EPISODE SUMMARY: Tim Richards is a programmer with experience at Mix in Boston, Q101 in Chicago, KMLE in Phoenix, and more. Richards shares tales from decades in radio including developing talent such as Mojo in the Morning, Mancow, Johnjay and Rich, and R Dub!, as Tim and Chachi sit down for a chat! 

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Tim Richards about:

1. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs and deciding at an early age to go into radio
2. Making amazing connections at Columbia College and beyond and how he and his friends continued to help each other throughout their careers
3. His early gigs and the slip-up that could have cost him his career
4. How mentors such as Greg Strassel taught him the importance of chemistry and bulding great cultures
5. Getting thrown into the major market of Chicago fairly early in his career and the ups and downs of working in his hometown
6. The 5 questions he asks before hiring talent
7. Helping to promote Mojo in the Morning and Johnjay and Rich into massively popular shows
8. Country radio’s great community and fulfilling a lifelong dream by PDing a country station with KMLE
9. Starting the Smith Richards collective to assemble the best minds in programming and the tragic loss of his friend and partner, Steve Smith

And more!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Tim Richards is a senior level broadcast executive specializing in talent coaching and development, building winning station brands and leading great talent to ratings and revenue success. He’s a “connector” with an innate ability to identify and nurture talent on air and off. He’s worked with some of the biggest personalities in the industry, including, Mojo in the Morning, Mancow, Johnjay & Rich and The Morning Mess, as well as some of the biggest station brands, including Mix in Boston, Q101, Chicago, WKQI, Detroit, KALV, KZZP & KMLE in Phoenix and many more. He’s a strategist with an excellent grasp of PPM ratings methodology and winning tactics. Tim has been driven to succeed throughout his career. He received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, Chicago where he graduated with honors at the age of 20.

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: R Dub!, Johnny Fever and Andy Travis, Bob Pittman, Stephen Gary, Kevin Mathews, Jonathan Brandmeier, Bart Shore, Mickey Milner, Gary Spears, Tom Carballo (Mojo in the Morning), Jim Lawson, Jeff Kapugi, Mark Todd, John Peake, Greg Strassel, Ken Benson, Jhani Kaye, Guy Zapoleon, Leanna Callahan, Fred Rico, Tom Poleman, Steve Schram, Dick Purtan, Nikki Chuminatto, Rick Cummings, Mancow, James VanOsdol, Steve Smith, Elliot Segal, Johnjay and Rich, Debbie Wagner, Mark Medina, Alan Sledge, Susan Karis, Tom Schurr, Jeff England, Ryan Sims

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, 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 provide