2020 ABBY Awards

Broadcast professionals from across Alabama attended the thirteenth annual Alabama Broadcasters Association’s “Best in Broadcasting Awards”, otherwise known as the ABBYs, on Saturday, March 7th at The Club in Birmingham.

WXFL-FM, Muscle Shoals was named 2020 RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR, and WHNT-TV, Huntsville received the 2020 TV Station of the Year honor.

The following awards are listed in the order they were presented. These awards were given in recognition of work that was broadcast in 2019.

Public Service Announcement
“Together for Alabama”
WBRC-TV
https://vimeo.com/321367160
Josh Morey
Birmingham

Small Market PSA
“Warm Wishes”
WQSB-FM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95KN6sJDkQA
Barry Galloway
Albertville

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Medium Market PSA
“Make a Difference Minute: Child Trafficking Solutions”
WLXA-FM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ulpd0sdmneo763r/12-14-19%20MADM%20Child%20Trafficking%20Solutions%20Project%20%282%29.mp3?dl=0
Mark White
Florence

Medium Market PSA
“Fursday with Kate on 94.1ZBQ”
WZBQ-FM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/97bg9ok05ks3r36/ZBQ_Tuscaloosa_FURSday_PSA_Full%20Audio.mp3?dl=0
Kate
Tuscaloosa

Large Market PSA
“Alabama Coastal Foundation”
WAVH-FM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6gb0ry2kodus4zt/WAVH-FM%20PSA%20AL%20Coastal%20Foundation.mp3?dl=0
Charlie Moss
Mobile

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Station Promotion

“Apollo 11 Trailer”
WZDX-TV
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/136PXIClK8MbEmCH9lACbAeyvMxmaFPn1
Dean Jones, Luke Kennamer, Mike Black
Huntsville

Station Promotion
“70th Year Campaign”
WVTM 13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68FuOKxcKVw&feature=youtu.be
Nate Todd, Danielle Johnson, Ben Bryson, James Rasco
Birmingham

Event or Client Promotion
“Jackson Hospital: Local Heroes Campaign”
WCOV-TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwbxklQ0Yug&feature=youtu.be
Paul McTear, Ryan Torregano, Kaytie Simpson
Montgomery

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Small Market Station Promotion
“Jingle Bell Rock”
WWIC-AM
http://www.wwicradio.com/jingle-bell-rock.html
Greg Bell, Angie Bell
Scottsboro

Small Market Station Promotion
“Hydrofest”
WQSB-FM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8lxFfQrJEA
Barry Galloway
Albertville

Small Market Event or Client Promotion
“Bruce’s Foodland: Wiener an Hour”
WKEA-FM
https://soundcloud.com/jenna-sue-payne/joe-jenna-sue-wiener-an-hour
Jenna Payne, Joe Sims
Scottsboro

Medium Market Station Promotion
“WQLT Invites You to Shop Local”
WQLT-FM
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZztO5kFI-vJgn2-l_tiP2n7Q2TaLcFV8/view
Nick Martin, Nina Jackson
Muscle Shoals

Medium Market Event or Client Promotion
“Iron Pong Tournament”
WHHY-FM
https://soundcloud.com/rick-hendrick/iron-pong-tournament-promo
Rick Hendrick, Marvin Kopman, Jay Rio
Montgomery

Large Market Station Promotion
“May Trippin’”
WDRM-FM
https://soundcloud.com/deano-onair/maytrippingmixdownabbysubmission
Erich West, Deano Chaple
Huntsville

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Large Market Event or Client Promotion
“Wine on the River with Junior League of Mobile”
WKSJ-FM
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/157VJp9hBtMOccjyzUqZwZvcLcplMQ5Nn
Rebecca Arbour, Ronnie Bloodworth
Mobile

Large Market Event or Client Promotion
“102.5 The Bull Tailgate Party”
WDXB-FM
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e5ritvndgo7rh0f/102.5%20The%20Bull%20Tailgate%20Pre-Party.mp4?dl=0
Melissa Dikau, Tom Hanrahan
Birmingham

