You’re stuck in traffic on the way to work, or maybe not so patiently waiting for the minivan in front of you to unload their kids at school, so you start flipping through radio stations. As you land on KAYO, 96.9, The South Sound’s Choice for Country, you hear some familiar voices. And that’s because one of the top morning duos in the country is back on our dial, BigD and Bubba. Almost six years ago the pair left the airwaves of the Puget Sound. Because I’m a huge country music fan myself, I’ve been grieving ever since. I have to admit I was beyond tickled to be the one to interview this famous pair and so excited to hear them again in the morning.
As we chat over the phone, I try to play it cool with these guys who have rubbed elbows with many of my favorite country musicians. Luckily, they immediately put me at ease. “We’re so excited that KAYO believed in us enough to bring us back in. I’m glad we get a chance to come back now to what we consider family. We have so many people that have still listened to us over this entire hiatus through the internet and what not. So it’s pretty exciting,” they share with me.
At the young age of fourteen, both BigD and Bubba started on the radio scene, not realizing how far their dreams would take them. For Bubba, it was just about softball at the time and to play on the company’s team he had to be an employee of the station. It was a little more the radio draw for BigD Bubba tells me, “He went to his local radio station in Tennessee and applied. He basically walked in and said, ‘Can I have a job?’ and the guy said, ‘Hey why not.’” As we know now, that was just the beginning.
Fast forward to 1996, when the pair teamed up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana while working at a local radio station. Something just clicked between the two of them. Before long BigD and Bubba became heard in all the major cities after making the move into national syndication. This was a huge step for a medium-sized radio market duo.
In 2006, BigD and Bubba had an opportunity to move to Nashville, and be in the heart of country music. “That’s the biggest draw. This is music city for a reason, it’s here. And that’s such a big part of what we do. We are such big fans of country music, so it’s really a no brainer.”
Being in Nashville puts them at an advantage over other morning shows because they are up close and personal with such country music greats as George Strait, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, everyone who’s anybody. These guys are lucky enough to get to talk to them all. Of course, when these award-winning singers come on the show, it’s probably not going to be like any other interviews they do, but will most likely be more fun. BigD and Bubba don’t just ask everyday questions and like to make their famous guests do some outrageous things you would not expect. When you tune your dial 96.9, I guarantee they will surprise you with more than a few laughs.
Every time I listen, and I’m reminded during our interview, how down to earth and relatable BigD and Bubba are. And it doesn’t matter who you are. Their combination of personal stories, humor, and their favorite, interacting with listeners make you want to tune. Bubba tells me, “There’s so many people that feel like they are a part of our community. We are the original social media. We are talking one-on-one with our listeners and talking to everyone at the same time, so it’s a part of something bigger.”
What makes you chose BigD and Bubba over another morning radio show? They are entertainers, keeping their listeners engaged. It’s really almost impossible to tune in and not smile, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe in. When I’m driving in my truck, they are the perfect compliment to my morning and help me start each day on a positive note. Even when current events are less than exciting, this duo add their take on it and make their show something you don’t want to miss.
Putting all the jokes and humor aside, there is still much more to BigD and Bubba that keeps you listening every morning. These radio guys are not boring. They are both married with kids and often share personal stories on the air. Recently I caught a special segment where Bubba’s 10-year-old son, Frank, debuted his latest rap song about the indecisive election. It was so easy to picture my own son as I laughed along with it, but in all honesty he was quite good. It could have been any one of my friend’s telling the story, and it’s this personal side that make BigD and Bubba not just a voice in the radio, but more like someone we know. Of course my friends don’t fly airplanes likes these two do, but I can relate to Bubba’s obsession with old cars. Last year, the duo received a Country Music Award for National Personalities of the Year.
It’s so great to have them back on our radios every morning. BigD and Bubba remind us daily to enjoy life, and not take everything so seriously. It’s a lesson most of us could probably stand to hear again.
Because the two have been so successful in their radio careers, I ask if they can offer advice to others hoping to get into the business. “There is always going to be a place for entertainers. And there is always going to be room for someone to get a foot in the door, such as becoming a part of your local station or producing a podcast.
KAYO Program Director, Ken Moultrie shares why he thinks the two work so well. “These guys are relatable to a soccer mom dropping off her kids or a hard working logger. They cut across barriers and really have a broad based program.”
It’s because of their great energy and talent that KGY/KAYO general manager Jackson Dell Weaver brought them back to the Northwest. “At the end of the day, in a digital age, having unique personalities is very important for local radio. Pandora and Spotify can play the music, but local radio alone has personalities and engagement. We’re jazzed to have BigD and Bubba join our team.”
You might not always be able to catch the whole show, but even if you have those few extra minutes in the car, tune to 96.9 KAYO and catch BigD and Bubba’s show. “It feels like we are getting a part of the family back. What more can we say than we are stoked out of our minds and just diving in, we’re happy. We can’t wait to get back out there,” Bubba shares with me.
Every morning you can listen to BigD and Bubba on 96.9 KAYO, 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday and also on Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. KGY, Inc. owns KAYO and is a family owned station that has been a part of the Olympia community since 1922. KAYO brands themselves South Sound Country and covers Thurston, Pierce, Mason, and Greys Harbor counties.
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