Labbe named Radio Personality of the Year in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM – With 53 years in broadcasting, including the last 35 years as host of the weekly program ‘Reelin’ In The Years’ on WLRH-FM, and the long-standing sports reporter for the Madison Record, Bob Labbe has been named the Large-Market Radio Personality of the Year in Alabama by the Alabama Broadcasters Association at the organization’s 20th annual Abby Awards.

The 72-year old Labbe hosts his four-hour, live program each Friday night from 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. on WLRH 89.3 FM where he plays oldies music utilizing his own personal 45 rpm vinyl record collection, which totals over 20-thousand original records from the 1950’s-1990’s. The “old-style” program features interviews with some of the biggest artists in music history, superior prizes for listeners and the fun facts of the artists and music of the era of the 45 rpm record.

“I am totally shocked for winning this award as I’ve been in the business a long time where I’ve won awards for my work in television on Channel 31 and the numerous awards for my writing over three decades as a newspa- per writer, but this award means the most,” said Labbe, during his acceptance speech at the awards ceremony held at The Club in Birmingham. Labbe’s individual award was one of five WLRH-Public Radio was awarded during the 20th annual event. “I used to play radio in my room as a kid and always wanted to be a disc jockey. WLRH has given me the opportunity to do what I’ve dreamed of doing.”