Sheldon Sharpless

[Stranger]

In the world of radio mistakes, the separation of Sheldon Sharpless from WPHB ranks right up there with the worst of them.

The CDT didn't have much on it today, but here's the link:

http://www.centredaily.com/2010/06/10/2028730/wphb-personality-leaves-quietly.html

They don't make 'em like Sheldon any more.

 

[edarmsttrong]

Another 'brilliant' move by Magnum. Good luck replacing the advertisers, you'll lose as a result.

 

[Stranger]

Magnum did not fire Sheldon. WPHB is operated by others under a lease agreement. I don't know the specifics, but generally in an LMA, the owners cannot intervene in personnel matters or much of anything else.

 

[jackandcoke]

Sheldon is really quite a story--50 years on-air at the same station. And a very nice, bright guy, despite the hokey, homespun small-town 1960-style morning show act.

Don't know anything about the inside workings of this situation, but it sure appears to be a "Joe Paterno" parallel: a local icon who just refuses to retire--and until the icon decides on his own to hang it up, the employer risks looking like an A-hole if he pushes the issue.

So if you're the boss and think the station needs to enter the current century--or at least the 1970's--what do you do?

Think Tim Curley and Graham Spanier can relate?

 

[jimmiejames]

jack has it right - sheldon refused to bend at all, to play music that was heard
during the rest of the broadcast day...and began to challenge the current operator.
i think he thought he was bulletproof, and no one is...

 

[edarmsttrong]

Another 'brilliant' move by Magnum. Good luck replacing the advertisers, you'll lose as a result.

Magnum did not fire Sheldon. WPHB is operated by others under a lease agreement. I don't know the specifics, but generally in an LMA, the owners cannot intervene in personnel matters or much of anything else.

I guess I should revise my statement.

Another 'brilliant' move by a wanna-be 'Radio Management' outfit. Good luck replacing the advertisers you'll lose as a result.

jack has it right - sheldon refused to bend at all, to play music that was heard
during the rest of the broadcast day...and began to challenge the current operator.
i think he thought he was bulletproof, and no one is...

Do you remember a guy named Howard Stern? He used to be on Radio...now he makes an est. $100 million a year these days. He had a similar work ethic.

Hope they can find some other person to get up at the crack of dawn, to entertain and inform the community for another 50 years. It seems rather unlikely to me.

 

[jimmiejames]

i'm sure they will - and maybe that individual will understand that what the
boss says goes....took me 25 years...

 

[jimmiejames]

and one other thought - those who post on this board are constantly complaining
about state college area radio - it's all the same, it's all corporate, blah, blah, blah.
now here's an operator trying to do something different, with music that isn't
exposed anywhere else, and he has an air person who won't get with the program.
he's investing his own cash - why wouldn't he want to assure that all of his airstaff
was on the same page?

open your ears, ed.

 

[hunterrb]

Sheldon Sharpless is truly a legend in the Moshannon Valley. Anyone on the air at the same station for over 50 years deserves the respect he has earned over the years.

I take the responsibility for fact Sheldon is no longer on the air. It was not an easy decision. I consulted numerous people and lost sleep in the process. I will in all likelihood suffer a revenue drop, hopefully in the short term. I admit to having limited experience in this wonderful business and I defer to all of you on radio issues. However I do have business experience of over 30 years, most recently as a CFO.

As most of you are aware personnel issues may not be discussed publicly. I can say this: no matter what business you have been in, Mr. Sharpless's actions would have had the same result. The only reason I agonized over it, was Sheldon's longevity and popularity.

I have suffered hate mail, death threats, attempts to destroy the business, and now a movement organized by his family to bring him back. This has been a rather difficult situation. At the end of the day there are certain moral principals in business and in life and crossing them has consequences. I stand by my decision, based on the factual information I have.

Bob Benckert

 

[Stranger]

While most of us disagree with your decision and I disagree with some of the statements you made in your post, I have to salute you as being a stand up guy and replying as you did. Thank you. Others might slink away in the night until this all blows over, which, eventually, it will.

Sheldon is a good broadcaster, an influential man in the community and by all accounts a decent guy. And managers new to the business will find that handling air people is like herding cats. Your previous business experience may be helpful on the financial side, but in no way prepares you for the culture shock of dealing with show-biz performers. While Philipsburg is neither Broadway nor Hollywood, you're still in show business.

I can understand if not condone hate mail. But death threats are unacceptable and attempts to destroy the business are just stupid.

Again, I salute you for coming out with a fairly detailed statement of your position.

 

[edarmsttrong]

I have to second Stranger on this.

Radio, no matter how you slice it, is show-biz. If someone has a formula for a show,
that has lasted for such a long time, it's tough to change the old habits. I'm not saying that
management should accept outright insubordination, disrespect, or a matter involving the authorities,
but they should accomodate the formula for a successful show.

Obviously, you don't deserve any physical harm done to you. But, be prepared to take a hit financially.
That's how this business is. Radio audiences are fiercely loyal, and are not fond of change. Advertisers usually
have an idea of who listen to what, and buy accordingly.

Good luck, Mr. Benckert.

 

[edarmsttrong]

open your ears, ed.

I do, and I am rarely impressed.

I was born and raised, and cut my teeth in this businsess within an earshot of market 1 and market 7. I never worked at a radio station in a market below 63. I guess I just have a different expectation of what radio should be. Sorry for keepin' it real.

