VA Radio: Larry Dowdy, Longtime Host Retires From WLNI

Larry Dowdy

After 47-years, Larry Dowdy is retiring from News/Talk WLNI 105.7 FM, in Lynchburg, where he has spent the past five years doing a morning news talk show. Hear the broadcast at wlni.com, but don’t expect a big to-do during his 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. slot, “The Morning Line with Larry Dowdy & Kenny Shelton.”

“I’m not a big person on goodbyes,” Dowdy, 63, said. “I’m like till the last day, let’s keep the show as close to what we normally do as possible. I probably will mention it, just after we come on the air at 6, and I definitely will mention it like the last 5 minutes of the show, just to thank the listeners.

According to roanoke.com, listeners has risen to hear Dowdy on the air in a variety of Roanoke-based settings, including the old WROV-AM, K92 (WXLK-FM, 92.3), Star Country (WSLC-FM, 94.9) and Sunny FM, even TV for a few years on television on WDBJ (Channel 7).

Dowdy said he didn’t have a specific reason for leaving, but he looks forward to spending more time with his wife of 31 years, Glenna.

“I’ve always felt guilty about how time-consuming this job is,” he said. “Typically I’m up at 1:45 [a.m.]. Out the door by 3. In the building by 4, sometimes earlier. You’re looking for soundbites. You’re looking for things. People don’t realize the show prep, doing your homework, that goes into doing something like this.”