Independent radio cultivates community

Today's column is dedicated to the memory of
Bill "The Human" Sheridan  
July 24, 1957 - August 19, 2007

Thomas Carlyle said, "The Hero can be Poet, Prophet, King, Priest or what you will, according to the kind of world he finds himself born into." To this illustrious list I would add "DJ" and Charles David Herrold was one of them.

Having been raised by a farmer — whose use of the term "broadcasting" (as in seeds) seemed an ideal way to describe the transmission of audio entertainment to the masses in 1909 — Herrold is credited with being the first person to propagate regular musical broadcasts on the airwaves. For that reason alone, he's a full-fledged hero in my book, as are the visionaries before him — Edison, Tesla, Marconi, etc. — whose inventions allowed Herrold to become an avid Victrola-wielding disc jockey.

Another hero of mine was one of independent radio's most staunch supporters who, in his words, "always felt that the radio provided an intimacy that one simply doesn't get from television" and whose dulcet tones as a delightfully engaging DJ anointed the airwaves for far too short a time: Bill Sheridan, lifelong champion of radio, astute social commentator and a dear friend who recently and very unexpectedly passed away.

Bill personified the philosophy upon which so many independent radio stations seem to be founded. He was sagacious, inquisitive, informative and forward-thinking, with a sharp wit, an understated savvy and a respectful, gentle delivery — not to mention a steadfast love for music that was informed by both a veneration of vintage sounds and a zeal for trailblazing genres.

Bill's passion for soaking up and disseminating pivotal information began at a young age, and radio played a central role. In a letter he wrote just a few months ago, he expounded on his formative years as a radio fan.

"My boyhood home in Hollywood was just a few blocks away from the KHJ broadcast studios on Melrose Avenue. If you had been standing outside the studio on a Wednesday afternoon at about 3:10 p.m. on a school day in 1966 or 1967, you most likely would have seen little Billy Sheridan pull up and hop off his Schwinn stingray bicycle long enough to run in and grab a copy of the Top 30 at the receptionist's counter. Then I would peddle home and spend the afternoon memorizing the list."

Years later Bill became a DJ at a small station on Catalina Island, spinning gems by R&B gods like James Brown, Otis Redding, Van Morrison and Stevie Wonder, with new-wave faves such as Tom Tom Club and The Motels thrown in. I was tickled to hear him say on the air one night, "This one's for our good friend Annie in Vermont, who listens online."

Bill's unwavering commitment to exposing his listeners to high-caliber tunes and informative dispatches that encouraged civic participation was representative of everything I cherish about small, community radio and here in Southern Vermont we're lucky enough to have a handful of top-notch, hands-on stations that similarly enrich our lives both musically and socially, every day.

Brattleboro's WTSA, owned by Bill Corbeil, is one of a very few privately run stations in the state and it offers that same refreshing brand of self-governing, community-minded broadcasting. Corbeil's professional philosophy is grounded in innovation and involvement, with neighborhood pride and experiential roots that go plenty deep.

"I was born and raised in Brattleboro," he said during a recent conversation, "and after high school I interned at WTSA and got the radio bug. Then after college I worked at WIZN for 10 years and when I returned down here, WTSA became available for purchase."

Armed with new programming ideas — including adult contemporary music as well as local and national news, sports and weather — along with a fervent focus on giving back to his hometown, he bought WTSA 96.7 FM and 1450 AM, and began putting his own enthusiastic imprint on the station.

"We have a full-time news team because we really saw a need for community reporting," Corbeil said. "Nine times out of 10, we're breaking stories before the newspapers can, so we have a huge commitment to local news. Not many stations that aren't all news talk have local coverage."

WTSA also provides an unbiased forum wherein elected officials can discuss pertinent political topics. "Bernie Sanders, Leahy, the governor, they all have a direct line to our studios and they use it because they know we're the voice of Windham County."

On the entertainment side, WTSA plays a broad range of rock, from Barenaked Ladies, Keane and No Doubt to Prince, The Police and Smash Mouth, according to the tastes of each particular DJ.

"We choose our own music," asserted Corbeil. "There's no corporation that comes in here and dictates the playlist as you'll find in the Clear Channels or Sagas of the world. It's a dream for me. I've worked for Clear Channel and some of the larger groups and have had the benefit of seeing the pros and cons of both."

While music and local news are core programming for WTSA, Corbeil is just as dedicated to investing in the betterment of his community through various charitable and incentive programs. To that end, WTSA sponsors Project Feed the Thousands as well as a Student of the Month, a Community Person of the Month and a bulletin board that lists events benefiting the community on every front from blood drives and youth programs to computer classes and art walks.

"In independent radio you can be so much more flexible," he attests. "If there's a local charity event, everything is at my discretion and that really benefits the community. There's a real neat local weave of this basket here. We all see each other at Little League games and in the grocery store and we have personal relationships with listeners."

Those connective threads will soon be weaving WTSA with a bit of its own past, as the station is poised to be moving from its current Western Avenue site back to Putney Road where it was originally located. Corbeil is thrilled about the new digs.

"We're building a whole new facility next to the Marina Restaurant," he enthused, "with a beautiful view of the Marina which has become such a hub of activity. Engineers are installing all new technology equipment this week and we're increasing our work space to four studios."

Corbeil said they'll start broadcasting from the new location next month and are planning a grand opening in the spring.

"Our programming will maintain the adult contemporary musical format and we'll also be enhancing news and sports coverage on AM."

Clearly, even amidst the station's expansion, Corbeil is maintaining his original vision for WTSA, including his own multitasking role.

"It's a small market station," he reflected, "so we all wear many hats. I'm a DJ, too."

My old pal Bill would heartily applaud WTSA for continuing to cultivate an independent radio station that plays great music, encourages civic participation and which provides a regular forum for local politicians — particularly Bernie Sanders, who was one of his heroes.

And Bill Sheridan was one of mine.

Note: No Sover next week as I'll be on the left coast for a three-day, R&B-filled memorial celebration of his life.

Online: www.wtsa.net

Annie: annieguyoncommunications.com

Comments

[Dave]

Sad to report that Billy Corbeil passed away this morning.