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Commercial
“Summit Homes”
Alabama News Network
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBK8y6IJ7uI
Jeff Foster
Montgomery

Commercial
“Jack Ingram Mercedes: Love What You Drive”
WCOV-TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWkGWDUzRZ8&feature=youtu.be
Paul McTear, Ryan Torregano, Kaytie Simpson
Montgomery

Small Market Commercial
“Zoner’s Pizza and Wings”
WKKR-FM
https://www.spreaker.com/user/9809020/zoners-ad-guys-v2-mixed-10232019
Van Riggs, Donny Blankenship
Auburn/Opelika

Medium Market Commercial
“Perfectly Powerful Peanut”
WOOF-FM
http://www.mediafire.com/file/izo4rvkrf0ob6wu/R1_-_COMMERCIALS_-_AL_PEANUT_PRODUCERS_-_ANNA.mp3/file
Gary Gibson, Amy Dee, Anna
Dothan

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Large Market Commercial
“Letters to Santa”
WDJC-FM
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1guqN-ZHDgrfwcknFhTxLSxvam1AagzWW/view
Shelby Owens
Birmingham

Large Market Commercial
“Bob Wallace Appliance”
WRSA-FM
https://soundcloud.com/trafficnate/bob-wallace-appliance-september-2019-grills
Paul Peterson
Huntsville

Website
cbs42.com
WIAT-TV
https://www.cbs42.com/
Emma Simmons, Rob Martin
Birmingham

Small Market Website
weisradio.com
WEIS-AM/FM
http://www.weisradio.com
Johnny Allen, Joey Weaver, Andrew Hughes
Centre

Medium Market Website
Kix96country.com
WXFL-FM
https://youtu.be/_D5KJ2Jt-fo

http://www.kix96country.com
Halley Phillips, Fletch Brown
Muscle Shoals

Large Market Website
Myv949.com
WATV-AM/FM
http://www.myv949.com
Chris Coleman, Jerome Crumpton, Kenosha Shaw
Birmingham

Social Media
WBMA-TV
https://www.facebook.com/abc3340/posts/10158149262526178

https://www.facebook.com/abc3340/posts/2038262983140361
https://www.facebook.com/abc3340/posts/10157570843661178
https://www.facebook.com/abc3340/posts/10157375162231178
ABC 33/40 Team
Birmingham

Small Market Social Media
WKGA-FM
http://www.wkga975.com

http://www.facebook.com/kowaligacountry
http://twitter.com/Kowaliga975
http://www.instagram.com/kowaliga975/
Robert Grantham, John Kennedy, Lindsey Blankenship
Alexander City

Medium Market Social Media
Mix 102.9 Facebook
WKXX-FM
https://www.facebook.com/AlabamasMIX1029/photos/a.10151719520337582/10156991089787582/?type=3
David Murray
Gadsden

Large Market Social Media
WDRM-FM
https://www.facebook.com/1021wdrm/

https://www.instagram.com/wdrmradio/
Mason Black, Erich West, Deano Chaple
Huntsville

App
WVTM 13
(No Link)
WVTM 13 News, Ben Cullpepper, Elizabeth Prichett
Birmingham

Small Market App
RadioAlabama Sports App
WYEA-AM
https://vimeo.com/386126719/de62c4154e
Michael Brannon, Jeremy Law, Noah Gardner
Sylacauga

Medium Market App
WQLT-FM
https://youtu.be/aXd4VmJ5DAs
Halley Phillips, Chip Valentine
Muscle Shoals

Large Market App
WLRH-FM/HD
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.publicmediaapps.wlrh

https://apps.apple.com/app/id1479489320
Rebecca Goodwin, Staff of WLRH
Huntsville

Podcast
“Behind the Front: Tornado Alley Icon”
WBRC-TV
https://youtu.be/6QsBOMHKRVg
JP Dice, Challis Wells
Birmingham

Small Market Podcast
“High Five to the Face”
WFXO-FM
https://vimeo.com/385567499/a404bd6796
Jeremy Law, Michael Brannon
Sylacauga

