Macon Music at WIBB with Mama Mia & Honey Bee
Beginning in legendary venues, recording studios and the music spilling into the streets, Macon, Georgia has been making music history for a century. That history was made over the airwaves as well!
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/Screen-Shot-2024-01-03-at-9.46.32-AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=a444a5ad3e6f73ccdc81ca54148dcc97 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/Screen-Shot-2024-01-03-at-9.46.32-AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=69d9be356c77342b1d9a50f3881ebcad 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/Screen-Shot-2024-01-03-at-9.46.32-AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=c6e66f31f9da8c7cc8a0aaf0f728cd3a 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/Screen-Shot-2024-01-03-at-9.46.32-AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=876a52b273d0790a02f355d4c0258547 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/Screen-Shot-2024-01-03-at-9.46.32-AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=69db804fe2fd1f2bc9ba3eaf6013e76b 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/blogs/Screen-Shot-2024-01-03-at-9.46.32-AM.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=337dc687a7536af798cfe0c12ba2c3b6 1428w)
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=adb041108a0bdfda120c45315522828f 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=f13bc7ca130067ef843d3fa03e3d3eb8 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=d97e043c2948a8d8f7ec948c348d6ce0 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=5e4395051f0910381bcb03a37373f39a 791w)
WIBB call letters hold a rich and storied history that dates back to its founding in 1929. Established by J.B. Fuqua, the station quickly became a prominent voice in the region, serving as a cultural hub and source of entertainment for the local community.
Throughout the decades, WIBB played a pivotal role in shaping the musical landscape of Macon, contributing significantly to the rise of rhythm and blues and gospel music. Notably, the station became a launching pad for the careers of influential artists such as Little Richard and James Brown, both of whom had their early recordings played on WIBB (like Brown's "Please, Please, Please!") The station's commitment to showcasing African American musical talent during a time of segregation made it a trailblazer in the industry.
Over the years, WIBB has continued to evolve, adapting to changes in the radio landscape while maintaining its status as a cultural institution in Macon, preserving the legacy of its significant contributions to the world of music and entertainment. From iconic radio hosts like Honey Bee, to the torch still carried today by Shirley "Mama Mia" Ellis. Come experience the legacy and have a listen!