Neal Sharpe Hangs Up His Headphones
• We are sending our best wishes to a longtime friend — Neal Sharpe, PD of Radio One Hot AC WLNK (Mix 100.9 & 99.3)/Charlotte, who announced his retirement from radio, effective today. Sharpe’s big news follows the career milestone achieved by Mix morning co-host Matt Harris, who yesterday celebrated his 25th anniversary with WLNK.
Sharpe’s 45+ year career began at Buffalo State College in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. He later interned at 97 Rock/Buffalo followed by a stint at WBTF/Attica, NY, just down the street from the famous prison, “where we always had a captive audience,” he joked. After subsequent on-air gigs at WESB/Bradford, PA and WLVL/Lockport, NY, Sharpe landed at WKSE (Kiss 98.5)/Buffalo, where he was part of the station’s famous “worst-to-first” storyline.
This had been Sharpe’s second tour of duty with WLNK — he earlier spent nearly 11 years as PD of WLNK under the ownership of Greater Media. He went on to program Clear Channel Classic Hits WJGH (Magic 107.3) and Fox Sports affiliate WFXJ/Jacksonville, leading into a decade-long run as Operations Manager of Saga’s seven-station group in Asheville, NC. Then, in April 2022, after a 12-year gap, history repeated itself, and Sharpe returned to the PD chair at WLNK. Earlier in his career Sharpe spent three years as APD/MD and eventually, PD of WNCI/Columbus.
Sharpe (pictured here with UNC’s mascot, “Rameses,” who stopped by to wish him well), noted, “Over the years I’ve held airshifts in every daypart; I’ve been a News Director, Sports Director, Music Director, Program Director, and even General Manager for 10 months,” he said. “That’s my story… and it’s been a blast.”
[Ed. Note: I first met Neal in the early ’90s during my first trade magazine gig at Hitmakers, and Neal was PD of the legendary WJET (Jet FM)/Erie, PA. I have followed his career ever since, and we’ve kept in regular touch. As the saying goes, “He’s one of the good guys.”]
