25 Years For "The Captain"

“Longevity” and “Broadcasting” are not words that usually go together.

One very notable exception is the case of one Herb Ivy, better known as “The Captain” to his legion of fans at 102.9 WBLM. Today marks Herb’s 25th anniversary with the station!

The “Blimp” is one of 94.9 WHOM’s sister stations at One City Center—and the call letters WBLM are virtually synonymous with “The Captain”. For most fans of the Blimp, it is inconceivable to imagine one without the other.

Broadcasting is a competitive business, but the deregulation of the radio industry in the 1980’s led to the consolidation of radio station ownership. Stations which used to be separate entities (and sometimes mortal enemies!)were suddenly thrown together, as was the case in the mid 90’s with WHOM and WBLM. WJBQ (“Q97.9”) and WCYY are fellow sister stations. Maybe the results at other companies are mixed—but not so here at One City Center. Part of the reason is that it’s IMPOSSIBLE to not like and admire Herb Ivy.

First, there is the paradox of Herb the performer and Herb the human being. They are one and the same. Here’s a guy with more talent in his little finger than most people have in their entire bodies---without any semblance of ego or self-centeredness (is that a word?)

Really.

Herb, despite being a legitimate star and local celebrity---has no apparent need for any of it. He is constantly minimizing his own contributions, deflecting all credit to his terrific staff. Always positive, always encouraging, The Captain brings an energy to the building that is contagious.

His long-time morning partner for years was likewise talented, but usually got the credit for being “the funny one”. However, anyone in show business will tell you that the “straight man” is usually the reason why any duo works—and such was the case with Herb. Constantly “setting up” his partner, he had no internal need to deliver the punch line. Instead of putting on a “persona” on for the radio show, Herb was merely HIMSELF on the air---and it’s clear that WBLM listeners picked up on it.

Here’s promo video for WBLM’s “Blimp Bowl of Rock & Roll”—featuring The Captain:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ArlykJrc4

Naturally funny, he amused listeners with his own warped personality---genuine, real-and interesting. That’s a gift—one that we are grateful he has shared with us for the past 25 years. Herb has a way of storytelling that draws you in.

U2’s Bono found this out when both of us had the good fortune to meet him in Boston a couple of years ago. Following an exclusive show at a small theatre, Herb and I had the opportunity to meet Bono. For most of us, this was a relatively brief encounter—smiles, a camera shot or two—and then off to the next person. Very friendly and cordial, but something of an assembly line. Not so with Herb.

As is his natural talent for being in the right place at the right time, Herb just HAPPENED to be the first person that Bono encountered. Instead of the quickie “meet & greet” (which in the UK is euphemistically referred to as the “grip and grin”), Herb and Bono began to talk at length. As is the case with everyone who comes across the path of The Captain, Bono was clearly enjoying his lengthy conversation with Herb—much to the consternation of those VIP’s waiting for their turn. I loved every minute of it!

Instead of reciting a resume full of call letters and varied markets, Herb is proud to state that not only is WBLM is his only radio job---it’s the only JOB he has ever had. Fresh from the University of Virginia 25 years ago, Herb was hired as an overnight disc jockey at WBLM, then operating out of a trailer in Litchfield, Maine.

Fast forwarding, Herb then ascended to the night show---and then to the WBLM Morning Show, where he has been ever since. He is also the Program Director for WBLM and WCYY. His current partner Celeste is the perfect complement to his personality—and remains the bedrock of a station where most of the personalities---from Celeste to Tommy C, Brian James (“The Guru”), Ron Brown and Dom have been at WBLM for years.

The Blimp is a legendary station—with a slew of great moments and stories (most of which cannot be repeated apparently)—and The Captain has been the ringleader throughout it all.

A true milestone—25 years.

And when people ask me—“is he really as NICE in person as he appears to be on the radio?”, the answer, as everyone who knows him can attest to----is a resounding:

“HELL, YEAH!”

Congrats Herb—on an amazing 25 years on WBLM—kicking butt---here’s to another 25!

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