Haydn Sherley
Encyclopedia
Haydn Sherley 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.
, 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.
The NZBC was dissolved in 1975 with Radio New Zealand
becoming responsible for radio broadcasting in New Zealand. That year, 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. He also started his long-running radio programme, In a Mellow Tone, in 1975. Originally called Gentle on your Mind, and later Music to Midnight, the format of In a Mellow Tone continued for over thirty years. Sherley was an avid jazz enthusiast, and his programme was a showcase of jazz from both New Zealand and around the world. The show's name came 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.
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 was aired on Radio New Zealand National on 21 March 2007, followed by a tribute show hosted by Wayne Mowat on 23 March. 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.
expressed his sorrow at Sherley's passing, an indication of his extensive involvement and contribution to broadcasting in New Zealand.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
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.
Career
Sherley came into radio almost by chance. "Radio was 'glamorous' and seemed an interesting place to go, and before I knew it I was hooked". He began his radio career as an announcer on Wellington’s 2ZB in 1953. Given the lack of formal training at the time he entered the industry, it was ironic that Sherley should go on to become a trainer of announcers. After moving through the ranks of the National Broadcasting ServiceRadio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand is a New Zealand public service radio broadcaster and Crown entity formed by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It operates news, current affairs and arts network Radio New Zealand National and classical music and jazz network Radio New Zealand Concert with full government funding...
, 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
Paul Holmes (broadcaster)
Paul Holmes CNZM is a radio and television broadcaster in New Zealand. he hosts Q+A on TV ONE, and the Saturday morning radio show on Newstalk ZB, where for 23 years until December 2008 he hosted the weekday breakfast show, the long-standing number one rating breakfast show...
, Kevin Black, Dougal Stevenson, Wayne Mowat and Sharon Crosbie.
The NZBC was dissolved in 1975 with Radio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand is a New Zealand public service radio broadcaster and Crown entity formed by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It operates news, current affairs and arts network Radio New Zealand National and classical music and jazz network Radio New Zealand Concert with full government funding...
becoming responsible for radio broadcasting in New Zealand. That year, 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. He also started his long-running radio programme, In a Mellow Tone, in 1975. Originally called Gentle on your Mind, and later Music to Midnight, the format of In a Mellow Tone continued for over thirty years. Sherley was an avid jazz enthusiast, and his programme was a showcase of jazz from both New Zealand and around the world. The show's name came from Duke Ellington’s
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
tune of the same name, with the original theme being performed by the Buddy Bregman Orchestra
Buddy Bregman
Buddy Bregman is an American musical arranger, record producer and composer.He has worked with many of the greatest musical artists of 20th Century popular music including; Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Matt Monro, and Frank Sinatra.Born in Chicago, he studied...
. Later Manhattan Transfer’s
The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
version of the song became the theme for the programme.
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 was aired on Radio New Zealand National on 21 March 2007, followed by a tribute show hosted by Wayne Mowat on 23 March. 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.
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.Commercial Radio
Sherley was also well-known for his comments concerning 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."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. The then Minister for Broadcasting, Steve MahareySteve Maharey
Steven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party...
expressed his sorrow at Sherley's passing, an indication of his extensive involvement and contribution to broadcasting in New Zealand.