A Heartfelt Thank You
Today is National Radio Day, and I could share so many pictures and memories of cool things that I’ve gotten to experience because of this amazing job.
But the truth is, any success I’ve enjoyed in this business has only been a product of the people who encouraged, supported and believed in me along the way. If not for them, I wouldn’t have any of those pictures or memories of cool things that I’ve gotten to experience because of this amazing job. So for me, today is not about me at all; it’s all about them…
This is John Casson. John was the Director of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in 2010. The school accepted twenty students per semester, and for some reason, John decided that I deserved one of those seats that year. I still don’t understand why, really; I certainly had always wanted to work in radio, but I had no technical background or knowledge of anything related to the industry. Literally, the only thing I had was an unquenchable interest and eagerness to learn anything & everything. Thank God that was enough for John Casson, and thank God that John saw something in me that I didn’t even know was there. I would not be here without John Casson.
This is Sean Donoghue. Sean was the Campus Coordinator of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in 2010, and our go-to person for all things technology-related. The first day of school, I didn’t know how to use a thumb drive, and I felt so stupid and overwhelmed by so much new information. I thought I would never process it all. Sean looked me in the eye and said, “Jenny Perry,” (this was long before I was a Bender) “You can do anything!” He said it with such conviction that I thought, “Whoa, this dude really does believe that I can do anything!” Sean was the first person to ever say that to me in a way that made me believe it myself. He was an encourager to all students; I know he told everyone that they could do anything they put their minds to, so I wasn’t some special exception. But I often wonder if Sean ever understood the powerful impact that those words had on me back then—and still do today. At that time in my life, I NEEDED for someone to believe so strongly that I really was capable of anything. Sean did. Today, I have the mindset that nothing is impossible for me to learn, or too difficult for me to master, and that mindset is thanks to Sean. Anytime I’m faced with a challenge, I literally hear Sean saying, “Jenny Perry Bender, you can do anything!” Thank God for Sean and his spirit of encouragement. I would not be here without Sean Donoghue.
This is Charlie and Debbie Nance. They are radio veterans who were first my mentors, then became my friends, and I now consider family. Long before I went to broadcasting school or worked in radio, I listened to them every afternoon and was a huge fan of their show. The first day of classes at Connecticut School of Broadcasting, I completely fangirled when I found out that Charlie was a teacher at the school and would be my radio instructor. Whoever said to avoid meeting your heroes because they’ll never live up to your expectations, never met the Nances. This blog could go on for pages and pages about how much they mean to me. They took me on as their intern and poured so much wisdom & knowledge into me. They’ve taught me how to be not just a good radio personality, but a good person. They have put their good names on the line to recommend me for job opportunities. They have dropped whatever they were doing to take my call whenever I’ve needed their guidance or advice. They have called to console me over the death of a relative, and celebrate with me over a good ratings period. They have encouraged me at points in my career when I felt like I didn’t belong or have a purpose. If not for Charlie & Debbie Nance, I would’ve never gotten my first real job at a radio station…or my next real job at another radio station…or my dream job here at Kicks 99. If I had never gotten my dream job here at Kicks 99, I never would have moved to Augusta and met my husband or so many dear, lifelong friends. Thank God for placing Charlie & Debbie in my corner. I absolutely would not be here without Charlie & Debbie Nance.
I truly believe that God puts the right people into our lives at the right time to accomplish His will for us. I had a dream for my life, and I know that John, Sean, Charlie & Debbie were all instrumental in God’s plan to make those dreams come true.
To John, Sean, Charlie & Debbie: thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and for always having my back. Because of you, I get to live this life that I dreamed of for so long. I’m forever grateful to each of you.
2010: I took the afternoon off from my job at the doctor’s office where I worked, and went for a tour of the CSB campus in Charlotte. This photo is my very first time in front of a studio microphone, doing my very first on-air read. I applied to the school that night & got the call the next day that I had been accepted. When I let my boss know that I would be going back to school and leaving healthcare to pursue a career in radio, he told me that I was “ruining life.” 😉
2019: Cash, Dub and I, the day that we got our very first ratings results as a team—and the news was terrific. We went to Chili’s and toasted and cried, and toasted some more. All I could think of was that girl in the top photo, who took the afternoon off of work to see if maybe she stood a chance at this radio thing. Oh, if she only knew!
