick DeesJean RomanoBill PughJeff SmulyanRick CummingsPat McDonaldMike SternJimmy SteelJonathan BrandmeierSam ZellSean ComptonMike O'ConnorFrank ReedJoe PauloABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE SUMMARY: Deborah Parenti is a broadcasting trailblazer who currently oversees some of the industry’s most respected brands and events, including Radio Ink, Radio + Television Business Report, Forecast, and the Hispanic Radio Conference. She shares stories of how she broke through barriers throughout her career, culminating in her induction into the Radio Hall of Fame.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Deborah Parenti about:Falling in love with radio as a child growing up in Dayton, OhioMoving to LA to help syndicate Wolfman JackHow she overcame her shyness and learned to put herself out there and go for itThe value of marketing and research in radio and the importance of knowing where statistics come fromOvercoming gender discrimination and how she was held back by some and supported by many othersBecoming the first female GM in Dayton, and how she climbed up the sales ladderWhat makes for a strong company culture and good teams, and the importance of communityMoving to Philadelphia and the challenges of being a leader in a larger marketPutting together the Hispanic Radio Conference and Forecast, then publishing RadioInkHer advice for future radio professionalsAnd more!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Radio Ink President and Publisher Deborah Parenti is a distinguished executive in the radio industry, having held roles in marketing and research and sales prior to several management positions. Later in her career, she assumed the Publisher role of Radio Ink and Radio + Television Business Report, two influential industry publications. Deborah’s career including years of success in both Dayton, OH, and Louisville, KY, working with WING-AM and WWSN-FM and WDJX -FM. She became the first female General Manager in Dayton, overseeing WMMX-FM’s success with both ratings and revenue. She went on to become the VP/GM of American Radio Systems group of stations in Dayton, one of the first managers of a consolidated group of radio stations in a single market. In 1997, she joined Broadcast Group in Philadelphia to become VP/GM of WXTU-FM, a premier country-formatted station.A decade later, Deborah Parenti joined Streamline Publishing in 2007. Her accomplishments are many, including leading Radio Ink’s editorial and management staff to recognize radio industry leadership in management, sales and programming in a variety of formats and management genres. The expanse and influence of the set of publications has allowed the industry a forum for conversations at multiple annual meetings organized by the publication to further the industry’s evolution of new programming, new technology and more.Deborah’s efforts and industry impact have been recognized by the Broadcast Foundation of America and the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame, among others. In 2023, Deborah Parenti was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Ray SparWolfman JackChris ForgyGlenn BellMichael J. FoxJim BennettMaddie ShriverPierre BouvardBill BurtonSteve DodgeEric RhodesAlan GrayBill CampbellChris SheebleBrad FuhrSteve DodgeDave PerlmanTom StonerGlen BellAvis EckelGarth BrooksTrisha YearwoodMike McVayPat PaxtonFrank SinatraSteve LawrencePiolinShoboyEd KrampfJim CarnegieAdam JacobsonABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world-class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles, New York, London and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Daily Dees Show, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now, AudioLogger, Audio Architecture, Radio Merch Shop, The Rooster Show Prep, AmeriCountry, and Benztown Swag Bank. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: The Making of: A National Geographic Podcast, Run It Again, Hot Chicken and Cage-Free Conversation with Byron Kennedy, and Edelman Financial Engines’ Everyday Wealth.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.