Baden Hall #1: The BIG Arsehole of Knysna FM
“I WILL MAKE IT MY BUSINESS to bring upon you the same wrath that you brought upon Shaun van Eck.” – Baden Hall
He calls himself Big Daddy but Big Arsehole is far more appropriate for KnysnaFM’s disgusting Baden Hall. He’s threatened me and a tourist (shockingly so – tell you about that in Part 3) in a manner that damages the image of the radio station and Knysna.
Not wanting to tar Knysna FM with the same brush, i contacted Ralph Sparg, the station manager – he did absolutely nothing. I emailed station owner, Gordon Hoffman – he did not respond. Several times, i contacted Sue van der Gaast, manager of their sister station in Plettenberg Bay, mc90.3fm, and she said that Gordon would get hold of me – he didn’t…and she never followed up with me.
I restrained myself from blogging about this the past 10 weeks because i want to believe in KnysnaFM and its contribution to Knysna. I especially didn’t want to mar the efforts of the many DJs, some i know, who’ve worked for for the station for little or nothing at all. But something is only as good as its roots and the people that run it so i’m now doubting its value. Today, i start presenting this reflection by telling you what what happened with Baden Hall…
The build-up was during the recent Knysna Tourism debacle when worms oozed out of the woodwork in support of then CEO, Shaun van Eck, who had been suspended. Some were poorly disguised political supporters whilst others were simply, yet loudly, emotionally blind. Baden Hall seems to fall into the latter category.
At the press conference preceding the emergency Knysna members’ meeting that was held at the Premier Hotel, Baden Hall was there representing Knysna FM. After i complained to Ralph Sparg about what happened (Ralph said that a meeting with Knysna Tourism was to be held because of it), i received an obnoxious email from Baden in which he tried to cover-up, saying that he was representing himself (“Too late,” cried the cuckoo as it flew from the liar’s nest). It was a press conference. Knysna FM received a press invite. Only Baden from Knysna FM turned up. Baden Hall
is not only a DJ but on the production team of Knysna FM.
Baden Hall’s actions at this meeting were absolutely bizarre. If anything, i was expecting to be the controversial one but i was 100% “upstaged” by Baden’s illogical rantings that earned snickers and irritation from other media. Baden never presented any questions that could be called journalism. Instead, he attacked the Tourism Board, calling them petrolheads and saying that they were representing their own, secret agenda. He never substantiated his accusations but, instead, became more conflictory. What he did ‘substantiate’ was why Shaun van Eck was a good CEO. Totally ignoring the charges against van Eck, Baden used the example that geniuses are mavericks who don’t have to follow the rules – an example was comparing van Eck to Chris Barnard, the first heart transplant surgeon. I don’t see the link between Barnard who improved the field of surgery and van Eck who basically bankrupted Knysna Tourism. I haven’t read the same fairy book as Baden.
Ralph Sparg, the Knysna FM station manager who doesn’t care.
I phoned Knysna FM, seeking Baden Hall so as to clarify his statements before mentioning it on my blog. He wasn’t in so i spoke to Ralph Sparg, the station manager, who was very unhelpful and ‘asked’ me not to mention Baden at all. I said that it was relevant but that i’d keep it brief until Baden responded – i kept my word and only blogged:
“Baden Hall, from Knysna FM, was fervent in his support of Shaun van Eck and accused the Board of hidden agendas which he wouldn’t clarify. He added that geniuses break the rules and creative types don’t necessarily need to follow them. He was of the opinion that van Eck did a good job marketing our town (please note that i hold back from full commentary as his view does not necessarily represent Knysna FM who will be having a meeting with Knysna Tourism so as to seek understanding).”
Despite me keeping it to a minimum, Ralph later blamed me for the situation with, “After asking you not to mention Baden in your blog you merrily went ahead and did the opposite.” More importantly, Ralph, did not address Baden’s actions.
I emailed Baden the following: “Hi, Baden. We never met properly at Premier yesterday. I phoned the station today as i wanted to clarify your complaints of hidden agendas. You weren’t in so i kept the mention of you to a minimum – www.knysnakeep.org/why-shaun-van-eck-was-dismissed-part-1.”
Whilst i was offline, i was obviously unaware that Baden Hall had made a comment which was waiting for my approval (all first commentators are held for moderation so as to prevent spam). When connected again, i downloaded my emails which included the first threat from Baden:
“I notice that my submission from earlier today has not yet been moderated, nor published. Is this a case of “Don’t do as I do, but just what I say”? Remember the immortal words of Eisenhower ‘I keep my friends close to me….and my enemies even closer’. Possibly you need to take heed of this pearl of wisdom, because, trust me, your forum is not the only forum upon which I can express myself. There are many other forums that are far more visible, and more widely read, than your blog. It would be infinitely better to publish my (unedited) response on your blog, for if you find it is necessary to preclude my response,
I WILL MAKE IT MY BUSINESS to bring upon you the same wrath that you brought upon Shaun van Eck, using all the channels at my disposal, including my own e-mailing database of 1,8 million world-wide hospitality guests that I have acquire over the past 22 years as IT/Software Marketing Consultant to SAA, Sun International, Southern Suns, Conservation Corporation of Africa, to name some of my bigger profile clients. You have been apprised. Now lets see if you have the balls to deal with this one. I’m certainly not holding my breath, that’s for sure.”
