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Morning Y’all: Marty White Marks 40 Years On The Radio
August 8, 2013
“Morning y’all!”
Marty White has been waking up Pensacola area residents on “Your Hometown Morning Show” on 102.7 WXBM for over 20 years now…a phenomenally long time in the world of today’s radio business, big corporations and a tendency to change morning hosts on a whim. And this month, he’s marking another major milestone — 40 years behind a microphone, over 30 of those on the radio in Pensacola.
“Somebody that I knew, knew somebody with a radio station. I went in, read a few PSA’s (public service announcements), and the next thing I know, I was on the air making $1.65 an hour,” Marty said Wednesday morning from behind the mic in the control room of WXBM.
“Boy radio has come a long way since then. We used to have a couple of turntables on one side for the records and carts (large, 8-track like cassettes) for the commercials,” he said.
“Then we got all this,” he said, pointing to a computer system that lines up songs and commercials that automatically play with the click of the mouse. “I told ‘em I was never going to learn this computer stuff, or it was going to take me two years to figure out how to do anything.”
But he’s adapted. And that’s a big part of the reason he’s still around in the every-changing world of corporate radio.
WXBM”s studios are no longer out in the country “at the end of the road” in Chumuckla. Now, the WXBM studio is tucked away at “the end of the hallway” in an office park building off W Street in Pensacola. Just down the hallway are the studios for WXBM’s “sister” stations — WCOA 1370 AM, News Talk 100.7 FM, Magic 106.1, and Today’s Soft Rock 94.1 — all owned by media giant Cumulus.
Despite all the changes, Marty is still a self-described country boy who “barely graduated from Tate High School” that went from high school in Cantonment to the U.S. Air Force as a spy before his first radio gig.
“Man, she makes the best potato salad around,” Marty remarked on the air about the wife of a man celebrating a birthday. It’s those little down home touches that make Marty part of the family each morning in thousands of area homes.
In his spare time, you’ll often find him on the golf course, hunting somewhere in the North Escambia woods or out on a buddy’s boat.
The country artists on the air have changed a lot over 20 years at WXBM, but for Marty his favorites are still George….George Strait or George Jones. His all time favorites are “The Chair” by George Strait, “Bed of Roses” by George Jones, “That Was Us” byRandy Travis, and one almost guaranteed not to be on a teenager’s iPod — “16 Little Red Roses and a Horse That Sweats” by Jim Stafford.
Getting up early for a 6 a.m. start on the radio is just a way of life for Marty White. His show is not powered by coffee. There’s usually just a little water in his “sippy cup”, or just a little extra power from a Mountain Dew.
“I guess I’ll always be here behind a mic,” Marty said Wednesday morning. “Unless I win that Powerball tonight. Got $4 in that thing. Then this chair going to be empty in the morning.”
Pictured top and bottom: Longtime radio host Marty White on 102.7 WXBM Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: Marty White records a commercial in August of 1985.
Comments
24 Responses to “Morning Y’all: Marty White Marks 40 Years On The Radio”
Congrats Marty wow 40 years that really tells your age, long time, my children listen to you every morning as well as myself, keep up the good work and many more to come, love you lots.
I first started listening to Marty White as he was along side of Luke McCoy on WOWW 107.3. At that time Linda Lawrence was on the WXBM morning show with Robert Michael Green. Do y’all remember that? Jay Christopher was the WOWW 107 afternoon guy. He is now known as Jared Willis on WEAR channel 3.
I have enjoyed listening to Marty White for many years, he’s a staple.
Marty and Linda – never be another team like um. Congratulations Marty. Been listening from Jay to Pensacola every morning for 18 years. Thanks for your work with Sacred.
Congrats Marty on your 40 years behind the mic. It could not happen to a better fellow. I have always enjoyed the show…with Linda…and then Lindsey Marie…who brought a fresh voice to the air. I think you are part of a great team of real people at WXBM. Here’s hoping you have many more great years on the air…Congrats again!!! I seriously don’t remember how many years I have listened to your show…but it has been many and hopefully many more!!!
Congrats Marty,Love and enjoy listen to you, keep up the good work..up… love CeeCee!!!
Boy how time flies, I did not realize it had been forty years for you in radio, That’s a real accomplishment and to know you have always been number one in radio and will continue to be so as long as you are behind the microphone
Congrats Marty! You’re the best. Kathy and I listen every morning we are in town. I started listening when we lived in Orlando and were driving through to Tyler Texas and were in the panhandle in the mornings. Had the pre-select button on the radio set for your show.
Marty has been my source of news and entertainment for my 45 min drive to work for the last 24yrs. 102.7 WXBM is the only preset station on my radio! He also has helped me get the shout out for races @ Atmore MX.
Thanks Marty White
Happy Birthday and congratulations on 40 years or radio service. I’ve been listening to you for the last 8 years since moving here. Love your position on most all the issues of todays world. Too bad some “higher up” people don’t listen and get a hint of what makes sense to most of us.
Thanks for always talking with me on the phone when I call to comment on something you and Lindsey Marie have been talking about.
Good luck and keep up the great work.
Your morning listener/caller…..Tony
>>the Escambia High Gator Football T-Shirt from the 80’s. Just curious?
Marty was the voice of the Escambia Gators back in the middle 80’s and the days of Emmitt Smith
Another fan here. Been listening for years.
I know you graduated from Tate, but being an Escambia High Alum, I couldn’t help notice the Escambia High Gator Football T-Shirt from the 80’s. Just curious?
I miss Linda too. What happened to her—-?
Hearing you in Mexico on the computer. Glad for the tech. to tune in everywhere i travel a piece home makes it whole lot better. Congrates for all the years of service to all. Love you bro (PS) They like the music down here but cant understand the words LOL
Congrats Marty, us Taters are proud of you, and I think you and Lindsey Marie bring a new fresh show,the show is so much better with Lindsey Marie yall just seem to click better than your old partner.
Congratulations, Marty. You are a true pro– it’s always been a pleasure working with you or hearing you on the air.
Congratulations Marty! We have enjoyed you all these many years. You and Linda was the best team ever. I wish she had not left. hope you will be there many more years.
Great going Marty. That is what I call longevity. Congratulations on your career and waking up so many of us early risers and car riders. Well done.
Man love you show, i listen to it every morning. But its just not the same without Linda. you guys were a great pair. Hope I am listening to you for along time to come.
Love listening to him and sure miss Miss Linda!!!
Enjoy listening to you Marty.
May you be on for 40 more Marty.
show wasn’t the same after Linda,those two were guiet a team……..
Congrats Marty. I grew up in Atmore and listened to you every morning on the way to school. When I was stationed at Hurlburt Field I was glad that I was able to listen you you and Linda in the mornings. Morning radio shows arean’t the same out in New Mexico. Hope you’re still around when I get to move back that way some day.
Like!