 

[fryman]

Sheldon was and is a good man. Perhaps he should had played dumb and told management, "oooopppps, I hit the wrong switch." Plus perhaps find out when these guys were listening and play "their music" during those times and revert back to your own good stuff once they were: (1) out of earshot and/or (2) out of signal range. Perhaps other excuses too like, "I had a long distance request for that dusty disc" or "an old sick lady called in from intensive care and wanted to hear some old fashioned classic country" and if nothing else, simply deny that you deviated from format and accuse them of "being confused".

 

[hunterrb]

Anyone listening to WPHB knows Mr Sharpless did not have a limit on what music to play and never had to "play dumb". The main issues never had anything to do with music selection. WPHB is one the last stations around letting on-air folks choose from discs; tapes, and vinyl and just about any artist he/she chooses.

 

[jimmiejames]

and, honestly, that kind of freedom should not be abused.

this is sad for everyone concerned...

 

[Sheldons_niece]

To Jimmiejames!! You have NO IDEA what you're even talking about!! There was no plan to change they format nor was Uncle Sheldon EVER asked to change what he played!! As a matter of fact, the former Station Manager had to add an additional hour to his show to make room for all the advertisers and listeners who still wanted more Sheldon! The fact is I have spoken several times to the General Manager of WPHB and he is just plain and simple "out of his league" here. We're a small town and we love Sheldon and his radio show! Bob (the GM) was looking for ways to cut costs ( which Uncle Sheldon helped him with by taking a pay cut to help him out) He is planning on taking the station completely automated... which in this small town means going out of business! AYou can tell y what you write that you've NEVER heard Sheldon's broadcast... you're just another person giving an opinion on something you know NOTHING about! I have known Sheldon Sharpless ALL my life and have been fortuned enough to have been able to hear his many stories, announcements, jokes and music over my lifetime and I feel blessed! Sorry that ppl like you try to get involved in matters that you know nothing about. If you'd like to see how much our community loves and wants Sheldon back. Log onto our Facebook page. Petiton to put Sheldon Sharpless back on the air at WPHB Radio.... and see how far you're half baked comments get you!! HAve a wonderful day in PA!

 

[Sheldons_niece]

DON'T believe one word out of BOB BENCKERT mouth!! He is a LIAR! I have had emails from him with so many excuses and lies for why he FIRED Sheldon and none of them are true! First he said Sheldon retired UNTRUE.... he told Sheldon his last day was June 11th and that he was retiring, Sheldon said "no I don't want to retire". And he said well your done on June 11th. But when news got out via Facebook, Bob thru a fit on my 73 year old Uncle, screaming in his face and telling him th at he started this stuff on the internet. NOT TURE... it was me that first told ppl on Faceboook on WPHB Country Roots (which Bob has since disable bc he can't handle hearing the truth) So he demanded that Uncle Sheldon give him his key that day (Monday June 7th) to which Uncle Sheldon replied "not till I get my belongings out" So the next day June 8th... Uncle Sheldon returned to the station to retrieve his stuff when Bob came out of his office again screaming in Uncle Sheldon's face.... and yelling "is that yours?" to everything Sheldon was packing. Luckily Sheldon was smart enough to bring along a witness to what he was taking. As for the "break in" at the station..... well let's think about that.... Uncle Sheldon removed HIS Vinyl albums and Cd's that belonged to him .... exactly the amoutn BOb is claiming to have stolen and the broken headset, that was his new DJ.... Uncle Sheldon saw him break it and told Bob that it was broken.... Conclusion... Bob is going to try and fraud his insurance co!!! Doesn't take a genious to figure that one out!! lol Sheldon Shapless is VERY WELL KNOWN in this area and would never condone or take part in anything involving a crime! He is and always will be an upstanding good man,....unlike Bob who is a coawrd and a proven LIAR!

 

[fryman]

I would like to do an interview with Sheldon but I don't do facebook and I note that his phone number is unlisted. Does anyone know how I can reach Sheldon either via (1) phone or (2) e-mail without going through facebook. Thanks!

 

[hunterrb]

Sheldon's niece has never once spoken to me. There has been no change in the format. There has been no reduction of payroll or staff. As for Sheldon retiring - simply tried to give a man who has earned it, a dignified exit.

I have contacted legal counsel on what I can and can't say about Mr. Sharpless's employment and said on this board all I can say.

There was a burglary at the station. A police report was filed, with my request for no investigation and no prosecution. It was done to go on record with the police that incidents were taking place and they may escalate. No one has been accused or named in the incident. No insurance claim has been filed or is planned to be filed.

Any other emotional incident reports mentioned in her post were all witnessed by multiple staff members with different recollections.

The group that is trying to get Sheldon back on the air, has been invited to the station to discuss any issues face to face. Not one person has stepped forward and come to the station.

 

[Sheldons_niece]

Bob!! My name is ELVA SHOEMAKER and I have about 3 or 4 emails from you.....full of LIES! I know of several ppl who called and asked to meet with you to discuss Sheldon and you said "I can't talk about it" and even when Jason Vaus pulled his ads you said " I don't care!" You want ppl to feel sorry for you but NO ONE does! you can't talk intelligently or calmly to someone who has to SCREAm int he face of a valued member of our community, a 73 year old man! I'll drive up there now but I'll bet ten to one you won't meet with me! You told my friend Julie.... "there's NOTHING to discuss". So as for anyone not meeting with you thats another one of your BOLD FACED LIES! No one is going to take your side over Sheldon Sharpless.... you're nothing int his town.... can't wait till you can't make that first lease payment caue I'm going to be saying TOLD YOU SO!!!