When life needs a “reality check”, SiriusXM host David Webb has forged his own path by committing to the responsibility of presenting the facts.
“You actually have a responsibility. To not just yourself, not just your boss, not just your company, but your real responsibilities to the people that listen to you.” It’s hard to sum up 37 years in the making, which spans the likes of music radio, politics, and talk radio. However, the soon-to-be author sat down with Barrett News Media over a Zoom saying he’s not done yet.
Born in Jamaica (the country, not Jamaica, Queens) Webb was raised in New Jersey and planned on going into the military after college. “I was on my way to being a marine. I went to the Naval Academy Prep — the academy system — and transferred to Holy Cross. I was in ROTC as a marine option and got into radio by accident. That’s the short version of it.”
From Boston to New York, Houston, and Dallas, (in that order) Webb has stayed in the top 10 market his whole career before becoming syndicated and hitting the satellite airwaves.
Over the years, he’s seen the industry change from cutting tape and wax pencils to being digitalized. With his experience in both music and talk radio he believes the two have diverged on a few key issues. Music becoming a little too homogenized and talk evolving more creatively. “ When [music] became really homogenized [there was a lot of voice tracking] and I refused, I absolutely refused to voice track anything. I felt like it was lying to my listeners that I’m pretending to be on air live when I’m not.”
Webb — who hosts on SiriusXM Patriot from 9 AM-Noon ET and also works as a Fox News contributor — believes talk radio has benefited from the technology change. “Talk radio evolved for the better because it got more competitive, even though a lot the groups owned a lot of the stations, talk radio competed.”
The radio veteran likes the added competition, “because of those of us in it, not just myself, but all the people that were competing with ideas, competing just because of who we are. We have our different angles on an issue.”
Competition is something Webb welcomes both on and off the mic. “I don’t fear it, I want it. I want people to hear the perspectives so that they can decide for themselves. I don’t need to convince you. I need to present the facts. Present the argument. You need to decide [for yourself] the same way I’ve decided who I am over the years.”
Webb spoke about how there are missing voices in talk radio like, “a little more of the libertarian, a little more of the center-left, center right.” However, there are still issues David Webb feels aren’t being tackled in the modern media landscape.
These are the same key issues he talks about and advocates for on his show. “The economy, that’s a key one. It’s the foundation of any nation. If your economy is good, you can afford everything else. So the type of policies that keep your economy flowing and the elements of that that are necessary. You’ve got to have that.”
A second issue David Webb feels doesn’t get enough attention in the media? Foreign policy. “I built foreign policy out as a platform here at SiriusXM with ‘National Security Tuesdays’ because people need to pay attention. We’re in a global community in many ways. So in economics, foreign policy needs more attention.”
On his show currently, Webb is doing a series on the DIME — Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic — strategy. “One of the reasons I don’t fear competition is I believe people should also be given the adult conversation, whether it’s the callers or the experts or the hosts.”
David Webb believes it’s possible these two topics don’t get a lot of attention because, “it was seen as this thing that only experts did. And you didn’t need to know.”
While these topics typically come in a cycle, Webb notes both economics and foreign policy never really go away. “It just keeps evolving in different ways around the world. We have our friends, our enemies, our frenemies, our competitors, It has to be part of it.
“Also, as part of our economic foundation, it’s part of our military and our projection of force, especially with the Navy. The Navy’s in the Constitution to protect commerce on the high seas, but also to be part of foreign policy, engagement, conflict, or deconfliction. And this comes right back home to us. It’s to put it in the terms that people are used to. It’s our sons and daughters that go out and deal with conflict. So foreign policy’s important that they’re either in the right conflict or not in conflict.”
David Webb believes one of the best parts of radio is meeting with his listeners. “Whether you’re broadcasting the next Rockets playoff game from the largest sports bar in Texas, having a good time doing a bar remote, or going to CPAC, you’re connecting with people. I love being out there and meeting people.”
You don’t have to agree with him either, connection with people is what its all about.
“If you hate me, call me. If you’re not sure about me, call me. And if you love me, call me. Who doesn’t love that?”
For those looking to take the mic and follow in Webb’s footsteps, he says don’t. “Make your own footsteps, make your own path. Decide who you’re going to be. Work at it. Build your format, substantiate, learn, and keep growing. I’m still doing that today. I learned something new on the air today. I actually had a great conversation with a listener over something wonky and we got into it. So whatever it is you do, do that.”
David Webb added that some advice he has is something taught to him by his parents. “Can you look in the mirror and say, ‘I’m happy with the guy I’m looking at? Did you do the best you could?’
“In other words, live up to the integrity you put on yourself, right? None of us are perfect. And by the way, if you make a mistake, admit it. Own it and issue the correction. That’s really how you build your own path.”
Krystina Alarcon Carroll is a news media columnist and features writer for Barrett Media. She has experience in almost every facet of the industry including: digital and print news; live, streamed, and syndicated TV; documentary and film productions. Her prior employers have included NY1 and Fox News Digital and the Law & Crime Network. You can find Krystina on X (formerly twitter) @KrystinaAlaCarr.