I looked down and was ‘surprised’ to discover that my “balls” were still attached – i approved his long comment that was still devoid of fact but certainly carried on providing insight into his character.
The threat within was literally : “Never argue with the man behind the microphone.”
His overreaction confirmed his loony tunes status and clearly demonstrated his big ego. More importantly, in threatening me he had abused his position on the airwaves (illegal) and mentioned companies who would undoubtedly not support his abuse of their name, privacy agreements or databases acquired through association with them. I have to take his 1.8million database claim with a pinch of salt as he would surely, as the good person he implies he is, have used it by now to better KnysnaFM or the state of tourism in our town. Nevertheless, the threats were made with ill-intent and i’ve learned to take threats seriously.
I asked Baden to be constructive and provide a copy of the recording he made of the press conference (which would clarify what happened). Instead of saying yes and resolving some of the right and wrong of this mess, subjective Baden carried on his attack, ironically stating that i was not being objective and falsely accused me of editing his comment (blatantly untrue and i challenge him to provide the ‘proof’ he mentions below):
“…there is only one liar, and any critical thinking person will immediately know to whom I am referring…my response has been substantially edited by you, thus reflecting an incomplete and skewed submission. Unfortunately (for you), suspecting that this would be case, a copy was made prior to submission. Text comparisons will be made on an opposition blog site… As the for the other words for the other words used (that were edited out of the response), it is certainly demonstrates a complete lack of quality education on your behalf, whilst the genealogical connectivity would best left from prying minds….”
Part of my response included, “I don’t cower to bullies…and a bully you are. I fight bullies.” He then became only the second person to be banned from the blog.
But the Baden story was not yet over as a reader contacted me to tell me that she had Googled Baden Hall to discover that he was a Mannatech salesman. Read Part 2: Baden Hall & Mannatech here. Part 3, on Wednesday (Feb 13), will be Baden Hall Threatens a Tourist.
I am joining this discussion because Mr Hall has used his position at Knysna FM to infringe the intellectual property and rights of LM Radio. He has also made some very disparaging remarks about the founders of LM Radio and about the station itself.
Firstly Mr Hall claims to have been an employee of LM Radio and that he was fired for “daring to be creative”. Mr Hall was NEVER an employee of LM Radio. We tried him out as a volunteer presenter doing one show a week. LM Radio has strict programme and music guidelines. Mr Hall did not agree and did his own thing without consulting the director of programmes. He was warned to stick to the guidelines, but he did not. Mr Hall also presented himself to staff as the acting CEO which he never is/was. He was asked to leave and was told that we did not require his services as a volunteer presenter.
Mr Hall has posted the following comments on his web page:
Quote:
• “S’pose you could say he [Peter de Nobrega] “passed away years ago”……in a mental capacity. His body still haunts the airways!”
• “Regarding who owns LM Radio, I suppose you could say a bunch of (former) employees who have not progressed beyond employee mentality…The “main shareholder” (PDN) claims absolute ignorance about things electronic, but he is attempting to drive the whole LM RADIO thing into a global phenomenon……based on bits of paper and listener surveys in….wait for this…..in Mozambique! They claim 250000 listeners, yet 249000 are LSM1 people….ie No disposable income. The other 5000 listeners are LSM5-8, with credit cards, are scattered around the world. But no…they don’t count!”
THE FACTS:
LM Radio is a commercial radio station operating in Mozambique since December 2009. Independent market research confirmed a daily peak listenership of more than 75,000 and a weekly average of more than 125,000 in the first year of operation. There has been considerable growth since then. LM Radio also has a considerable listenership on free to air satellite and streaming. LM Radio has been awarded an FM licence on 104 MHZ to broadcast from Maseru in Lesotho with coverage across large parts of the Free State and even parts of Bloemfontein.
As for his other comments, they are not worth even replying to, except to say that all the owners, management and staff of LM Radio are accomplished professionals with proven track records.
Mr Hall is broadcasting on Knysna FM using the LM Radio name and jingles illegally, without permission and is infringing the registered trade marks and copyright of LM Radio. Legal action will be taken to protect LM Radio’s programming and intellectual property.
Check out LM Radio for yourself at http://www.lmradio.co.mz or on free to air satellite using a free to air receiver or single view DSTV decoder.
