Scheffler doesn't like the sound of his voice

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 14, 2003 | by Lynn Arave Deseret Morning News

Ted Scheffler is a rarity among Utah radio broadcasters. He doesn't like the sound of his voice, which can be heard on both the AM and FM band -- sometimes at the same time.

"I am on KSL Newsradio (AM-1160) and KCPW (FM-88.3/105.1)," he explained. "I'm the daytime host on KCPW (11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.) and host of 'Sound Bites' on KSL. I also appear each Saturday with restaurant picks and food news on 'Weekend Shots With Bryan Schott' on KSL."

Since some of Scheffler's voice work on KCPW is pre-recorded and automated, he can on some days -- Saturday in particular -- be heard on that station and KSL simultaneously.

"I'm usually live on KSL and 'virtual Ted' on KCPW," he said.

"I've never liked the sound of my voice. So it's ironic that I wound up in radio," Scheffler said. "I do have a bit of a lisp, so 'esses' are a little troublesome. You definitely don't want to hear me say 'She sells sea shells. . .' "

Since he doesn't have a "generic" radio voice, he's surprised that he's regularly singled out by people who recognize his voice.

For Scheffler, radio was never a boyhood dream. "I just sort of fell into it," he said.

When he was younger, he was a professional musician. Then, he decided to return to college and became an anthropologist.

"I taught anthropology for a while but never really particularly enjoyed teaching," he said. "So I sort of drifted into publishing and became a book editor in New York City. Now I own my own writing and editorial business called Out on a Limb Productions, because I was really going out on a limb when I quit my cushy publishing job, relocated to Utah, and started my own writing business."

His first radio job was in the mid-'90s on KUMT, "The Mountain." Diane Maggipinto--who was a DJ for KUMT at the time (she's now at KCPW) asked him to do weekly restaurant reviews.

"That's my 'day' job," he said. "I'm the dining editor and restaurant critic for City Weekly and Salt Lake Magazine."

But "The Mountain" soon changed format, and it wasn't until he met "Fisher, Todd and Erin," formerly of KISN, and became their "food dude" that he got back into radio.

Then, about 1997, KSL's Rod Arquette asked him to do a weekly food feature that eventually became "Sound Bites."

Now seven years later, that show is going strong each Thursday at 8:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Scheffler is also on the air Saturdays with a food segment during Bryan Schott's show.

"That's a lot of fun because Bryan is funny, witty and creative, and I think we have good energy together," he said.

A few years ago, he was contacted by KCPW's Chris Eisenberg to do some station breaks and IDs. "I jumped at the opportunity because it provided me with a chance to be able to learn the technical side of radio -- board operation, some engineering, audio editing and that sort of thing," he said.

Scheffler, 47, lives in Park City, has a son, Hank, 4, and a cat named Curry. He also has a growing collection of guitars.

Radio is part-time work for him, but it is taking up more of his time, so he installed a studio in his home.

" I can pre-record 'Sound Bites' for KSL and send it to them as Mp3 files via e-mail," he said. "I don't even have to leave the house! But my primary job is still as a writer and editor."

RADIO HAPPENING -- KBYU (FM-89.1) will present George Washington, portrayed in authentic costume by Carl Closs, Thursday at 7 p.m. in the BYU Museum of Art Auditorium. Seating is limited and there is no late entry.

E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com