Voice Behind The Maps

Photo: Collie White

Photo: Collie White

If you're in the Capital Region you recently started hearing a new voice behind the maps of your morning traffic report on YNN. John Gabriel is our new Traffic Reporter and he is such a wonderful, cheerful addition to our morning show. He is such a sweet guy! He carries on our strong tradition of reporting about area roadways that Vince Gallagher has provided for years. My friend Vinny has moved into full time reporting at YNN in a field he is very passionate about- Entertainment. I know he is going to be amazing at breaking entertainment news.

Photo: Collie White

John can be heard during both the morning and afternoon drive on YNN-Albany. He will be telling you all the traffic backups and how to get around them. When he's not at the TV station you can hear him on Magic 590AM. Monday through Friday he hosts the "Class Reunion Hour" from 9 until 10am. He's back on from 12 noon until 2pm with "The Magic Lunch Break". If you hear him on air you can just hear the joy in his voice. He is always smiling and it is evident he loves what he's doing.

John tells me: I love my grand kids. We have 6 boys and 1 girl. (his newest grand baby was born yesterday!) The oldest is 9. They are all very special to me.

I asked him for some voice tips, because he has a great voice- and he cracked me up with his humorous response:  Voice tips: Whiskey and cigarettes..LOL. There is some truth to that, but I've quit doing both. Too expensive and bad for your health.

Why tv after all these years?
After 43 years on local radio, TV is a new medium for me. I was doing traffic reports for Latham based Albany Broadcasting. Stations included FLY-92, and B-95.5. I then got the call from YNN, and I believe it to be the luckiest break in my career.

We are lucky to have him and his experience!

Check out my interview with John.