TOP NEW TALENT FOR 2018: 10 Questions with Ben Stevenson

Radio Today has named Ben Stevenson as a Top New Talent to Watch in 2018 and beyond.

You have to be able to laugh at yourself if you agree to a bet that involves wearing a tuxedo for a whole month in tropical Darwin. Thankfully that’s exactly what Ben can do, as both a comedian and a radio host.

He recently left Hot100 Darwin’s Breakfast show after three years, and in that time the show had a share of 35.2%. It was Ben’s fast humour and dedication to going the extra mile for a stunt (including a completing a bike race on a penny farthing and skydiving for charity) that made for easy and enjoyable listening, and helped the show claim #1 Breakfast in the survey.

Currently pursuing his next step in radio, Ben’s comedy has long been recognised too – even leading him to be named a finalist in the RAW Comedy NT Final this year.

Below, Ben answers Ten Questions from Radio Today.

• Who/what inspired you to choose a career in radio?

If anyone should be blamed, it’d have to be Tony Martin and his show Get This. I was working in a truck factory and used to listen to them every afternoon, it sounded like so much more fun than what I was doing, so I thought I’d have a go.

• Most memorable on-air moment so far?

Probably the time a guy high on drugs broke into the station with a litter of puppies because he wanted me to have one. It’d become a running theme on the show that I wanted to get a dog and so this guy kicked the back door in and tried to offer me one of his. Listener engagement I believe it’s called.

• What was the most awkward moment you had in your early years of radio?

Literally every minute I spent in the Nova building in Melbourne. I was a casual panel op/fill-in announcer just after finishing radio school and it was so daunting because everyone was at the top of their game and I’d only just learnt which end of the microphone I was supposed to talk in to.

I tried so hard not to be awkward, but the problem is that always makes it worse.

• What’s one radio skill that you’ve mastered, and what’s one radio skill that you’re currently working on?

I’ve got Harvey Norman live reads down pat. Interviewing is something I will forever be trying to improve though.

• How do you prepare for your shift on-air?

I trawl through news sites, check Facebook to see what people are talking about. My phone is full of notes from anytime something bizarre or funny happens in my life. The best ideas come out of nowhere, so the show is always somewhere in the back of my mind.

• How does the person you are on air differ from the person you are off air?

I don’t mention the time and temperature anywhere near as much off-air.

• What’s the one piece of advice you were given that you can pass along?

Don’t forget to have fun!

• Sum up working in radio in three words.

Word Economy

• What’s your dream radio job?

One where I’ve got a great team of people around me. Some of the best work memories I have are from furniture store OB’s because of the people I got to do them with.

• If you weren’t working in radio, what would you be doing?

Looking for work in radio… speaking of which, know of anything going?