Broadcast Trailblazer, Civic Leader, and Voice of the Community Passes at 81
SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The city of Huntsville is paying tribute to a man whose voice and vision shaped the sound and soul of North Alabama. Hundley Batts Sr., legendary broadcaster, entrepreneur, and community leader, passed away on July 12 at the age of 81.
Batts, a trailblazer in local media and African American business leadership, co-owned WEUP-AM, Alabama’s first Black-owned radio station, with his wife, Dr. Virginia Caples. Together, they transformed it into a regional media powerhouse and cultural institution, building a network of five stations that amplified gospel, soul, and community-centered programming across Alabama and southern Tennessee.
From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Excellence
Born into a family of hardworking entrepreneurs—his father ran a service station in downtown Huntsville—Batts embraced hustle early. He delivered newspapers, washed cars, and ran errands throughout his youth, guided by a motto that would follow him for life: “Don’t do anything illegal, immoral, or unprofitable.”
After launching a successful insurance firm, Hundley Batts & Associates, in 1972, Batts set his sights on a more profound calling: radio broadcasting.
Falling in Love with the Airwaves
His introduction to WEUP was serendipitous. While in college, Batts spent time helping at the station, then operated from a pink trailer by founders Leroy and Viola Garrett. It was there that he discovered the power of radio to shape minds and serve communities. “I fell in love with his imagination and what he did for the community,” Batts once said, recalling Leroy Garrett’s pioneering influence.
When Garrett passed in the 1980s, Batts and Caples acquired the station in 1987, making history again as a husband-wife team leading one of the few Black-owned broadcast operations in the South.
Building Broadcast One
Under their stewardship, WEUP expanded its reach and mission. The couple established Broadcast One, acquiring additional stations: WEUZ-FM, WHIY-AM, WEUV-AM, and WEUP-FM. Together, the network’s combined power totals over 30,000 watts across AM and FM bands.
• WEUP-AM (1600 kHz) broadcasts at 5,000 watts during the day, historically reaching up to 105 miles.
• WEUP-FM (103.1) operates at 11,500 watts, covering much of the Tennessee Valley.
• Other stations in the network, such as WEUZ (92.1) and WHIY (1190), add deep regional coverage across North Alabama and Southern Tennessee.
Their influence wasn’t limited to airwaves. WEUP also became one of the first Black-owned Southern radio stations to webcast globally, extending its cultural and spiritual voice far beyond state lines.
Honoring Dr. Virginia Caples
Batts’ wife and business partner, Dr. Virginia Caples, passed away in 2018 at the age of 72. A beloved educator and administrator, she made history as the first woman to serve as interim president of Alabama A&M University, holding the role twice. She was widely respected for her leadership in higher education and her dedication to lifelong learning and service. Her legacy lives on through the Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute at AAMU.
Together, Caples and Batts formed a dynamic force that empowered generations through media, education, and entrepreneurship.
A Legacy of Civic Leadership
Batts’ influence extended beyond radio. He was the first African American president of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, chaired the Industrial Development Board, and mentored generations of Black entrepreneurs. His accolades include:
• Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductee
• Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award
• Numerous small business and mentorship honors
Remembering a Titan
Hundley Batts Sr. leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, innovation, and love for his people. His work reminds us that Black excellence isn’t just seen—it’s heard, it’s felt, and it lasts.
The microphones may fall silent for a moment, but the impact of his voice—and the visionary partnership he shared with Dr. Caples—will echo for generations to come.