Shebel Doing ‘Something Different’

• Veteran programmer Chris Shebel, PD of AC KKCW (K103) and Classic Hits Eagle 106.7/Portland, OR surprised a few folks yesterday when he announced via Facebook that he’s resigning at the end of the year when his current contract expires and is relocating to Palm Springs, CA.

“It’s time to do something different,” Shebel wrote. “I’m not using the ‘R’ word because I don’t have the skills to predict the future… and I won’t weigh out going back in radio again, but now seems like a good time to take a break. I also want my radio friends to understand that this was my choice and not iHeart’s. They wanted me to sign another deal and even when I get to Palm Springs I may still be working on some things with them….or maybe not…too early to think beyond starting the next adventure.”

Shebel arrived in Portland in August 2012 after six years as OM of iHeartMedia’s Raleigh cluster. His lengthy career began at the venerable WSPT/Stevens Point, WI and includes such notable calls as WLS/Chicago, WDJX/Louisville, WRMF/W. Palm Beach, KNGY/San Francisco, PRO-FM/Providence and Big City’s former Chicago cluster: WKIE/WKIF/WDEK and WXXY/WYXX. Shebel added, “In the meantime, I’m here programming two excellent radio stations with some really great people, and for those of you that have been saying since I got here five years ago that you have to come see this magical place — the clock is ticking.”