Haydn Sherley

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Haydn Sherley (29 March 1924 - 14 June 2007) was a well known New Zealand radio personality. Affectionately known as 'the grandfather of radio' Sherley was a household name for decades in New Zealand, due to his work on national and commercial radio, in a career that spanned over fifty years.[1]

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[edit] Career

Sherley came into radio almost by chance. “Radio was ‘glamourous’ and seemed an interesting place to go, and before I knew it I was hooked”. His career began as an announcer on Wellington’s 2ZB in 1953. Due to the lack of formal training at the time he entered the industry, it was ironic that he should go on to become a trainer of announcers. After moving through the ranks of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, in such roles as Chief Announcer at 1XH in Hamilton, he became a key figure at the NZBC Announcer Training School and served there from 1966 to 1975. During this time Sherley tutored such announcers as Paul Holmes, Kevin Black, Dougal Stevenson, Wayne Mowat and Sharon Crosbie. [2]

The NZBC was dissolved in 1975 with Radio New Zealand becoming responsible for radio broadcasting in New Zealand. It was at this time Sherley was seconded to National Radio (now Radio New Zealand National) and became a senior executive producer in charge of announcing staff on both National Radio and the Concert Programme.

It was 1975 that saw the start of Sherley’s long-running radio programme, In a Mellow Tone. Originally called Gentle on your Mind, and later Music to Midnight, the format of In a Mellow Tone continued for over thirty years. An avid supporter of jazz, his programme was a showcase of jazz from both New Zealand and around the world. The show coined its name from Duke Ellington’s tune of the same name, with the original theme being performed by the Buddy Bregman Orchestra. Later Manhattan Transfer’s version of the song became the theme for the programme. [2]

Sherley actually retired in 1989, but for only six months. After this temporary retirement, he returned to National Radio to continue with a number of projects, including such shows as Take Five and to narrate the series, Last of the World Wars.

The final In a Mellow Tone went to air on Radio New Zealand National on March 21, 2007, followed by a tribute show hosted by Wayne Mowat on March 23, 2007. During July and August 2007, Radio New Zealand National replayed a selection of In a Mellow Tone programmes from 2004 to 2006 as a tribute to Sherley.


[edit] Awards

In the early 1990s, Sherley received the Queen’s Service Medal for his services to broadcasting, and was presented with the outstanding contribution award at the Mobil Radio Awards in 1993. [3]


[edit] Commercial Radio

Sherley was also well known for his comments of commercial radio. "I am not impressed with the quality of commercial radio today -- it is talkback, newstalk or pop music interspersed with hard- sell commercials. It is just as well National Radio is there, otherwise it would all be dollar-driven. I think radio, because it is a world of sound, has a responsibility to present the best quality it can, both in its programme output and the way it's presented."


[edit] Retirement

Sherley retired for the final time in March 2007 following his last In a Mellow Tone programme, thus ending a career spanning over fifty years. He died on 14 June, 2007. [4] The then Minister for Broadcasting, Steve Maharey expressed his sorrow at the passing of Sherley, an indication of his extensive involvement and contribution to broadcasting in New Zealand. [5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sherley's Mellow Tones Fade Out After 50-Plus Years on the Air. www.redorbit.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  2. ^ a b Haydn Sherley Tribute Show, Radio New Zealand National - 23 March, 2007.
  3. ^ Dominion Post articles
  4. ^ New Zealand Obituaries
  5. ^ beehive.govt.nz Press Releases