Chris Turner, shareholder and CEO
chris@lmradio.co.mz
He does seem full of self-importance, Michael, and his personal vendetta against you sure makes you seem to be VERY important in his mind!
In this case, where the reaction is vastly over-proportioned, it may be small man syndrome i.e. over-compensation, indeed:)
I followed your link to the “why-shaun-van-eck-was-dismissed” and read it with some disbelief. I have had some personal experience with this chap and will say that he seems a mite imbalanced in his unique aggressive approach to anyone who disagrees with him or has any kind of constructive criticism of any kind. It seems as if Mr Hall has a long and sometimes sordid history of histrionics when it comes to confrontation, even once turning to violence.
What caught my eye though, was a reference to his being a “retired man of considerable means”. This is not true. he drives a 12 year-old diesel bakkie that needs serious attention, he is renting a very cheap house, he owes over R100,00.00 to at least two local residents, (he’s been in Knysna for less than a year) and he’s looking to borrow some more money.
His claims to working for all these big time organisations is pure poppycock and can easily be debunked by anyone with access to a telephone, in a New York minute. He has three failed Business Machine businesses behind him and a bankrupt landscaping business so I have no idea from whence these considerable means come from.
I am the tourist he threatened last year, so I took the liberty of doing a little digging when I got back to Johannesburg. If I had to tell you here, on this blog, what I have managed to dig up these last 6 weeks, you would, no doubt, tar and feather the man and run him straight out of town on a pole. He told me in an email in December that “I know who you are and where you live, you had better be afraid, very afraid”
When he finally knows who I am, (he still has no clue, yet) I think he may regret letting his bad temper out to play in such an inopportune manner.
I don’t wish anyone ill will or bad fortune, but sometimes one has to weigh into a bad situation in defense of future “victims”
I LOVE Knysna FM. It has the best music and most dedicated staff on the planet and I would never disparage it in any way, but management is more about leadership then it is about managing and when the leaders start protecting themselves and putting themselves above the brand, then the alarm bells start to be heard. Fail to honour people, and they will fail to honour you.
Thank you for your input. I will have more to say about this but that’s best left to a full blog.
I love a good bit of irony. And the example above is a beautiful one.
I take the liberty of quoting your quote from Mr. Hall (adding some):
“…As the (sic) for the other words for the other words (sic – duplication) used (that were edited out of the response), it is (sic) certainly demonstrates a complete lack of quality education on your behalf, whilst the genealogical connectivity would best left from prying minds….”
Really Mr. Hall it is demonstrates?! Maybe you meant it demonstrates, or maybe you meant it is demonstrative. And then to follow up such a gem with “a complete lack of quality education”… Lovely, just lovely.
…and education is not only in the use of words but in the understanding of the result of a bunch of them being strung together. For my part, that equation is this blog. Baden Hall’s was simply an attack without substance as it never offered an understanding. Playing word games for the sake of ego does nothing to solve the problem.
Personally, if I was penning an angry rant about someone’s poor grasp of English and lack of education, I’d be tempted to run my hate-burp through a spell-checker before posting it.
🙂
Some more tasty snippets from the “highly educated” Hall character.
snip “but rather the seeking to extract THE FACTS leading up to the dismal* of the Knysna Tourism CEO.” The dismal? Those dismals cause so much trouble.
“This is not a subjective claim on my behalf, but rather objective knowledge empirically glean* from my past 40 years involved in public affairs and corporative board rooms.” Glean in the gloaming? Corporative? Sorted.
“The situation surrounding Knysna Tourism screams of vested interest by members of the board.” Of course it does. It’s their job to have a vested interest.
” Once again, the old adage, the bigger the numbers, the more desperate people become.” No. This is a new adage, penned by yourself. Google it.
“I choose to associated with people who add value to their fellow man’s lives. I will not permit destructive, ignorant, vile and uncouth onanists to pollute my Being. ” It takes a wanker to know one. What is a vile and uncouth onanist? How does one become one?
snip. “you have a complete inability to differential between “subjectivity” and “objectivity”.” I think your differential needs a mechanic.
Apart from those tiny slip ups, whaow, killer intellectual stuff from Baden Hall, or one could easily construe it as much self-important teeth-gnashing masquerading as concern. Take your pick.
Please just remember to give the other guys and dolls space away from him…he is NOT Knysna Fm…just one odd chap.
well that needs to be stated by the head of Knysna FM, but at the time he was representing the radio station, when he behaved badly at the Tourism meeting. He sounds like a really dodgy character. Fire him. I love Mike’s blog posts- showing us the real underbelly of Knysna, so we can clean it up.
Thanks, Marylou.
If only all my readers kept their attention on the actual topic. Unfortunately, my attackers rarely do and instead aim for me. That’s diversion 101 – practical for ill-purposes but disinformation at its heart…and cowardly.
