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 radio
Exaggerating his credentials to get his first radio job at Y107
How his mentors taught and supported him throughout his career
Moving to Tampa and helping to build the Power Pig brand
Transitioning to PD in Louisville, Cincinnati, and San Diego
Navigating Jacor’s sale to Clear Channel and joining Emmis
Why leading with creativity makes for great radio
Reevaluating his career and transitioning to nonprofit radio in Dallas
How he became President of Hope Media Group
How 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 Vuolo
Gary Burbank
Mark Chase
Tom Steele
Jason Pullman
Scott Shannon
Coyote McLeod
Rhett Walker
Bo Wood
Randy Michaels
Jack Evans
Gary Edens
John Anthony
BJ Harris
Jeff Kapugi
Dave Mann
Jeff Lawrence
Don Carpenter
Jack Harris
Mike Albl
Tom Owens
Brad Hardin
Carolyn Gilbert
Vin Scully
Jeff and Jer
Greg Summs
Tracy Johnson
Jagger and Christie
Booby Lawrence
Rick Dees
Jean Romano
Bill Pugh
Jeff Smulyan
Rick Cummings
Pat McDonald
Mike Stern
Jimmy Steel
Jonathan Brandmeier
Sam Zell
Sean Compton
Mike O'Connor
Frank Reed
Joe Paulo

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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