Radio Icon Marty White Retiring

April 9, 2015


Marty White is retiring after 42 years on the air, with 37 of those years on Pensacola radio. As a fixture on Pensacola morning radio, White woke up Pensacola area listeners on 102.7 WXBM’s “Hometown Morning Show” for over 20 years. Over the last year, he co-hosted WXBM’s afternoon drive show with Lindsey Marie, who will remain with the afternoon show.

His final day on the air will be June 26.

White is a native of Pensacola, a Tate High School graduate and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He has driven race cars at 5 Flags Speedway, flown with the Blue Angels, danced atop radio station vans as “Billy Bob” Ace Traffic Reporter and even donned a snakeskin dress with “Dolly Parton” wig and heels at the Beulah Sausage Fest. All in the name of furthering WXBM’s visibility in the market and all with the station’s call letters emblazoned across his signature ball cap.

White has been recognized by countless charitable organizations for his help in promoting various events and endeavors including the annual Kaps for Kids Event for the Ronald McDonald House, which he was a part of for 15 years. He was recognized by Northeast Pensacola Sertoma with the Service to Mankind Humanitarian Award in 2004-2005. He was recently recognized on the floor of Congress for his laudable 40 years on the air. The Honorable Jeff Miller spoke of White’s successes and achievements serving the people of the Pensacola and northwest Florida area.

White has performed diligently throughout his career; always believing the reason the radio station’s tower was erected was to serve the community. He has spent many hours away from his family during threatening storms to ensure the safety of lives and property, keeping listeners informed with his calm and confident style. He spent many more hours and days on the air after those storms ensuring the community would recover, and rendering factual and pertinent information.

Marty White has been the consummate professional– always ready to lend a hand and provide air time when needed. He is recognized as one of the most talented and loved air personalities to have worked in Pensacola radio. He was at times outspoken, always “telling it like it is”. He often said: ” I try to tell it like anyone listening would, given the opportunity to sit behind the mic.”

White said: “I grew up with a radio under my pillow so I guess it was in my blood early. To have worked most of my career in the town where I grew up is really unusual. I have always been grateful for that. I felt like it gave me an edge. Common sense, versatility, doing my homework and going on the air prepared have been the key to staying around as long as I have. You can’t take yourself too seriously. It’s just a radio show. The folks here have been really good to me and my family and for that I will always be extremely grateful. Now it’s time to enjoy life while I am still young enough to do that. I plan to do some fishing, hunting, play a little golf and get some things done around the house. Thanks for listening. I appreciate it.”

Pictured top and bottom: Longtime radio host Marty White on 102.7 WXBM.  NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

24 Responses to “Radio Icon Marty White Retiring”

  1. Terry James on May 8th, 2017 9:54 am

    Marty hate to see you go. You made my morning worth while for yrs
    Now I’m lost.
    Terry james.

  2. Jeremiah Minahan on May 7th, 2015 2:00 pm

    Congratulations. Enjoy the retirement. I was Coast Guard, College on the G.I. Bill, and then 20 years with the State of Florida. Now, gardening, hunting, fishing, American Legion and spending time with the wife.

  3. boxcar on April 18th, 2015 9:04 am

    Have a spot for you at noon at Marcus Point on Wed.

  4. Sam on April 10th, 2015 7:21 pm

    I remember when Marty came to WXBM, replacing Robert Michael Greene. Linda L. said “we’re gonna have some real fun now!” So it has been! Thanks for all the laughs and your love of this area. A true icon is retiring and deservedly so. “NASH” form radio is tasteless and predictable. We will miss you Marty.

  5. lynn hahn on April 10th, 2015 6:44 pm

    Marty ive enjoyed listening to you for many years now. You will be so missed. Thanks for keeping it clean. Hugs to you.

  6. Arry Orkins on April 10th, 2015 11:17 am

    YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! RETIRED?
    Cumulus Media did not become so big so quick by continuing to shoot penicillin into a sick and dying cow. When an asset becomes a liability, you cut it lose!

  7. Betty on April 10th, 2015 5:34 am

    Saw this coming when his morning show ended…I have missed his morning show so much. After 20 years of waking up with Marty I wish him a happy and well deserved retirement. Best wishes for a healthy and happy life.

  8. Long time listener on April 9th, 2015 9:54 pm

    Marty you will be missed. Linda & Marty were good but so is Lindsey & Marty.
    Enjoy your new adventure, you deserve it!

  9. Vicki Davis Sharp on April 9th, 2015 7:05 pm

    Congrats Marty. I still remember you and your guitar in elementary school and on to Tate High with your talent. Wishing you the very best

  10. Derrick Benton on April 9th, 2015 6:12 pm

    Been listening to you for a long time from the woods while logging they will never be another like you see ya at the derby if you catch to many fish just bring them to the house after you clean them of course enjoy the good life ol buddy

  11. troubled on April 9th, 2015 5:21 pm

    I have listened for about 18 years you and Linda L. were the best. I now will be switching to cat. country as nash is not any good. Only kept it on for you. ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR TIME.

  12. haley on April 9th, 2015 2:21 pm

    Congrats Marty. Enjoy your retirement. I have know Marty White for about 43 years as we attended Tate HS together. He has always been a standup guy. I know he will be missed…..

  13. Al Slay on April 9th, 2015 2:08 pm

    I just met Marty a couple of years ago at the snow ball derby and i made it a point to introduce myself and become a friend of his. I had been listining to Marty for a long time but wanted to meet him face to face. Marty you will truley be missed. Hope i get to see you at this years derby or on the river somewhere. I guess i will have to turn my radio on to 95 ksj. Good luck my friend!! Nash has not been the same and will not be.

  14. SCOTT on April 9th, 2015 1:44 pm

    Congrats Marty, I’ve listen to you for 30 yrs. Good luck have fun.

    Marty, you hung in there like A hair in a biscuit. LOL

    Can’t retire you will go crazy like a cricket in a hubcap.

  15. Longtimelistener on April 9th, 2015 12:43 pm

    Mr. Reality, all you had to do was change the station!!!!! And by the way, no one wants to read your comments!

    GOOD LUCK MARTY! I’ve always loved listening to you. Especially you and Linda Lawrence. I wish you all the best!!!!!!

  16. "Ace" on April 9th, 2015 12:29 pm

    Enjoy….Marty…It’s that time, enjoy the rest of the good life….”Ace”

  17. Mr. Reality on April 9th, 2015 11:36 am

    THANK YOU GOD!! I get so tired of hearing his voice…

  18. Trish on April 9th, 2015 10:36 am

    How about the great Marty and Luke, may be telling my age but I loved the duo.

  19. xpeecee on April 9th, 2015 8:53 am

    :) :) :) :) :)

  20. TCrockett on April 9th, 2015 8:04 am

    I’m so Happy for you Marty but you will be missed. Enjoy your retirement !

  21. yourbiggestfan on April 9th, 2015 8:01 am

    Not just a radio host………a legend!!!!! Nothing else to say!!!!!

  22. Mike & Deneen Brazel on April 9th, 2015 5:26 am

    We will miss you Marty..Haven’t listened to 102.7 in some time..Miss the Marty & Linda show in the morning. Got allot of laughs from the 2 of you. We wish you the best in your retirement

  23. Gman on April 9th, 2015 4:55 am

    We have appreciated you Marty. Guess Ill have to switch over to Cat Country.

  24. blues on April 9th, 2015 2:39 am

    Congraulation, let us know where the fish are bitting.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News