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.
