My Article On Steve Benz

                            The Man Behind The Mic 

A few months ago, like many other Facebook and Twitter bored workers, I came across an interesting post from one of my favorite 80's music icons. Being the typical 80's girl, (yes that included a very very short period dressed like Duran Duran), I found a fan site for one of my all time favorite singers. I found Limahl's (of Kajagoogoo fame) fan page. I was so excited to find it and to find out what he'd been working on. By the time I got done going through his website, he posted something that grabbed me. It read, “Hey guys, check out this interview I did with Steve Benz of WSDI in Chicago.” 

Who is Steve Benz and why haven’t I heard of WSDI? As a Facebooker, I quickly “friended” Steve, not knowing what I was about to discover. After listening to Limahl's interview, listening to Steve's afternoon shows, and laughing at his daily status updates, I decided it was the right time to interview the “Man Behind The Mic.”

Steve, a Chicago native, left for LA in his twenties. At time of his decision, Steve was reluctant to leave. His family had just found out his Mom was diagnosed with cancer. With the wonderful support of his Mother, She encouraged him to go and follow his dreams and leave for Los Angeles. As each mile passed, Steve kept hearing the song “Never Surrender” by Corey Hart on each radio station he would choose, not knowing at the time what an inspiration and impact that song will have on him throughout the years.

Like most in LA, Steve gained experience doing odd jobs in the film, television and radio. No one carried coffee with so much flair or height. After a few short stints in LA, Steve had an opportunity to return to his hometown and continue his radio and television journey. I had the pleasure of listening him tell me about his first radio job. Steve was hired as on over night DJ at a now forgotten Illinois AM radio station.

He was eager to get started and play music for his overnight audience. "You never know if anyone is listening at 3 am, and if they are, do they have the munchies," laughed Steve. It turned out, the GM was listening one early morning and heard his station jamming to Motley Crue and Duran Duran and other 80's/90's rockers. No one mentioned to Steve that his shift was for "jazz" music only. How do you go from pop music during the day to "jazz" at night? Radio is a weird industry. "I switched on jazz albums after that call, and grabbed my blankie. OK  so I suggested the listeners do too."

After a stint hosting a business television program called The Pocket Protectors and more side jobs, Steve ended up starting a new entertainment radio program on a suburban radio station. The show "Stranger Days," was born. It was Steve's hour-long program examining the importance of pop culture and the latest news of the week. He could be heard taking calls, introducing a variety of guests and taking musical breaks. Like most radio shows, Steve took his show to syndication and reinvented himself and his co-host as: "On the Road with Johnny No Name and Spiro." There was no location, they wouldn't try to stop at or talk about. The show was just starting to peak when tragedy set in. Steve's co-host passed away unexpectedly. Just another set back for Steve to overcome.

Soon after, Steve realized that he needed to resurrect his original entertainment talk show and where else should he host it than a small room in a local beauty salon. Yes, I said beauty salon. Steve's new studio location inside had a viewing window so patrons could walk by and watch. In Steve words, "it was my statement on the local morning news shows on the streets of Chicago. Where else could you sit down and actually be a part of a local talk show. On top of that, I had a live microphone in the salon so anyone could join in on the fun. I just got annoyed at how the TV stations would ignore the people watching outside the studio, so I decided to let the viewers and listeners join my broadcast."

So let me get this straight, Steve's sitting in private space in a hair salon, hosting his radio show, people walking by, wondering what he is doing...and then he offered to wash your hair if you came to watch/listen to the broadcast? I almost peed in my pants laughing! Why isn't this guy doing morning radio? Why isn't this guy being heard by everyone across the country? Just his guest list alone should have gotten him noticed.

With the success of the latest version of his entertainment show, Steve joined WSDI in Chicago. They officially launched April 1, 2011. Seeing the joke in that, Steve took to the airwaves and promoted the new station WSEX, sex talk for those needing information; An April Fool's joke that helped launched the station and his afternoon show.

WSDI in Chicago is a unique idea. Steve as the Programming Manager and believed unknown talent needed an avenue to be heard. It was their opportunity to broadcast their music, entertainment or educational program. It was their shot to be heard. Very few radio stations give unknowns a chance, and Steve felt that needed to be changed.

While looking for new content for WSDI, Steve found a variety of talented people hosting their own podcasts. This included a local host Matt Kubinski. He started his movie review program with friend Ry the Movie guy and produced a show called CinemaJaw. Both Matt and Ry weren't having any luck finding a station that believed in their show. Steve did and thought they had chemistry but just needed a little guidance. “Steve thought it was just the sort of thing that WSDI needed to give it more range of format. Plus he was so forthcoming with honest criticism and great advice about creating a show that has helped us enormously! Our show is way better for our relationship with WSDI," said Matt. Another unknown host in Tennessee came across Steve and WSDI.

Eric Blumanhorst wanted to join WSDI because the station had a different philosophy than any station he had encountered. Eric loved the fact that Steve was able to choose his own playlist of music without interference from management. He played what the listeners wanted to hear. Eric quickly began working with Steve when he added his show Revolver Underground- Indie Music to die for. Eric added, “Steve doesn't like going down the well traveled path. He's more of a pioneer. His ideas may go against the grain but that's what draws me to work with him. His passion for a great radio experience is what drives him, along with knowing his listeners are getting what they want. I've heard him talk about times when he had to get a part-time job just to keep things running! If that's not passion and determination I don't know what is”. 