Medium Market Podcast
“Mayor’s Minute”
WQLT-FM
https://soundcloud.com/halley-phillips/the-mayors-minute-podcast-abby-2019-submission
Nick Martin, Nina Jackson, Chip Valentine
Muscle Shoals

Large Market Podcast
“Southern Disgrace”
WMJJ-FM
https://wercfm.iheart.com/content/2020-01-17-southern-disgrace/
Ellen Chandler, Madison Reeves, Hilary Mills
Birmingham

Local Sports Program
“Road to the Title”
WVTM 13
https://youtu.be/3LHouNBHSH0
WVTM13 News, Don Hawes, Kyle Burger
Birmingham

Small Market Sports Show/Sports Talk Show
“The Lunch Break”
WGZZ-FM
http://espnau.com/the-lunch-break-best-sports-show/
Painter Sharpless, Justin Ferguson
Auburn

Medium Market Sports Show/Sports Talk Show
“The Game with Ryan Fowler”
WTUG-HD2
https://soundcloud.com/user-566747223/the-game-with-ryan-fowler-2020-abby-entry
Ryan Fowler, Jacob Harrison, Thomas Paradiso
Tuscaloosa

Large Market Sports Show/Sports Talk Show
“Chelsea Hornets Coaches Show”
Kool 96.9 FM
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pux_WkSD85k7YBzTeRjdmCUNUv1eqc7g/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A3Fo8MRthTN_FS2wbZVB0UzUJo-8Ojwb/view?usp=sharing
Donna Bowles, David Brady
Chelsea

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Feature
“Faith and Fish”
WAFF 48
https://youtu.be/yPWn8leLi0E
Carl Prather, Dion Hose, Patrick Akers
Huntsville

Feature
Remembering the Deadly ’89 Tornado”
WAAY-TV
https://youtu.be/GibBAqInyK4
Pat Simon
Huntsville

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Franchise
“School Patrol”
ABC 33/40
https://youtu.be/_GMlr1dBg78
Wendell Edwards, Bill Castle
Birmingham

Franchise
“The Story with Jerry Hayes”
WHNT NEWS 19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb3OI1ZvLF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMRwkYzWH_A&feature=youtu.be
Jerry Hayes, Witt Black, Vanessa Burch
Huntsville

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Small Market Sportscaster
Adam Ward
WAFN-FM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGM1O9G8KiU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlo7tgN1Bk8
Arab

Small Market Sportscaster
Aidan Kowalski
WEGL 91.1 FM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r54fwHbPeKM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKXotbtq8qo
Auburn

Medium Market Sportscaster
Jordan Campbell
WSBM-AM/FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-47877362/2019-sportscaster-of-the-year-submission-jordan-campbell
Muscle Shoals

Large Market Sportscaster
JD Byars
WRKH-FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-515729523/jd-byars-2019-abby-sportscaster-submission
Mobile

Sports Reporting
“Chris Stewart”
ABC 33/40
https://youtu.be/FaWjw5jBiks
Jeff Speegle, Scott Forester
Birmingham

Sports Anchor
Drew Carter
WIAT-TV
https://youtu.be/VMWp4bkGFq0

https://youtu.be/RIZ-PraMn58
Birmingham

Small Market Reporter
Hannah Campbell
WQAH-FM
https://anchor.fm/hannah-campbell23/episodes/Big-Country-105-7–Hannah-Campbell-live-community-calendar-update-and-traffic-report-ea4fkb
Hartselle

Medium Market Reporter
Don Hartley
WFFN-FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-566747223/donald-hartley-abby-submission
Tuscaloosa

Large Market Reporter
Angie Norvell
NewsRadio 105.5 WERC
https://wercfm.iheart.com/content/2020-01-03-news-reporter-angie-norvelle/
Birmingham

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Reporter
Rachael Wilkerson
WPMI-TV
http://youtu.be/garYkyfQVMQ
Mobile

Reporter
Chelsea Brentzel
WHNT NEWS 19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC1zh8T_9jI&feature=youtu.be
Huntsville

Photojournalist
Bill Castle
ABC 33/40
https://youtu.be/X0hJTb7iz-A
Birmingham

Public Affairs
“Black History”
WVTM 13
https://youtu.be/tkfsZtcsLBs
WVTM 13 News, Robyn Sirmans
Birmingham

