Chachi Loves Everybody Features Shotgun Tom Kelly and Angela Perelli

13 February 2026

Chachi Loves Everybody Features Shotgun Tom Kelly and Angela Perelli

LOS ANGELES, CA – February 12, 2026 — Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting and jingles, announces the release today of two new episodes of Chachi Loves Everybody, an original podcast produced by Benztown and hosted by Benztown President and audio brand builder Dave “Chachi” Denes. The episodes feature Chachi’s special guests, legendary Southern California broadcaster, Shotgun Tom Kelly, who shares his journey from high school announcer to Emmy-winning icon with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Angela Perelli, one of radio and podcasting’s premier talent and life coaches and programmers, who shares how her unique skillset allows her to carve her own path and develop top talent.

To listen to the new Chachi Loves Everybody podcast episodes, visit: https://bit.ly/ChachiLovesEverybody.

On the first new episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Shotgun Tom Kelly takes Chachi and his listeners behind the scenes of one of Radio’s most successful on-air careers, covering topics including:

Growing up in San Diego and working his first gig as a high schooler
Getting into legal trouble operating a pirate station from his garage
His love of trains, radio towers, and other hobbies
Becoming an Emmy-winning children’s TV host
How he got the name “Shotgun Tom Kelly”
The story of the iconic hat he’s worn for over 55 years, and presenting one to President Reagan
Filling the shoes of Real Don Steele and hosting other oldies shows like “60s Gold” on SiriusXM
Creating “Shotgun Tom’s Jukebox Live From the Corvette Diner”
Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Stevie Wonder’s role in the ceremony
His book, “All I Wanna Do Is Play The Hits”, available now on Amazon
His advice for the next generation
And more!

In the second new episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Angela Perelli shares stories from her 30 highly successful years in radio and her experiences coaching on-air talent with Chachi and his listeners, including:

Growing up in San Francisco and how she got pulled into radio
Transitioning from being an intern, to talent, to APD to PD, and learning which programming approaches worked best
How she built a competitive radio station in LA and helped figure out how to modern AC format
Managing big personalities as a Program Director
Developing Ryan Seacrest and how he used talent and hustle to find success
The challenges she faces in a changing music landscape, and how to navigate stressful times in radio
Moving to Canada and what she learned from Canadian radio
Becoming a consultant and life coach, and launching Angela Perelli Consulting
Her advice for the next generation of broadcasters
And more!

Chachi Loves Everybody takes listeners with Denes – better known as “Chachi” – as he sits down for candid conversations with broadcasting legends, master brand builders, up-and-comers, and media innovators, revealing the true stories behind their successes and their insights into building iconic brands.

About Shotgun Kelly

“Shotgun Tom” Kelly has been entertaining Southern California radio and TV audiences for over 6 decades. He has worked at such renowned radio stations as KGB (in its “Boss Radio” days) and gained national acclaim at the legendary KCBQ. “Shotgun Tom” was honored at B-100 radio (KFMB-FM) with the Billboard magazine Air Personality of the Year Award for Major Markets in the mid-70’s. He also received two Emmy Awards for his performance as host of the McGraw-Hill syndicated TV word game show “Words-a-Poppin’” for children. For twelve years at KUSI-TV he was host of their morning and afternoon children’s programs. In 1997, after a nationwide talent search, “Shotgun Tom” Kelly was chosen by CBS Radio’s K-EARTH 101/Los Angeles to fill the coveted afternoon drive slot after the death of The Real Don Steele. In 2000, “Shotgun Tom” won Radio and Records “Oldies Air Personality of the Year” and competed for that award with radio personalities in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit. “Shotgun Tom” is also heard around the country doing voice work and commercials for many other stations. In 2013, “Shotgun Tom” Kelly received his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and La Brea Ave.

About Angela Perelli

Angela Perelli has over 30 years of experience in major market radio, with the past 16 devoted specifically to the development of personalities and personality brands. She’s worked with: Ryan Seacrest; Kevin & Bean, KROQ/Los Angeles; Marilyn Denis & Jamar, CHUM 104.5/Toronto;

Dave Ryan Show, KDWB/Minneapolis; Miguel & Holly, Hot 105.3/Tampa; Carson Daly, Jamie White, Mercedes in the Morning, That Guy Kramer, Nat & Drew and Jonny, Holly & Nira in Vancouver and many more.

Seeing a gap between the feedback needs of talent and the time and bandwidth of managers, she used her unique skillset-combination of major market radio and life coaching expertise to meet performers where they are and inspire them to reach their full potential.

Prior to launching her own company, she spent over 20 years in programming at groundbreaking female-targeted radio stations, KIOI-FM (K101)/San Francisco and KYSR-FM (Star 98.7)/Los Angeles, winning multiple industry awards.