Sheila Rogers began her career as a writer for Rolling Stone Magazine as its Random Notes columnist in 1986. She later branched out into special feature articles including interviews with Billy Joel, Phoebe Snow (musician) and Bonnie Raitt. Rogers occasionally reviewed concerts for Rolling Stone including Janet Jackson's tour.
After leaving writing in 1992, Rogers got a big break with an opportunity to move into television production as a talent scout with The David Letterman Show. In 1996, Rogers became one of the show's music producers and co-produced the first and only Letterman music CD Live on Letterman featuring various popular artists' live performance material including that of Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello, Jerry Garcia and Sheryl Crow. Rogers' connections she had established as a writer for Rolling Stone brought the Letterman Show a lot of access to top talent in the music industry.
Sheila Rogers has been one of the music producers for The Letterman Show since 1992 to present (2007). Along with the production team, she has been nominated for several Emmy's. In 2004 David Letterman announced on national television Rogers had a son with the music producer for Saturday Night Live, Hal Wilner. Rogers and Wilner are recognized as highly influential in Manhattan entertainment circles and had a child in November, 2004 together.
A graduate of Reed College in 1980, Rogers also attended American University of Paris and finished her B.A. in History at UC Berkeley. A native Southern Californian, Sheila Rogers is the youngest of 4 siblings from the wealthy suburb of Palos Verdes Estates California as the daughter of Rita Rogers, MD a renown psychiatrist who practiced in Palos Verdes Estates' Malaga Cove for nearly three decades, and the late Allen Rogers, MD, a brain surgeon who practiced in Torrance, California.
In August of 1992, Rogers was pulled over for drunk driving in Los Angeles and was later found guilty of a DUI. Initially pleading not guilty and appearing without an attorney, Rogers denied being intoxicated. Her father, Allen Rogers, MD, posted $10,000 bond. The money was later forfeited when Rogers failed to attend the first court hearing. Judge Elva Soper, citing lack of valid legal reason provided by Rogers, then placed a hold on the bench warrant issued giving Rogers a short window to attend. Later Rogers obtained an attorney's representation, pleaded no contest and cooperated to complete 200+ hours of community service. Rogers also attend a drinking and driving education course and paid a small $1,200 fine, attorney's fees and the $10,000 forfeited bail for the incident. Rogers has since had no further criminal infractions.