Small Market Public Affairs
“Celebrate Recovery”
WQAH-FM
https://anchor.fm/hannah-campbell23/episodes/Big-Country-105-7–Reporter-Hannah-Campbell–Celebrate-Recovery-Interview-e63449
Hannah Campbell
Hartselle

Medium Market Public Affairs
“Selling Kids: Human Trafficking in Alabama”
WUAL-FM
https://www.apr.org/post/best-public-affairs-selling-kids-human-trafficking-alabama-alabama-public-radio
Pat Duggins, Stan Ingold, Tina Turner
Tuscaloosa

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Large Market Public Affairs
“How Integration at NASA Helped Mankind Reach the Moon”
WLRH-FM/HD
http://wlrh.org/News/abbys-2020-r12-public-affairs-program-one-giant-leap

http://wlrh.org/News/abbys-2020-r12-one-giant-leap-snippet
Brett Tannehill, Brian Odom, WLRH Community Newsroom
Huntsville

Large Market Public Affairs
The Big Q: “Youth and Race”
WBHM-FM
https://wbhm.org/feature/2019/highlights-big-q-youth-race/
Janae Pierre, Andrew Yeager
Birmingham

Documentary
“The People of Apollo”
WAFF 48
https://youtu.be/EPzMQf6x4c0
Liz Hurley, Derek McClanahan, William McLain
Huntsville

Weather Anchor
Amanda Curran
WSFA 12 News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OHigaEQW0U&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxI7uIfMGP4&feature=youtu.be
Montgomery

Small Market Personality or Team
“The Chris Wright Show”
WFXO-FM
https://soundcloud.com/radioalabama/2020-wfxo-r14-radio-morning-show-the-chris-wright-show/s-lXBEU
Chris Wright
Sylacauga

Medium Market Personality or Team
M. Fletcher Brown
WXFL-FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-568815789/fletch-2019-2020-ms2mr-edit
Muscle Shoals

Large Market Personality or Team
“Rocket 95.1 Afternoons with Shea Fox”
WRTT-FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-832805221/shea-fox-afternoons-wrtt
Shea Fox
Huntsville

General Assignment
“Nasty Note Rallies Community”
WIAT-TV
https://youtu.be/O1cywlJsqG8

https://youtu.be/NbKEUV6VGcI
Robert Sherman
Birmingham

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Investigative Reporting
“Sounding the Alarm on Volunteer Fire Funding”
WAFF 48
https://youtu.be/FEH0EkKf4Qg
Chris Joseph
Huntsville

Investigative Reporting
“What’s in the Water?”
WHNT NEWS 19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_PQ680l1MQ&feature=youtu.be
Chelsea Brentzel, Brian Lawson
Huntsville

Hard News
“Montgomery Mayor’s Race Wrap”
WSFA 12 News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MddwW77-nhU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQiFyRzayHA&feature=youtu.be
WSFA 12 News Team
Montgomery

Breaking News: Severe Weather
“Troy Tornado”
WSFA 12 News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jEvnM7t0l8&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4zh6Id9a1w&feature=youtu.be
WSFA 12 News Team
Montgomery

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Breaking News
“NAS Pensacola Terror Attack”
WALA-TV
https://youtu.be/G4Dz0KZTuIE
Staff
Mobile

Breaking News
“Officer Stafford Shooting”
WBRC-TV
https://youtu.be/u-CVCC-JYH0
WBRC Staff
Birmingham

Small Market Talk Show
“Auburn/Opelika This Morning with Zac Blackerby”
WANI-AM/FM
http://newstalkwani.com/auburn-opelika-this-morning-best-talk-show/
Zac Blackerby, Brett Smith
Auburn/Opelika

Medium Market Talk Show
“Perspectives by Robb Taylor”
WVAS-FM
https://youtu.be/08NvhSKFTCs
Robb Taylor, Melanie Hogan
Montgomery

Large Market Talk Show
“Newsmakers Weigh In”
WBHP-AM
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/21828021

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/21828040
Toni Lowry, Corey Moss
Huntsville