Another successful program on WSDI is called “The Total Education Network” hosted by Neil S. Haley. “Steve gave me a big break by picking up my show. His platform has helped grow the Total Education Network. He is a great host and has a great brand”.

One of the things that Steve told himself when he joined WSDI, was that he wanted it to be a place for unknown talent. As time would go on, little did he know he would be one of them. You see what draws my attention as well as many other fans of his, is his ability to bring people in and make them feel comfortable with his quirkiness and humorous way of thinking.

He recently renamed his interview show: “The Blend.” Steve has interviewed a variety of talented people including actor Adrian Zmed, 80/90's rocker Corey Hart, Limahl (of Kagagoogoo), Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees, American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze, 80s Icon Bananarama, 90s Folk/Rock Group The Indigo Girls, Debbie Gibson, Martika, TV personality and Sugar Ray's lead singer Mark McGrath, actor/model, John Antorino, Baywatch fame David Chokachi, Actor/Director Antonio Sabato Jr, Illusionist Mike Super, and comedians Louie Anderson and Patti Vasquez. I just had to reply...are you kidding me? What a guest list that is!

Recently one of his guests Patti Vasquez (who has a new series called “My Life Is A Joke”) mentioned, “I love being a guest on Steve's show. He's one of the most generous Radio hosts out there. He never steps on my jokes, always laughs at my stories and even compliments my material with his own funny take”. Mike Super, winner of NBC’s hit TV series “Phenomenon” magician and illusionist had said this about Steve. “Met Steve through my PR stuff promoting my arts show. In the interview he was hilarious and was just great! Stayed in touch and met him at the show in person... He looked nothing like I expected... I pictured him as a heavy set, long-haired  bearded man.... lol. Was surprised he looked so normal! Steve and I stayed in touch, and he is certifiably crazy! . Truly consider him a friend”.

With all of these interviews, Steve just seems to have a sense of ease with them. Its like no other host or show I've listened to. You'd swear you were ease dropping on a conversation at a coffee shop. Just two people having a very funny and entertaining conversation. He makes Corey Hart, When In Rome's Clive Farrington, Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell, among others, feel at home and gets them to open up to talk about everything. 

As a fan himself, Steve asks the right questions. The questions that allow his guests to open themselves to their fans. The fans get an honest glimpse into who they really are. I am not suggesting he is Oprah, but I know I felt like I got a chance to know something special about him. On top of that, each interview averages around 30 minutes. No 6 minute call in and your gone show. 

My highlight came when he interviewed 80’s pop singer, Corey Hart. Not only did Steve interview him, he also shared the story and significance behind the song “Never Surrender”. Corey was so humble about the inspiration that he had on Steve at a very difficult time in his life.

I found myself hanging on to every word. I felt pure joy listening to Corey and Steve talk. While re-listening to Steve's interview with Corey hart, I had realized that I still had a 45-record of Corey's song “It Ain't Enough”. If you know what a 45 is, you can appreciate it. If not, Google it.

That recollection compelled me to go in my garage where I still kept a collection in my old pink record holder. I decided to go through all the records and as I was almost done with the stack, there it was! 1983 EMI with the B-side of Araby (She’s just a girl). What a flood of great memories that came rushing back to me. I wouldn't have even thought of it if not for listening to Steve Benz and Corey Hart that day. I discovered that soon after, Steve was welcomed with open arms by Corey and his fans that are called The Caravaners. They are a group of the  nicest, most wonderful fans. Steve  has the knack of pleasing to their heart’s content in playing 2,3, even 4 songs back to back from their favorite artist. Cindy Griff who is a Caravaner, had this to say about Steve. “I loved Steve's Corey Hart radio interview, it was like you were listening to two old school buddies chatting after not seeing one another for a few years”. ”I like that Steve was sincerely interested in what Corey had to say, and you could tell Steve had respect for Corey's answers about his devotion to his family coming first right now. I also thought it cool when Corey would ask Steve questions back. And now Steve has gotten some of Corey Hart's fans as his own. We love what Steve plays on his show and he is very good at those interviews! As well as having a great sense of humor”.

Steve continues to also discover new talent. One of those is a Canadian artist called 1Love also known as Paul Todd, who worked with Corey Hart remixing his 1988 song, Truth Will Set You Free. “Steve is an awesome person. He has been in the biz for a very longtime. His show is great because he plays what the people want no matter what format. He has awesome interviews from time to time and has been one of the only stations still playing my song Truth Will Set U Free” – Paul Todd/1Love. It has gained much popularity thanks to Steve Benz who has played it numerous of times. Other stations won’t even touch it. Instead all you hear is the same songs being replayed and replayed until you get sick of it.

Bottom line is, Steve has a station he created where he could play the best music of the 80’s, 90’s with a hint of today and yesteryear along with giving opportunity to new unknown music. Most importantly, he listens to what his listeners want to hear. With his talent of interviewing great actors/musicians/comedians of our time, Steve has so much to offer the listening audience. With his charismatic charm, wittiness, and sometimes even sarcasm. We will be looking forward to many new projects from him in the new and coming years. As of the 1st of January, his show went worldwide! If you have not heard or seen him or his show yet, please do so. He will be the tall guy in the corner drinking Kona coffee.

www.wsdichicago.com
twitter: steve_benz
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/steve.benz.545?fref=ts

Written by Diana Woloszyk   

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Written by Diana Woloszyk  

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