Last week, Entercom’s 105.3 The Fan in Dallas/Fort Worth made two surprising changes, removing producers Jonathon Shipman and Roy White from the station.
Earlier in the week, Shipman announced on Twitter he was a radio free agent. For six years, the radio personality known to TOLO’s as “Shippy” worked at The Fan as a producer, board-op and on-air contributor.
One of Shippy’s most notable contributions was to the popular Ben and Skin Show. The afternoon hosts and producer Kevin Turner departed The Fan last October, joining Cumulus’ owned 97.1 The Eagle earlier this year. Ben and Skin welcomed Shippy for a segment on The Eagle last week after his tenure at The Fan came to an end.
Shortly after Shippy announced his departure from The Fan, morning show producer and on-air contributor Roy White also took to Twitter, informing TOLO’s he was let go by the station.
“I truly cherish all the times that I had with the good folks working at 105.3 The Fan from the top down. The boss Gavin Spittle, one of the best bosses I’ve ever had and I thank him for everything that he’s done for me,” White said. “Shan, RJ, Troy – three of the best coworkers anybody could ever ask for. Those guys are amazing and I’m so proud to have been a part of what they’ve built in the last couple of years.”
While the exit of both White and Shippy surprised many, Shan and RJ co-host Shan Shariff went on social media Saturday morning, offering candid insight as to why people leave their jobs. During the post, he notes this is “NOT about Roy and Shippy leaving.” The timing from Shan was interesting, but his post seemed to be more about defending station program director Gavin Spittle amid the many recent changes at 105.3 The Fan, rather than criticism of specific former co-workers.
1) Budget cuts
2) Career change
3) Wanting a bigger role
4) Relocation
5) Not doing your jobThese are just some of the reasons people leave their jobs. It’s always convenient to blame our bosses and “big, bad corporate” whenever someone leaves, but remember ALL 5.
You want the truth? I’ve gotten in COUNTLESS arguments with Gavin Spittle over him not getting rid of people FASTER. I’ve always told him his patience is too much Jerry Jones with Jason Garrett. But he can’t/won’t comment because he’s the boss, plus corporate legal BS I can’t stand. But here’s the beauty- After getting a few drinks in me, I don’t care about corporate legal bullshit. So the next time you see me out, we’ll talk reality and not perception. Sometimes people leave and sometimes they deserve to get fired, just like at your job.
This post is NOT about Roy and Shippy leaving, it’s about all of the turnover that inevitably takes place. As a station, we’re LUCKY that you get so passionate and fired up over changes that happen. It shows how much you care, so I want to give a sincere thank you for that. I’ve probably said too much, but that’s the TRUTH and I’ll always be as honest as I can with you.Love you guys #TOLO
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