Small Market Morning Show
“The WQSB Morning Show”
WQSB-FM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGn0UV5Q19I
Barry Galloway, Linda Conner
Albertville

Medium Market Morning Show
“Big Farley in the Morning”
WXFL-FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-498660027/abby-aircheck

https://youtu.be/VIGGoQJn8HE
Farley O’Connell
Muscle Shoals

Large Market Morning Show
“Lisa Mason in the Morning”
WBPT-FM
(no link)
Lisa Mason, Justin Ragland, Mike McKenzie
Birmingham

Judges Award of Merit 2020
News Series
“Hunger”
WVTM 13
https://youtu.be/KPUjIweO4SE
WVTM13 News
Birmingham

News Series
“Hurricane Michael”
ABC 33/40
https://youtu.be/nptvdz1zMwE
Cynthia Gould, Stephen Quinn, Sam Griswold
Birmingham

Local Programming
“Monograph”
Alabama Public Television
https://video.aptv.org/video/winter-2019-v8kkdk/
Kelsey Harrison, Lisa Cordes, Matthew Grcic

News Anchor
Ellis Eskew
Alabama News Network
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Xb0UYKSpI
Montgomery

Small Market Regularly Scheduled Newscast
“Auburn/Opelika This Morning with Zac Blackerby”
WANI-AM/FM
http://newstalkwani.com/auburn-opelika-this-morning-best-newscast-entry/
Zac Blackerby
Auburn/Opelika

Medium Market Regularly Scheduled Newscast
“WOOF-FM News”
WOOF-FM
http://www.mediafire.com/file/iftwqfzempa0cg6/R13__-REGULARLY_SCHEDULED_NEWSCAST_-_WOOF_FM_DEBORAH_PEARSON.mp3

https://youtu.be/1m1IeQDtZZw
Deborah Pearson
Dothan

Large Market Regularly Scheduled Newscast
“Regularly Scheduled Newscast: Leah Brandon”
NewsRadio 105.5 WERC
https://wercfm.iheart.com/content/2020-01-09-2020-best-regularly-scheduled-newscast-leah-brandon/
Birmingham

Regularly Scheduled Newscast
“NBC 15 News at 10”
WPMI-TV
http://youtu.be/g6mB61CVpvM
Andrea Ramey, Cayla Coker, Thomas Gleaton
Mobile

Alabama’s Bicentennial
“The Stories of Our People”
WBRC-TV
https://youtu.be/Xr9pMimEeyM
Janet Hall, Steve Crocker, David E. Kelley
Birmingham

Judges Award of Merit 2020
Alabama’s Bicentennial
“Birmingham’s Big Bicentennial Boom”
NewsRadio 105.5 WERC
https://wercfm.iheart.com/content/2020-01-16-alabamas-bicentennial-on-werc/
John Mountz
Birmingham

Alabama’s Bicentennial
“Sloss Furnace Marks Alabama’s Bicentennial with the Children’s Bell”
WBHM-FM
https://wbhm.org/feature/2019/sloss-furnaces-marks-alabamas-bicentennial-childrens-bell/

https://wbhm.org/feature/2019/comedian-roy-wood-jr-alabamas-perc/
Andrew Yeager, Janae Pierre
Birmingham

Service Project
“Project CommUNITY”
WVTM 13
https://youtu.be/96S4UvzlcG8
WVTM13 News
Birmingham

Radio Service Project
“2019 Blount County Education Foundation Radiothon”
WCRL-AM/FM
https://youtu.be/dSJkrVOR7t0
Robbie McAlpine
Oneonta

TV Station of the Year
WHNT-TV
https://youtu.be/H2Lq3rmPW5c
Huntsville

Radio Station of the Year
WXFL-FM
https://soundcloud.com/user-568815789/wxfl-fm-2019-2020-ms2mr-edit
Muscle Shoals

The Alabama Broadcasters Association has served as the official voice of the broadcasting industry in Alabama since 1946. The organization is dedicated to protecting and enhancing broadcasting and promoting the professional status of members. The Association also provides programs and services beneficial to the individual broadcaster and to members as a group.