Remembering Bernie Dittman

At the age of 79, Bernie Dittman died last week.

He left behind a relatives, friends, and the family business: WABB Radio.

In an internet age, Ipods, and digital whatever, it's hard to recall the time when WABB AM was a teenagers best friend. But growing up in the 1960's and 70's, the AM dial set to 1480 was all we had. It was all we needed. We supplied the tiny transistors in a box. Bernie supplied the broadcast.

He turned down millions to keep his business his. It is one of the only independent broadcasting stations left in the country. Thousands of radio announcers (we used to call them disc jockeys) passed through WABB over the years. Learning the craft from Bernie.

Two years ago It was my privledge to do the last newspaper interview with Mr. Dittman. When I questioned him about broadcasting, it's past and future, he beamed, a walking data base on radio. Bernie was sharp as a razor , could out play men half his age in tennis, and loved Mobile. But next to his family, his passion was radio.
At the end of our 2004 meeting he said, "Before you go Emmett, let me give you a tee-shirt." He presented me with a white shirt with big red letters, WABB rocks."

I've still got that shirt. But WABB is not all that rocks. You do too Bernie. Rest in Peace.