Pete Bennett Launches National Music Program for TV

WANTED: Co-Hosts! A unique opportunity for two women to break into the entertainment industry with rockin' style!

(SALEM, Ore.) - “Models, actors and musicians are my life,” said Peter Bennett, who has spent the last four decades promoting and working with superstars from around the world. Now he’s looking at what Portland, Oregon and the region has to offer his upcoming national music show.

Producers have traveled around the country gathering material for the landmark TV series, The Pete Bennett Show, now finishing post production of the pilot. “The royalty of rock is what this is all about,” said Pete Bennett.

Years of preparation have culminated in a program that is more than a documentary, more than a whimsical commentary of the past; in fact it is an example of the long lasting life force that music and performing arts extol.

“The Pete Bennett Show” will feature lengthy interviews, concerts and on-stage media events bringing top artists, images and intriguing “behind the scenes” stories together.

The pilot will showcase Denny Laine (The Moody Blues & Paul McCartney’s Wings), Mary Wilson (Original member of The Supremes), Al Jardine (The Beachboys), Tommy James (Tommy James and the Shondells), Spencer Davis (Spencer Davis Group), Terry Sylvester (The Hollies) and the World’s #1 Promotion Man, the one and only Pete Bennett. But, before the program is ready for broadcast, there is one final finishing touch: Co-Hosts.

Producers are currently searching for two female co-hosts for the show, and they encourage all interested applicants to get their resumes in immediately.

After the search is narrowed down, Pete Bennett will give final approval of the two that have that special “something”. And Pete Bennett ought to know. Pete has promoted many famous models and actors including Brooke Shields, Cheryl Ladd, and Claudia Schiffer. He is responsible for establishing Beverly Johnson as the first black model to be on the cover of Glamour and Vogue Magazines. He discovered Kathy Ireland working in a pizza parlor; he connected her with people in New York and the next thing you know, she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Pete discovered other “greats” as well, including Steven Tyler of Aerosmith- whose humble beginning was as a carry-out boy for Pete’s local grocery store in Brooklyn, hoping for his own big break. After one personal performance, Pete arranged for young Tyler's band to play in a club setting and they were immediately signed by one of the biggest agents in the business, as Aerosmith. The entire world knows where that has led.

The two female co-hosts for “The Pete Bennett Show” pilot will be selected within the next two weeks. Pete Bennett will be in Portland later this month for the final shooting of the pilot episode, and he is looking forward to seeing those chosen in action, on the set.

"Making unknowns into stars and stars into superstars is my business. I've been doing it all my life. The promotion man connects you to the media, to get you the exposure you need to become a star." - Pete Bennett

Pete Bennett has helped skyrocket careers of superstars for decades as the personal Promotion Manager for the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Beatles, first as a group and then John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr individually, and he continues to bring new talent to the forefront.

He signed Michael Jackson to CBS Records in 1976. Pete also worked with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Steven Tyler, Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, the Jacksons, Frank Sinatra, the Supremes, George Burns, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many more that he has directly supported and in many cases promoted to stardom, or to super-stardom.

In a recent interview, Pete Bennett told me the notorious story of an event in 1971 where he saved Eric Clapton’s life.

The afternoon of the Concert for Bangladesh, Clapton was nowhere to be found so Pete and Bob Dylan knocked on his hotel door to no avail. No answer. Pete insisted that the hotel manager open the door, and they found Clapton inside, unconscious, and most certainly “dead” from Heroin overdose.

There was a doctor who owed Pete a favor, so he arrived in minutes and gave Clapton a life-saving shot. Pete recalled the details, “The doctor said, ‘Get an apple and an orange right away.’ I called room service and got the fruit, and when Clapton came to, he started sucking on the orange. That helped revive him.”

Within a few short hours, a rather hungover Clapton was playing on the stage at Madison Square Garden quite successfully, though if you know the back story it does appear that he is, as Pete says, “on Cloud 9”.

“Saving Clapton” is but one of countless first-hand experiences, priceless historical anecdotes, that Pete Bennett generously shares through this pivotal new program that will surprise and enthrall viewers of all ages, but especially those that appreciate the good, bad and the ugly honest history of rock and roll.

This could be YOUR "Big Break"!

Pete explained that the co-hosts of the show will hold a very important position.

“They will introduce the show, and lead in to the segments and interviews. They could be models, former actresses, journalists, or just out of college looking for an interesting job. There are a lot of beautiful girls in Portland, I don’t know if they can talk, but there’s a lot of talent around,” Pete said. “I think we’ll get a lot of response, I hope so.”

"I never know where I'll find the next star. They could be waiting tables, driving a limo, or be just another starving artist."
- Pete Bennett

“It would be good to have background in music history, know the groups, enjoy going to concerts, and have some interest in journalism or television. Show us your best qualities, be yourself,” Pete advised.

“The show could go far, this is not a regional show, it is national, it just happens to be being produced here in Oregon. Once the pilot is launched we’ll know where it leads. We’re looking at VH1 or HBO, but there’s no deal yet.”

The winning co-hosts could get a contract for the show’s entire series if it gets “picked up” by a national network, which would lead to all kinds of opportunities.

“The models chosen for the job will get paid for the taping of the program pilot,” Pete said, which is fairly uncommon for a possible unknown. “Getting paid is great incentive. I hope plenty of qualified women will send in their resumes and photos.”

“Plus,” he added, “they will come in contact with stars, and maybe even some scripts, so it will really be a worthwhile experience.”

APPLY TO BE A CO-HOST: If you are interested, send in your audition package NOW. Send your PHOTO plus an AUDIO RECORDING or SHORT VIDEO CLIP (YouTube is fine) of yourself to: job-c5xuj-2633966626@craigslist.org.
For more info, see the Craigslist posting.

Bonnie King has been with Salem-News.com since August '04, when she became Publisher. Bonnie has served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas", posts as TV Promotion Director for KYMA (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), Radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER). Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers. View articles written by Bonnie King