When you hear the details of how Bob Labbe’s career progressed, you would be tempted to think that persistence was the key to his success – and at least in some ways you’d be right. From radio to television and back to radio, Labbe decided what he wanted to do and sheer determination made it happen. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he was also a talented broadcaster with a deep love for the industry which has been evident throughout his broadcasting career. So it is with much pleasure that the ABA inducts Bob Labbe into the Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame.

“When I was a boy, I used to visit disc jockeys at the radio station or on remotes. I’d visit them and call them, and I told them what I wanted to do,” says Labbe. “One of the gentlemen was Jim Kell and he contacted Art Wikle at WAHR radio and told him about me. Art hired me and my first job was to play jazz music for three hours on Saturday night.”

“After a while  I would go down to Channel 31 and apply,”  Labbe continues. “I used to go see the general manager every week after week. So finally, he called me one day and said I had been bugging the hell out of him for the last couple months. So, he decided he either had to kill me or hire me! I was the number one ranked sportscaster there for many years.”

“I started my current radio stay at WLRH in November of 1990. I used to do the sports cast at Channel 31 on Friday nights. I’d race from Monte Santo Mountain, jump into the seat at the station and start doing my radio show. Which continues today – 36 years coming up in November.”

Johnny Franks worked with Labbe for many years.

“Going back to his days when we first met in the mid ‘70s to his work in television to his work with his Friday night show … he wanted to make a difference. He wanted to impact the community,” says Franks. “People can tell individuals who do it just to be known and the individuals who care and that was the big difference with Bob. Bob actually cares.”

“It doesn’t happen all the time and I never realized what I did to change people’s lives,” says Labbe, “But people I put on television come up to me today and say that I changed their lives from the standpoint of it gave them purpose, made them proud of themselves, or gave them confidence. Because here’s somebody from television was making a big deal of them.”

“There’s been numerous people through the years that say they made it through hard times through listening to my show on Friday nights. I always felt and I still do today that I’m more thankful for people allowing me to interview them even though they thank me for the interview.” 

“Bob believes like I do, you can make a difference each and every day, each and every week and not expect anything in return,” say Franks. “You do it because you care.”

One instance stands out to Franks as a story that typifies Labbe.

“In 1989 when a tornado came through southeast part of Huntsville, Bob originally covered the aftermath of the event.  But at some point, he went from covering the tornado to becoming a person helping to find survivors. In the moment, he knew that he could make a difference right then and there by helping to get survivors the medical care that they need. That’s what Bob did.” 

Although Labbe has won many awards, the Hall of Fame induction is very meaningful to him.

 “I was absolutely shocked just like I was earlier this year when I won the Radio Personality in Alabama Award,” says Labbe. “I was shocked. I still am. I pinch myself and wonder how this happened. So, I’m very humbled and extremely grateful and thankful to all the people who helped make it happen.”