Big D and Bubba
 | |
| Genre | Comedy, Country Music |
|---|---|
| Running time | 4 hours (approximately) |
| Country | United States |
| Home station | None (broadcasts out of Nashville, TN) |
| Starring | Big D and Bubba |
| Writer(s) | Big D and Bubba, Patrick Thomas |
| Producer(s) | Patrick Thomas |
| Air dates | since December 1996 |
| Website | bigdandbubba.com |
The Big D and Bubba Show is a nationally syndicated radio show airing daily on several different FM radio stations. The show is syndicated by Compass Media Networks.
History
Big D and Bubba first teamed up in December 1996 on WXCT (now WTGE) in Baton Rouge, LA. The show gained enough success to garner the attention of cross-town rival WYNK-FM. In February 1999, Big D and Bubba signed a deal with AMFM Broadcasting (then owner of WYNK) to do mornings on WYNK and have the ability to syndicate the show. No country morning show had ever been successful in a nationally syndicated format for an extended period of time, so this was not considered viable at the time. Soon after their debut on WYNK, AMFM Broadcasting was purchased by Clear Channel Communications.
In August 1999, Big D and Bubba hired Patrick Thomas away from sister station WFMF-FM to produce their morning show. He was brought on board in anticipation of future syndication opportunities and is still with the show to this day.
On December 6, 1999, Big D and Bubba was first heard on KMML-FM in Amarillo, TX. This marked the beginning of syndication.
The show grew slowly but steadily while fighting the widely held belief that a syndicated country morning show simply would not work. They also had to convince the industry that a show based in a medium-sized radio market (Baton Rouge) could be successful. By the summer of 2003, the Big D and Bubba Show was heard on 14 radio stations (more than any other country morning show).
Big D and Bubba could not pass up the opportunity to base their show in the center of its musical format. So, when WSIX-FM offered them a state-of-the-art studio and the chance to broadcast from music row, they moved the show to Nashville, TN.
In September 2005, Big D and Bubba signed a syndication deal with Premiere Radio Networks. With 50 affiliates, they have proven that a syndicated morning show can work in the country music format. They have succeeded through a combination of compelling content and local customization.
In September 2013, Big D and Bubba announced that they were leaving Premiere Networks to form their own production company called Silverfish Media. They signed a partnership deal with Compass Media Networks to distribute the show, sell advertising, and license the show to affiliates.
Awards and recognition
- 2006 Radio and Records Magazine "Country Personalities of the Year"
- 2007, 2014 Academy of Country Music "National Personalities of the Year" (2008, 2015)
- Nominated for Country Music Association "National Personalities of the Year" in 2002, 2007, 2011, and 2014.