VALHALLA, N.Y. — It was a perhaps atypical farewell compared to other on-air goodbye from legendary radio air personalities. But, considering it involved Scott Shannon, perhaps it was the perfect send-off for a man who started his career some 55 years ago at nights at Bernie Dittman-owned WABB in Mobile and has been a morning star for some 40 years.
Shannon and co-host Patty Steele hosted their final show for Audacy Corp.’s Classic Hits WCBS-FM in New York on Friday (12/16), concluding an 8 1/2 year run that came after Shannon’s first “retirement,” from former Hot Adult Contemporary WPLJ.
Could Shannon still be thinking about more than hosting his weekly syndicated America’s Greatest Hits, even after today’s fundraising-filled farewell show from Blythedale Children’s Hospital, which saw its board of directors donate upward of $400,000 to the medical center in Westchester County, N.Y., in honor of Steele and Shannon?
That’s very possible, as Shannon quipped in the final hour of the broadcast that he wished he had “a home” to do a similar on-air fundraising event in December 2023 on behalf of the specialty children’s hospital, which has family ties to Shannon and his now 38-year-old daughter, Kathleen.
Blythedale is dedicated to improving the health of children with complex medical conditions, and Shannon and Steele put all of the focus of their final show on live performances, Christmas tunes and getting listeners to donate to the hospital. McDonald’s made a big financial contribution.
Dave Stewart, back at 345 Hudson Street in New York, worked the board. Shannon thanked WCBS-FM Brand Manager Jim Ryan and Audacy/New York Market President Chris Oliveiro.
Shannon even sang, rather than play a final favorite tune, putting his chops to lyrics as he sung the opening words of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas.”
And with a trademark “Bye, buckaroos,” Shannon and Steele concluded a tenure at WCBS-FM that began in March 2014 under CBS Radio ownership.
The final broadcast for Shannon and Steele at WCBS-FM was a star-studded one, too, as Rob Thomas returned for his 23rd consecutive appearance at the Blythedale fundraiser. His appearance has helped Shannon and his efforts in raising more than $4 million to the hospital. Money raised from this year’s broadcast will support Blythedale’s Infant & Toddler Unit, which provides care and treatment to the Hospital’s smallest and most fragile babies.
The focus on fundraising perhaps illustrates the power of radio and, at the same time, Shannon’s humility in not making his final WCBS-FM broadcast about him or Steele. Radio stations across the country this holiday season have demonstrated particular strength in raising funds for needy, charitable organizations. For the Audacy station, this was perhaps the biggest takeaway across the 6am-10am time period.
“This is always everyone’s favorite day of the year at Blythedale,” said Blythedale President/CEO Larry Levine. “And this year will be an especially poignant one, as we recognize Scott Shannon and Patty Steele for their extraordinary work over the last three decades on behalf of Blythedale’s children. It’s simply impossible to articulate the depth of our gratitude.”
To make a donation in support of the event, please call (914) 831-2424, or by texting BCHKIDS to 53-555.
This year, the Hospital is also selling commemorative T-shirts for $40 (click here to see larger image), and, as in years’ past, there will be a special rock ‘n roll auction with some awesome items up for grabs.
What’s next for Shannon remains the subject of much industry speculation.
Shannon had signed a contract extension with Audacy Corp., then-known as Entercom, in September 2020. That deal saw Shannon also continue to host the syndicated weekend program America’s Greatest Hits.
This will continue, keeping Shannon’s voice on the radio for the foreseeable future. At WCBS-FM, the syndicated program airs on Sunday mornings.
Additionally, the Shannon-created and Shannon-voiced “True Oldies Channel” will continue. In New York, it can be found on WCBS-FM HD3.
Yet, there’s unsubstantiated conversation in the New York Tri-State Area that Shannon has more to say on a daily basis. With the recent death of Bernard McGuirk, who co-hosted the WABC-AM in New York morning show with Sid Rosenberg, the subject of Shannon taking a shift at the legendary radio station today owned by John Catsimatidis’ Red Apple Media has come up in more than one gossip-filled conversation.
Today, that’s simply speculation, as Steele also looks forward to what’s next.
For now, for both air personalities, that’s taking a step back from daily on-air activities — at least at WCBS-FM. Shannon told AllAccess he’s heading to Florida for a month of golfing.
