Benztown Releases Free Art Laboe Radio Specials

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Benztown

Benztown releases two radio specials honoring the life and career of radio giant Art Laboe, who died at his home in Palm Springs, CA, on Friday, October 7 at age 97. Hosted by Sunday Night Slow Jams' R Dub!, a longtime friend and colleague of his mentor Laboe, a two-hour special is available free to stations for airing tonight or any night this week, and a four-hour special is available free to stations for Sunday broadcast. Both specials will include Throwback music from Laboe's show, memories and stories from Laboe's listeners when R Dub! opens the phones, as well as clips from his 2019 radio interview with Laboe about his career and life.

Both the two-hour and four-hour Art Laboe radio specials are available for download now. Interested stations should contact Mark Wilson, VP Affiliate Relations, Sunday Night Slow Jams, at mw@benztown.com for more information and to download the specials.

R Dub! first worked with Laboe in 1996 when Laboe bought the radio station R Dub! was working for KOHT-FM in Tucson, then as his Program Director at KHHT-FM in Los Angeles in 2007, and since 2011 as PD of XHRM-FM in San Diego.

R Dub! recalled, "Art was more than a DJ - he was 100% 'family' to all of his listeners. He was like the favorite uncle, grandfather, or Godfather you'd love to see every Sunday at family dinner. It's going to be tough not getting together with him every week. He was an incredible inspiration to me and to so many others who loved and admired him and learned so much from him."

R Dub! noted, "What made Art so special was the fact he was able to entertain so many generations. Up until the end, he had loyal listeners in their 80s and 90s, and at the very same time, 13- and 14-year-old kids who wouldn't miss a show. There aren't many (if any) radio personalities that have been able to transcend and speak to so many generations simultaneously."

He added: "Art was synonymous with good times, amazing oldies, special dedications, and those good night kisses over the airwaves. He endured nearly eight decades of change while consistently staying true to himself and his fans and that's just one of the million reasons he was so loved and adored by his fans."