08/21/2026
SATURDAY!
JUST ANNOUNCED! We are incredibly honored to announce that legendary Cincinnati radio personality Jim LaBarbara – "The Music Professor" will be our special guest emcee for "Beatles '66: Crosley Field – 60th Anniversary" on Saturday, August 22nd at The Redmoor! We still have a few General Admission (Standing Room) tickets available. They can be ordered at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beatles-66-crosley-field-anniversary-show-featuring-haymarket-riot-tickets-1986747639672
Jim's passion for music began in childhood, inspired by films like Young Man with a Horn and a lifelong dream of playing the trumpet. He made his radio debut in 1959 at a station in Meadville, Pennsylvania, spinning the day's biggest hits while talking football with listeners. Along the way, he worked under several air names—including Jimmy Holiday in Pennsylvania and J. Bentley Starr in Erie—before eventually returning to his own name at WKYC in Cleveland and WIXY in Denver.
Jim's Cincinnati radio career began in 1969 when he joined WLW-AM, where he spent nearly 14 years, becoming a familiar voice during both the morning and afternoon drive. Throughout his distinguished career, he also entertained audiences on WCKY, WSAI, WKRC, WWEZ-FM, and WGRR-FM. His passion for broadcasting and music earned him a Master's Degree in Broadcast Management from the University of Cincinnati in 1977.
Recognized as one of the Top 40 Radio Personalities of All Time by Decalco Mania, Jim has also been inducted into both the Rock Jock Hall of Fame and the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. During his remarkable career, he has interviewed hundreds of legendary performers and rising stars, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and countless others.
Jim's memoir, Jim LaBarbara, The Music Professor: A Life Amplified Through Radio & Rock 'n' Roll, chronicles his extraordinary career while preserving the stories, voices, and history of the artists who helped define rock and roll. More than a broadcaster, Jim has become a living archive of American popular music.
Today, you can still hear "The Music Professor" entertaining listeners weekdays from 2:00–7:00 PM on WDJO Radio (1480 AM, 99.5 FM, and 107.9 FM), as well as streaming on iHeartRadio.
