"The Captain" - Herb Ivy
WBLM Morning Show

Born in London, England in 1963, Herb found himself in the middle of the heady, whirlwind birth years of Classic Rock. At six years old, he and his older brother used to keep track—by hand, and faithfully—of the weekly movement of artists and songs up and down the charts. That same year, Herb bought his first electric guitar. He had fallen in love with rock ’n roll.

Thirteen years later and now a student at University of Virginia, Herb took his first job on the air at the UVA campus radio station. He continued to follow this passion throughout school. In 1985, he took his first paying job in radio at 107.5 WBLM in Lewiston, Maine. The requisite, excruciating months of doing time on the overnight shift gave way to a successful (and less painful) slot hosting the Blimp’s "Night Flight". And after two years, he became the co-host of the WBLM morning show. Twenty years...a frequency change...multiple morning show partners...hair metal, power ballads, grunge, alternative rock—through it all, Herb Ivy—"The Captain"—maintained his post at Maine’s premiere rock morning show.

But the four-or-so hours per morning in which the world hears The Captain are only a small part of what Herb does in the course of a day, a week, a year. In 1992, 5 years into his tenure on the BLM Morning Show, he took on the responsibility of Program Director, the post he holds to this day. Under former (and founding) owners Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting, he became the company’s Vice President. In 1995, facing the inexorable tide of Alternative Rock sweeping the music world, Herb was instrumental in the launch of "Portland’s New Rock Alternative", WCYY. And in 2001, he championed the continuation of new acquisition 98.9 WCLZ’s AAA format—something he felt strongly was vital to the growth and nurture of local artists of all musical genres in Maine.

Fuller-Jeffrey was bought by Citadel Communications in 2000, and Herb remained a vital player. He was named a Citadel "Legend" in his very first year of employ by the new company, and in 2003 he was the Citadel Northeast PD of the year. In 2007 Herb was inducted into the Maine Association of Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame.

On the air you may hear the Captain as he coaxes a "winner" into a giant vat of B & M Baked Beans in order to find prizes submerged within...or as he orders a listener to crawl on their hands and knees across the Casco Bay Bridge in order to win concert tickets. Off-air, you would find Herb teaching and guest-lecturing in high schools and colleges throughout Maine. Or coaching athletics in his hometown of South Portland. Or at home helping to raise four kids. He is on the Board of Directors of the Portland Music Foundation, created to educate and inspire local musicians…. and he is still playing that first guitar he bought in 1969, although now in a home recording studio with his 3 kids.