Ep. 65 TJ Taormina

EPISODE SUMMARY: TJ is the host of the TJ Show which is syndicated on over 75 stations nationwide. He shares his journey from high school radio fan to successful radio host and more.

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

1. Becoming obsessed with radio while growing up in New Jersey and working at his first station, WFDU.
2. Getting to intern at Z100 in New York right out of high school and what he learned at the biggest CHR station in the U.S.
3. Getting to produce and co-host with Elvis Duran and how his production experience translated to on-air success.
4. How Elvis saved his job, inspired him, and taught him the value of positive relationships in broadcasting.
5. Making the leap to launch his own show in Boston on AMP and what the transition was like.
6. The impact of COVID and remote broadcasting on his life, career, and the radio industry.
7. Finding strength in faith and humor after being laid off.
8. How he built a great team and created his successful syndicated show.
9. His thoughts on the future of radio.

And More!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: ​​TJ was the kid who walked to school with his headphones plugged into his radio. Having discovered morning talk shows as a 13 year old while growing up in Hillsdale, NJ, he became hooked. In high school, he started working in radio as a volunteer.  He held many positions at his first official radio job including answering phones, producing, and eventually becoming a co-host on Elvis Duran’s nationally syndicated radio show.  TJ began hosting his own morning radio show (The TJ Show) in Boston in early 2013.  TJ is married to his wife, Jess.  They have 3 girls and a Labrador retriever named Luna.

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:

• Howard Stern
• Scott Shannon
• Jim Kerr
• David Brody
• Elvis Duran
• Tom Pullman
• Mark Cuban
• Sharon Dester
• Danielle Monero
• Rick Dees
• Kidd Kraddick
• Bert Weiss
• Elliot
• Tom Joyner
• Roy Laughlin
• Heather Cohen
• Josh Kolodny
• Dan Mason Jr.
• Nate Marino
• Lauren Ray
• Matt Shearer
• Michael Martin
• Steve Salhaney
• Mark Hannon
• Seth Godin
• Lamont and Tonelli
• Charles Steinhauer
• Scotty Meyers
• John Tesh
• Jhani Kaye
• Dick Clark
• Mark and Kim
• Buddy Shula
• JBo Marie
• Kenny O'Boyle
• Heather Connor
• Josh Malone
• Jeff Smulyan
• Rick Cummings

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.

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