![\"\"](\"http:\/\/al-ba.com\/wp2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chris-Smith-Uncle-Henry-200x300.jpg\")
Picture a dad with his little, five-year-old son putting together a crystal radio kit. When completed, the little boy was able to pick up one station \u2013 WUNI in Mobile. Fast forward 20 years and the same kid is now working for that very station. From there, he became one of Mobile\u2019s most beloved broadcasters of all time. The Alabama Broadcasters Association is excited to induct Chris Smith, also known as \u201cUncle Henry\u201d, into the ABA Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was confused,\u201d says Smith upon learning of his induction. \u201cI thought \u2013 am I being laid off? Because all the other people in the Hall of Fame are either retired, laid off or dead!\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the confusion wore off, Smith was more than pleased.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one is important because it comes from broadcasters,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s always a thrill when somebody tells you that they listen to you and it\u2019s an even bigger compliment when it comes from somebody in broadcasting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith was a news reporter and anchor early in his broadcast career, but he needed something more.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was no fun reporting on death and destruction. I wanted to do something fun and creative,\u201d he explains. \u201cSo, at night, I\u2019d call an FM station \u2013 they thought I was a weird old man. The DJ there thought my calls were really funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one knew I was doing it,\u201d chuckles Smith. \u201cThey didn\u2019t have a clue. I was working for one station doing news and all of that and I was doing \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019 for another station.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was after the FM station hired Smith to do news that they learned they had also hired \u2018Uncle Henry.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were thrilled,\u201d says Smith. \u201cThey immediately put me on their morning show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith has been doing \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019 ever since. For a while, he also appeared as \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019 on cable access TV where, for the first time, he had to come up with a look for the character.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/al-ba.com\/wp2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Chris-Smith-Uncle-Henry-award-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a guest on a wrestling show, and I never thought about what \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019 looked like, so I wore a paper bag over my head,\u201d Smith laughs. \u201cAfter that they hired a professional makeup artist. It took 90 minutes to make me look like an old man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith has played the same character for years, but he\u2019s not bored.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only limited by my own imagination. So, if I\u2019m tired of it, the only person to blame is myself,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Bill Black, who worked at iHeart radio with Smith, says watching him become the \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019 character is something to see.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s artistry in motion. I love either listening to him or just sitting and watching him when he does his thing. It\u2019s always seamless,\u201d he says. \u201cHe falls into character and stays in that character \u2026 and he understands his audience. An audience pays attention to the ways you present yourself and Chris is just an expert at it.<\/p>\n
Even as an amusing character, Smith has made a difference in the Mobile community.<\/p>\n
\u201cChris is always first and foremost in front of any special event,\u201d Black continues. \u201cHe is the guy that\u2019s on the street, right in front of the venue, meeting people, talking to people, handing out goodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he\u2019s out there, he is your best friend. He is incredibly humble with his listeners. He\u2019s genuine in the way he treats the listeners because he appreciates them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m delighted that I\u2019ve taken a radio bit, a character that was done as a morning show character and have been able to stretch that bit out from 1988 to 2026,\u201d says Smith. \u201c I\u2019m proud of the fact that it has lasted so long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith says he\u2019s going to keep doing \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019 on the radio as long as they let him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe day that I\u2019m laid off, I\u2019ll go to YouTube,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Why wouldn\u2019t he just retire the character?<\/p>\n
\u201cI have listener groups that have gatherings and meetups. I would just continue with it because there are people who will continue to want to listen to it. People show up for \u2018Uncle Henry\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Picture a dad with his little, five-year-old son putting together a crystal radio kit. When completed, the little boy was able to pick up one station \u2013 WUNI in Mobile. Fast forward 20 years and the same kid is now working for that very station. From there, he became one of Mobile\u2019s most beloved broadcasters … Continue reading Chris “Uncle Henry” Smith<\/span>