Hmmmm……Mike….I dont do politics…am left alone to create special shows….under no wing….but the rest of the lads on Knysna Fm are shocked…would hate to see them get hurt as they try so hard to do as much as possible for comunity….this is one person…not the rest of us.
I am aware that the person is not very popular….
Let me repeat that this is, fore-mostly, about the management of KnysnaFM. I haven’t disparaged the efforts of the DJs. I was in the music game some i’m not unaware of the challenges and joys nor, most often, the overriding passion for music. There is a problem and Gordon and Ralph chose not to address it. I’m doing my best to make them address it. It’s really that simple.
We as presenters at Knysna FM are working extremely hard and sacrificing our time, petrol and so much more to work on a brand that we’re proud of. As you mentioned, we don’t get paid much. It’s true and that’s why it should be clear that we’re in it for the right reasons- passion.
With Knysna FM recently celebrating its 2nd birthday, we’re proud of what this local station achieved in such a short time.
As for the above article, I can’t help but to see it as a personal attack against an individual and the organization he’s involved with. Same story with Shaun van Eck. My opinion.
Wicked Mike, do you realise that you are attempting to break down something we’ve all worked so hard on? I know this is not the end of it as you promised a 3rd article and I can’t wait to read it. But do you realise the impact of it all? The consequences you will face?
At Knysna FM, we’re a happy family and it’s all for one and one for all. As for mutilating our beautiful logo… why Mike, why? Did you get satisfaction out of it while playing with it on Photoshop?
Look, we can’t always agree with everyone, but then sort it out face to face. Why wash dirty laundry in public? This town is filled with enough negativity as it is. Psychics claim to see mysterious dark clouds hovering above us … Whether it’s true, I don’t know. But it feels like it.
Blogging is fun, I know, but by publishing it all for the world to see people are hurt and saddened. You’ve insulted people here who are really close to me. Then again, not everyone has to believe what you write here, or do they?
You’re a talented writer, but you’ll have to learn to channel it in a more positive way. I don’t see the article above as a positive contribution to our community, do you?… It just doesn’t suit the smiling favicon on the top bar, don’t you think?
You sound reasonable but you’re not at all. Fact is that you are under Ralph’s wing and, like him, you’re not addressing the real issue. As said in my previous comment, too often people in Knysna base there opinions and actions on their relationships. That, essentially, is selfish. It’s helluva poor form to deflect away from the real topic and on to me whose not the topic. That doesn’t solve the problem and has nothing to to do with truth (whose pursuit is not the “fun” blogging you imply). If the “people you care about” cared about the station, we would not be having this moment.
“Helluva poor form”- are you in a position to accuse others of that?
I’m accusing you, not others. You ignoring the actual news is perturbing as you’re a news reader. To not address a problem is to condone it. You haven’t addressed Baden’s actions at all. All you do is misdirect onto me. That’s unfortunately been a useful propaganda in our modern society. Say something enough times and it will become someone’s version of the truth. Point fingers enough times and then people will look there. It has nothing to do with being constructive which would be a much better way for you to love your station.
It is a shame…so sad…have been with Knysna Fm since its inception…got to the final 3 night time presenters in SA @ the MTN national radio awards after only one year…I believe in our station…and there are others too…have done nothing but promote the top unsigned artists in SA mixed with those around the globe in a specialized show thats unique in SA….this whole travesty hurts us others who love our station..our town.
I realize that what i say has to, in some way, affect you all but i hope that the DJs also realize that my intention is not to cause them harm. Like much in Knysna, the problem is not with the “workers” but with management. And management, whether in business or government, tends to not act like managers but instead ignore problems in the bizarre belief that they will just go away and never return to haunt again. To an extent, their incompetent belief will hold true for most. People give up. Beating your head against a brick wall of indifference or arrogance is tiring and demoralizing. I get that because i face the choice every day…but today was a day to “butt heads” again. What frustrates me immensely is that owners and managers don’t believe in their product enough to deal with problems the best they can so that their product keeps improving. Instead, personal relationships seem to often, in Knysna, take precedence over doing a good job, over right or wrong. That unsubstantiated emotion does not bode well for longevity.
This in many ways is true…..the person mentioned has been @ the station for a really small amount of time in comparison to many others here who help the comunity…do charity work and are very proud of our little station and work for very little recompense…we hope collectively that this embarresment somehow doesnt affect the rest of us.
A solution would be for the DJs to sort the situation with Knysna FM. I totally realize that i’m going to take a lot of flack for this blog (there are a lot of you who know a lot of people i.e. this will be no “fun” for me at all) but if you believe in the station, then fight for it and be part of the solution. The fact is that Baden has pissed off others – Knysna is small so it’s unlikely that the staff of Knysna FM are unaware.