Friends, colleagues remember Southern Oregon community radio personality and mentor

SOUTHERN OREGON, Ore. — Friends and colleagues are remembering a community radio pioneer for his impact on Southern Oregon, as well as his passion for helping others find their voice, in life and on-air.

Carson Bench, the 55-year-old music director at KSKQ Community Radio died suddenly in his sleep on Thursday after 13 years of broadcasting in Ashland on 89.5 FM and Medford 94.1 FM.

“He was such an incredible person to everyone in his life, if you went to his house, he would let you pick what you wanted from his garden, he literally would give you the shirt off of his back,” Holly Adams, Bench’s friend, and KSKQ colleague said. “His presence will be surely missed.”

The day after news of his passing, Bench’s friends, musicians, and past and current colleagues posted on Facebook about his impact on their lives and careers.

Adams’ explained Bench was in good health and had several camping trips planned for the summer. She said his loss was so unexpected that it is still hard to believe he is gone and the whole KSKQ community is still in shock.

“He is what people are calling a super local,” Adams said. “He believed in community, he believed in fun, smiles, letting go, I would call him if I needed anything and he was such a dear friend in that way.”

Bench not only was the former program director who ensured the music and content kept playing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but Adams explained, that Bench literally helped build the radio tower.

“He helped dig granite, solid granite to make the station possible, like scores of granite rock out of the Earth to make the station happen,” Adams said. “He was an incredible source of inspiration for all of us, knowing that is what it took to make it happen.”

Adams said KSKQ was granted a non-commercial educational community FM radio station license by the Federal Communications Commission, and Bench ensured those in the community knew about the nonprofit resource available to them.

“He literally moved heaven and earth to make it happen,” she said.

Longtime friend and Ashland-based vocalist Derek Moody explained Bench worked with his wife, Tracy McCloud on the ‘Latitude 42’ radio show and was a good friend to both.

“I keep hearing the same story over and over again, ‘(people say Bench) this guy supported me and was like a true mentor’ and I am like wow, I am not alone, he really influenced and touched the heart of so many.”

Moody said Bench was one of the first people he met at the radio station and helped him learn the ins and outs of the industry.

“He was really quite frankly the heart and soul of KSKQ,” Moody said.

Bench leaves behind two sons.

“I think Carson would want everyone to know the magic of community radio, still believe in the power of radio, support community radio and know the power of your own voice,” Adams said.