Big D and Bubba
Encyclopedia
The Big D and Bubba Show is a nationally syndicated radio show airing daily on over 50 FM radio stations. The show is syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks
.
. 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 were first heard on KMML-FM in Amarillo, TX. This marked the beginning of syndication.
KMAG-FM in Fort Smith, AR was the show's third affiliate and has carried the show longer than any other station (except for original flagship, WYNK).
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).
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 syndicated morning show can work in the country music format. They have succeeded through a combination of compelling content and local customization...
- 2007 Academy of Country Music
National Personalities of the Year (presented in 2008)
- Nominated for Country Music Association
National Personalities of the Year in 2002 and 2007
Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Networks is an American radio network. It is the largest syndication company in the United States based on popularity of programming...
.
Early beginnings and self-syndication
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-FMWYNK-FM
WYNK-FM is a Country music formatted radio station licensed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts with an ERP of 100 kW...
. 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
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
.
In August 1999, Big D and Bubba hired Patrick Thomas away from sister station WFMF-FM
WFMF-FM
WFMF is a Top 40 music formatted radio station licensed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts with an ERP of 100 kW.-History:...
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 were first heard on KMML-FM in Amarillo, TX. This marked the beginning of syndication.
KMAG-FM in Fort Smith, AR was the show's third affiliate and has carried the show longer than any other station (except for original flagship, WYNK).
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).
Move to Nashville and Premiere Radio Networks
Big D and Bubba could not pass up the opportunity to base their show in the center of its musical format. So, when WSIX-FMWSIX-FM
WSIX-FM is an FM radio station broadcasting in Nashville, Tennessee on a frequency of 97.9 MHz. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications...
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
Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Networks is an American radio network. It is the largest syndication company in the United States based on popularity of programming...
. With 50 affiliates, they have proven that syndicated morning show can work in the country music format. They have succeeded through a combination of compelling content and local customization...
Awards and recognition
- 2006 Radio and Records Magazine Country Personalities of the Year- 2007 Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
National Personalities of the Year (presented in 2008)
- Nominated for Country Music Association
Country Music Association
The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
National Personalities of the Year in 2002 and 2007