Sherman Baldwin in his new studio in Florida — the state not the town.
Former "TalkBerkshires" host Sherman Baldwin has found a home in sunny Sarasota, Fla., on WTMY radio.
The longtime radio host made his debut on "TalkSarasota" last week in the 3 to 6 p.m. spot weekdays. Baldwin said he's trying to the do same type of show he did in the Berkshires, focusing on local issues — politics, business and culture — with call-in questions. He said it's the only show of its type in the Sarasota market, the 73rd largest in the nation.
Baldwin hosted shows in Connecticut and Boston; he's best known around here for his morning program on WUPE a few years ago and his independently owned "TalkBerkshires" that premiered in 2009 after the Capital District station he was working at downsized. "TalkBerkshires" was a success on WBRK but died in a blaze of controversy.
The show was a favorite drop-in point for local pols and personalities who protested Baldwin's banishment from WBRK.
In any case, Baldwin toldhe needed to get back on the air and after a spot on Boston radio didn't pan out he landed in Sarasota.
"I get to go to the beach every day, it's beautiful here," he said. But he misses his WBRK studio, going to Teo's and his Berkshire friends. "I miss the Berkshires dearly. I miss it every day." And while he was a brand name up here, it's been harder to land the big the interviews down South. "I was well known in the Berkshires so getting someone on the line was easy, now the say, 'Sherman Baldwin who are you?'" he laughed.
If you know Baldwin, you know he doesn't take no for an answer. Less than two weeks on the air he's already landed Gov. Charlie Crist.
"I'm doing what I love and that's radio," he said.
We're glad to hear he's back on the airwaves and wish him lots of luck.
Find Baldwin's new website (which looks a lot like his old one) here. You can also watch him livestreaming on the WTMY website (which seriously needs an overhaul — it's scary looking).
"Talk Berkshires" on WBRK 1340-AM is expanding its lineup with "Midday Live" hosted by local radio personality and Berkshires native Bill Sturgeon.
"We are excited about Bill coming onboard. He is the epitome of local talk radio and this is really good for WBRK and the community," said Sherman Baldwin, host of "Talk Berkshires," which launched in May and quickly became one of the more active media outlets in the region.
Baldwin says the "immense success" of "Talk Berkshires" made expanding an obvious next step in local talk show format.
Sturgeon's a criminal justice consultant, working with various divisions of the U.S.
Department of Justice for more than 25 years. His areas of expertise include management,
operations, training, security, emergency management, special operations and first-line supervision. He's also been an instructor and expert witness, and has written widely on security, terrorism, correctional
management, and emergency management. He is co-author of "No Time To Play: Youthful Offenders in Adult Corrections" and "Recess is Over: Managing Youthful Offenders In Adult Systems."
He's been hosting an open mike show on Mondays and Tuesdays on WBRK over the past year. Now he'll be heard five days a week from 10 to 1.
The addition of another block of three-hour local talk ("Talk Berkshires" runs from 3 to 6 p.m.) points to the committment of Baldwin and WBRK President Chip Hodgkins for local news coverage at a time when many stations are turning to canned music or nationally syndicated talk shows.
"We're bucking the trend by adding more local talk. It is an investment into our radio station and
the community," said Hodgkins.
