Bobby C. Hanson, known to radio listeners in Georgia as “Ludlow Porch,” died Friday (2/11) following a series of strokes. The former WSB-AM Atlanta host was 76.
According to his official obituary, Ludlow Porch was discovered not by radio, but by Sports Illustrated magazine, which interviewed him for an article about trivia experts. Someone at WRNG-AM “Ring Radio” Atlanta was intrigued by the article and invited the local man to go on the air for a week. “I came for a week and never left,” Porch said. His popular radio show ran for over two decades, first on ’RNG (now WCNN) and then on Southern blowtorch WSB.
In recent years long-time producer Denny Ainsworth has continued the Southern humor tradition via the FunSeekers Radio Network, with some occasional input from Porch. As you would expect, Friday’s show was wall-to-wall tributes to Ludlow Porch from his fans, who proudly call themselves the “Whacko Family.”
“Whatever else you do today, find somebody to be nice to,” said Ainsworth at the end of Friday’s show, repeating Porch’s trademark sign-off.
Ludlow Porch was inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
A memorial service is set for Saturday, February 19th at Big Canoe Chapel, north of Atlanta between Jasper, GA and Dawsonville, where Porch had lived in recent years. A reception will follow in the Broyles Community Center.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 121 S. Saint Asaph St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or to the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, P. O. Box 5313, St. Mary’s, Georgia 31558.
