Rick & Bubba Show
The Rick & Bubba Show is a nationally syndicated morning radio show based in Birmingham. Hosted by Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey, the show is heard daily in six states and is locally broadcast on WZZK FM 104.7. The pair call themselves "The Two Sexiest Fat Men Alive." On February 1, 2024 Burgess and Bussey announced that they show would not continue beyond the end of the year.
The show originally began in Gadsden in the 1980s on WQEN. In 1998, the show moved to Birmingham as WQEN moved into that market. In 1999, the show was moved to WYSF FM 94.5 after a lengthy contractual battle. In 2003, the show was re-signed to WYSF for five years for a reported $6 million. While it originated from WYSF, the show was heard each weekday morning on 29 radio stations in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and West Virginia. Two hours of their four-hour program were televised live on the Turner South network until April 28, 2006, when Turner South was sold to Fox Sports.
On January 3, 2007, Rick and Bubba became the morning hosts on crosstown station WZZK under a new 5 year contract with Cox Radio after another battle between WYSF owners Citadel, Cox and Clear Channel. Part of the deal was the construction of a new all-digital studio, located in the Vestavia Hills City Center. Opened on February 11, 2008, the "Rick and Bubba Broadcast Plaza and Teleport" is a 5,000 square foot facility housing the studio as well as management offices for the show. The location allows for fans witness the show from the sidewalk.
History
Both Rick and Bubba grew up in Alabama and were active in athletics at their respective high schools. It was at high school sporting events that they knew of each other. At Jacksonville State University, they became friends by working together at the college's radio station.
After college, Bill got a job as engineer for WQEN, a radio station in Gadsden, and recommended Rick for the station's morning show personality. The two began to work together to come up with ideas for the show. One of the ideas was to have Bill read Shakespeare in his deep Southern accent. Rick proclaimed that Bill sounded like his Uncle Bubba. The "Bubba" nickname stuck for Bill. Bubba worked more and more with Rick and eventually became a regular part of Rick's show. The show was renamed "Rick and Bubba."
They often refer to their Christian faith and beliefs on air and have been regarded as a family-safe alternative to "shock jocks" often associated with morning radio. Among their recurring themes are the "greatness" of Fred Dalton Thompson and Robert Horry.
In September 2017 Rick & Bubba hosted a call from President Donald Trump, who was supporting Luther Strange in the Republican runoff for the 2017 U.S. Senate special election. After the call, at Burgess' request, the president recorded a promotion for the program.
Other ventures
Rick and Bubba provided color commentary for the Birmingham Thunderbolts radio network in 2001. The duo also lent their likenesses and voices to a 1990s series of animated television commercials for Jack's, a Birmingham-based fast food chain. In the ads, they were tormented by "Jumping Jack Chicken", a Mick Jagger-styled rooster.
They also owned a short-lived fast food restaurant in Pelham in 2002.
Their first book, Rick & Bubba's Expert Guide to God, Country, Family & Anything Else We Can Think Of, (ISBN 0-8499-0992-9), was published in March 2006, and quickly became a best-seller at Amazon.com and Books-A-Million.
References
- "Rick and Bubba". (January 3, 2007) Wikipedia - accessed January 3, 2007
- DeButts, Jimmy (February 2, 2007) "Rick & Bubba to do show from City Center." Birmingham Business Journal
- Gore, Leada (September 25, 2017) "Alabama radio host asked Donald Trump to record promo for show -- and he did." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (February 1, 2024) "‘Rick & Bubba Show’ to end popular radio show after 30 years in Alabama." AL.com
External links
- Rick & Bubba Show official website
- Rick & Bubba Show at the Internet Movie Database