Sports Spotlight

BEN & SKIN

Radio Celebrities with Richardson Roots

By Patti Otte

Most folks don’t get to earn a living chatting and laughing with their best friend. But that’s exactly what Ben Rogers and Jeff “Skin” Wade have done every day since 2008 on their wildly popular radio show “Ben & Skin.” Says Ben, “The best part of being a radio personality is that I make a living goofing off with my best friend. Our conversations aren’t entirely different from the ones we had way back in high school — only now we make a living having those same ridiculously immature conversations.

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll have heard of Ben & Skin. They’ve etched their names into the annals of sports talk radio, bringing a dynamic and entertaining flair to the airwaves. Based in Dallas, this dynamic duo has cultivated a devoted fan base with their unique blend of sports analysis, humor and genuine camaraderie.

But what folks may not know is that the radio hosts both grew up in Richardson. I first met Ben working on RLM’s story about Coach Mark Malcolm as both Ben &Skin played on Apollo Junior High School’s championship football team under Coach Malcolm. Ben has so many fond memories of growing up in Richardson. He recalls, “We had the amazing playground with the giant monster at Huffhines Park. We had Huffhines Recreation Center. We had that big, beautiful creek where you could go on any number of adventures. And, of course, I loved Richardson Square Mall, which featured a movie theater, an arcade and the first Chick-fil-A. And who can forget about the greatness of Twin Rivers’ arcade games and batting cages!”

For other locals, Ben’s memory of being a kid at a time when Richardson police officers carried around Dallas Cowboys trading cards and gave them to kids who knew to ask for them will bring back fond memories. And, says Ben, “It created a cool relationship with the po-lice department as the Dallas Cowboys were obviously everything to us.”

One of the key elements of Ben &Skin’s success is their ability to seamlessly blend sports commentary with humor. While many sports talk shows focus solely on the game, Ben & Skin inject a healthy dose of laughter into their broadcasts. Listeners are not only treated to insightful analysis but also toa lively banter that reflects the hosts’ genuine friendship. Ben calls Skin the most talented person he has ever known, stating, “Skin’s incredibly intelligent with a razor sharp wit…but also a beautiful, kind person who cares a great deal about people. On top of how utterly hilarious this man is, he’s the first person I go to for real life advice, or to talk about things that are heavy.”

In addition to their on-air chemistry, Ben & Skin have successfully adapted to the changing media landscape. They’ve embraced digital platforms, connecting with their audience through social media, podcasts and live streaming, multi-platform approach has allowed them to reach a broader audience and stay relevant in an era where traditional radio alone might not suffice.

As if the time they spend working together isn’t enough fun, Ben & Skin are now the proud owners of the brewery Rollertown Beerworks in Celina. It’s so successful that the team (Ben & Skin and their partners) are breaking ground on a new brewery headquarters in Frisco at the end of March.

Despite their success, Ben & Skin remain humble and grateful for the support of their fans, both on the radio and at Rollertown. This down-to-earth attitude has endeared them to listeners and patrons alike, fostering a sense of fun and camaraderie wherever the duo goes. If you haven’t already discovered Ben & Skin, now’s the time. You don’t know what you’re missing!

 

 

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