Latest Update: April 16, 2026 – Huntsville's beloved DJ takes home top radio honor The clock hits 9 p.m., and a warm, familiar voice fills the air on WLRH 89.3 FM. That voice belongs to Bob Labbe – the man locals call the Radio King. And today, April 16, 2026, the whole state is buzzing because Bob just won Large-Market Radio Personality of the Year at the Alabama Broadcasters Association's 20th annual Abby Awards in Birmingham.
This isn't just any award. After 53 years in broadcasting and 35 straight years hosting the exact same show, Bob stood on stage, totally shocked. "I am totally shocked," he told the crowd. He has won prizes for TV sports and newspaper stories before, but this one? It hits different. It feels like coming home.
If you love old-school music, vinyl records, or stories that feel like a warm hug from the past, keep reading. We're diving deep into Bob's world – the real stories, the vinyl magic, and yes, those five facts that make you go "wow." This is the full, latest scoop you can publish right on your site. No fluff, just real talk that keeps readers scrolling.
Bob Labbe's Big Win: What Happened This Week in Alabama Radio
On Monday night, April 13, 2026, the Alabama Broadcasters Association handed out the Abby Awards at The Club in Birmingham. WLRH Public Radio walked away with five honors total, but Bob's win stole the show. At 72 years old, he is proof that staying true to what you love still pays off big time.
Bob didn't chase fame across the country. He stayed right here in Huntsville – the place he calls home. Even when bigger gigs came knocking, he said no. Why? Because this is where his dream started. And now, thousands of listeners tune in every Friday night to hear him spin tunes from the 1950s to the 1990s. No streaming apps. No digital files. Just real records he pulls from his own shelves.
5 Shocking Facts About Radio King Bob Labbe That Will Amaze You
Everyone is talking about these details after his big award. Here they are, straight from the latest reports, explained in a way that even kids can picture.
Fact 1: He has been on the radio longer than most people have been alive Bob started his broadcasting journey right after high school. That was 53 years ago! He trained at places like Elkins Institute in Nashville and Columbia School of Broadcasting. He worked TV sports on Channel 31, wrote award-winning newspaper stories for the Madison Record, and even refereed high school basketball. But radio? That was always his first love.
Think about it: when Bob began, there were no smartphones or Spotify. Music came on records or the radio. He has seen it all change – yet he never changed his style. That kind of staying power is rare.
Fact 2: One show, one station, 35 years straight Since 1990, Bob has hosted Reelin' In The Years every single Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. That's four full hours of live radio, week after week, for 35 years. The first Friday in November 2025 marked the big 35th anniversary, and fans threw a party at the WLRH open house.
Most radio hosts switch shows or stations. Not Bob. He shows up, flips on the mic, and takes listeners on a trip through pop music history. No wonder the award committee called him a legend.
Fact 3: He owns more than 20,000 real vinyl records Bob doesn't use a computer playlist. Every song on his show comes from his personal collection of over 20,000 original 45-rpm records. These are the little black discs with one song on each side – the kind your grandparents danced to.
He keeps them safe at home and hauls them to the studio. Why? Because the sound is warmer, the memories are stronger, and it feels real. In 2026, when everyone streams music on phones, Bob is keeping the old ways alive. Kids today might never touch a record, but Bob makes sure they hear what made music magic.
Fact 4: He interviews music superstars – and they love chatting with him Over the years, Bob has sat down with huge names like Elton John, Olivia Newton-John, The Doobie Brothers, Vince Gill, and Lionel Richie. He doesn't just play their hits. He asks real questions and shares funny stories.
Fans still talk about Vince Gill opening up about joining The Eagles or Lionel Richie joking about a "near-miss with the commodes." These chats aren't scripted. They're like friends catching up on the air. That's why listeners feel so close to the show.
Fact 5: He is living his childhood dream every single week As a little boy, Bob used to pretend he was a disc jockey in his bedroom. He would talk into a pretend mic and play music for imaginary listeners. Now he does it for real – every Friday night.
In his acceptance speech, Bob said with a big smile, "I used to play the 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." That line gave everyone goosebumps. Dreams really do come true when you keep showing up.
Why Bob Labbe's Story Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Let's go deeper. What makes Bob special isn't just the award or the records. It's how he connects people.
Huntsville has changed a lot since Bob started. Rockets launch from nearby Redstone Arsenal, tech jobs boom, and families move in from everywhere. But on Friday nights, Bob brings everyone back together with music that feels like home. Grandparents sing along. Parents remember their first dates. Kids discover songs they never heard before.
Public radio like WLRH runs on listeners and donors, not ads. Bob volunteers his time as host and producer. He even throws in contests with cool prizes. Call (888) 330-8989 during the show and you might win tickets or goodies!
A Quick Trip Through Bob Labbe's Amazing Career
Bob grew up in Huntsville. After high school, he knew radio was it. He learned the craft, landed TV sports gigs, wrote sharp stories for newspapers, and became a familiar face on local TV commercials too.
In 1990 he started Reelin' In The Years as a volunteer. The show looks at pop music from 1950 to 1990 – the golden age of 45s. He mixes songs, trivia, and interviews. Listeners request tunes and share memories. It's radio the old-fashioned way, and it still works.
By September 2025, Bob hit 53 years in the business. The station celebrated with special clips of his best moments. Now, in April 2026, the whole state is celebrating him again.
Bob Labbe wins Alabama’s Radio Personality of the Year. A 53-year career built on vinyl and local voice. Still plenty of life in the airwaves. #BobLabbe #Radio #Storytelling https://t.co/BqJbKGYNV0 via @OngoingNowX
— Zoe Martin (@ZoeMartinAU) April 15, 2026
What Makes Vinyl Records So Cool (Even in 2026)
Ever held a 45-rpm record? It's small, about 7 inches across, with a big hole in the middle. One song per side. You drop the needle, hear a little scratch, and then pure music flows out. No skips like old CDs, no buffering like streaming.
Bob's collection is huge because he has been buying since he was young. He takes care of every single one. In today's world of instant downloads, his show reminds us that music has a story – and sometimes that story lives on plastic grooves.
How You Can Join the Fun
Tune in live on WLRH 89.3 FM or stream at wlrh.org every Friday night. Follow Reelin' In The Years on Facebook for trivia, videos, and contest updates. Send an email to the station if you have a song request or a memory to share.
Bob still referees basketball games and writes stories. He stays busy because he loves his community. That's the Radio King way – giving back while spinning the hits.
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