Labbe inducted into Broadcasters Hall of Fame
HUNTSVILLE – What a banner year 2026 has been for Bob Labbe. The longtime media personality in Huntsville for 54 years and multi award-winning writer for the Madison Record and other publications, has added two broadcasting awards to his already slew of honors.
Earlier this year, Labbe was named “Radio Personality of the Year in Alabama” by the Alabama Broadcasters Association (ABA). Last week, at a ceremony held at The Belle at Stovehouse in Huntsville before a large crowd of friends, family and fel- low broadcasters, Labbe was one of three legendary broadcasters inducted to the ABA Hall of Fame as part of the ABA’s 80th Anniversary celebration.
“I’m still in shock over the induction as I was surprised to say the least when I was informed about the placement into the Hall of Fame,” said Labbe, soon to be 73 years old. “I began in broadcasting straight out of high school in 1972 and I’m proud to say I’ve been in the broadcast media continuously since that time including radio and television.”
Joining Labbe in the latest class of Hall of Fame members were longtime local TV news anchor and reporter Liz Hurley of WAFF, Channel 48, and the late John Malone, who made his mark in TV and radio, as well as, radio station owner of WYTM-FM in nearby Fayetteville, Tenn.
Labbe began his broadcasting history for radio station WAHR-FM where he was an on-air announcer/disc jockey for one year. In September, 1973, he moved to WAAY radio at 1550 on the AM dial before, in 1974, he moved across town to AM 1000, WVOV where he again was an on-air personality and also the station’s music director. Just before the end of the year he moved back to WAAY.
Television came into play in the late seventies when he auditioned for and was immediately hired to anchor sports at WAAY-TV, Channel 31 while still working at the WAAY radio station. In the mid 1980’s he was elevated to Sports Director and remained in that position until early 1991 when he exited the TV business. Before leaving Channel 31, he began hosting a weekly music radio program on WLRH-FM, Reelin’ In The Years, where he remains today and will celebrate the 36th anniversary of that four-hour live program next month.
After moving out of TV, he was also courted by management of WVNN radio in Athens to host a daily sports talk program the same time the now famed Sean Hannity hosted his own talk program. Labbe held that position for several months all awhile attending Athens State University where he graduated in 1995 with a BS in Business Administration. Labbe also worked numerous jobs before officially retiring in June 2025 from a position he held on Redstone Arsenal for 15 years. In all of his endeavors, in 1995 he also became a writer for numerous publications including the Huntsville Times and the Madison Record where he has been awarded numerous state awards for his excellence in writing.
The most recent Hall of Fame induction is not his first such a distinction. In 2014, Labbe was inducted to the Huntsville- Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
“I have had an unbelievable career in all areas of media, including doing television commercials for several years, but my favorite has to be radio as early as a small boy growing up in Huntsville I always wanted to be disc jockey and play the music for others to hear,” said Labbe. “My current program on WLRH is what I dreamed of as I play my own personal 45 rpm record collection and conduct interviews with some of the biggest names in rock and roll history. It actually blows me away to know the list of superstars of music I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with and having on my weekly program. I’m also proud to say I am a volunteer host/producer at WLRH.”
Regarded as one of the most recognizable media personalities in the history of the Tennessee Valley, Labbe said he was most gracious for his latest honor. He added, “I have had many people who have helped me through the years and I will never forget their kindness. Those include many employers who allowed me to remain in broadcasting. Today, not only am I hosting my radio program, continue my writing for the Madison Record and about to enter my 34th season as a high school basketball referee, I’m currently working a lot in television shows, movies and TV commercials in both Nashville and Birmingham.”
The ABA celebrated its milestone by hosting similar events at other locales across Alabama making stops in Mobile, Dothan, Montgomery, Auburn/Opelika, Tuscaloosa, Florence and Scottsboro with one additional stop in Birmingham next month.
“I love the broadcasting business and to stand beside so many great broadcasters who are in the ABA Hall of Fame is easily one of the highlights of my career and I am so humbled to be included with some of the great fellow broadcasters in Alabama,” added Labbe.
