10 Questions with ... Big D & Bubba

NAME:Big D & Bubba TITLE:Morning Show COMPANY:Premiere Radio Networks 'The Big D & Bubba Show' WEB:www.bigdandbubba.com BORN:Big D - Cookeville, TN; Bubba - San Francisco, CA RAISED:Big D - Cookeville, TN; Bubba - Houma, LA

Please outline your radio career so far:

Big D: I started radio at age 14 in Cookeville, TN. It was on a 1000-watt Christian AM station that had about 11 people that listened to it. I moved up the ranks in my hometown where I did my first morning show on the FM Top 40 station in town. From there I moved to Billings, MT, Baton Rouge, LA and now Nashville, TN.

Bubba: I got my first part-time job as a board operator running countdown shows at 14, and by 15 I was doing overnights at my hometown Top 40 station. After graduation, I took off to see the world. I lived in Guam for a few years surfing the ocean waves and developing my night show until I figured that I was ready to take a shot at primetime and ready for stateside radio. I haven't regretted that one bit. I moved to Baton Rouge on a whim to be closer to my family in 1995, met my future wife and shortly thereafter began doing mornings with Big D.

1. Who/what influenced you to get into radio?

Big D: I really got in radio because a teacher said I had a good voice. It wasn't until two years later that I realized I was hooked.

Bubba: I thought radio would be a great part-time job in high school, so I guess I never grew up. Some of my biggest influences were guys like Jaz Mackay, who is now in Bakersfield. He took me under his wing in Guam. Also, HUGE thanks to Broadway Bill Lee at WCBS/New York for going over tapes by phone back in the day. The same goes for all the rooftop aircheck sessions back home in New Orleans with Saint John, who's now in San Francisco at KYLD.

2. How long have you been a duo, and how long has your show been syndicated?

Big D: We've been doing our show together for 11 years and syndicated for eight years on our own and two years with Premiere.

3. How do you try to keep things fresh?

Big D: It's tough to be creative and different day in and day out. Radio personalities have the toughest job in media because we do daily shows and must be new, witty, current and engaging every 15 minutes.

We use various methods, i.e.: Nerf toys, remote control trucks, etc...it helps us keep the gears oiled upstairs.

Bubba: We just try to have as much fun as possible. You know when a bit hits you, and you know when to get out of it. Besides, we try most everything out on our wives/co-workers/friends before it ever makes it into the studio. You have a better idea by then. PLUS, we prep a lot. Not scripted prep - just life-notes.

4. One of your big things is to try to keep it local wherever you are. How do you work to keep it local in so many different places?

Big D: We have come to be known for doing "local syndication," and it's a title we are very proud of. It's not easy to stay on top of all of the local goings-on in each market; however, we do rely on help from the local level to help with local contests, local news banter and high school football games. It really does sound like we are sitting right there in the city when done right and is even better when the local station gets involved in getting info to us.

Bubba: We have a great team. From our producer Patrick and his assistant Nicole, to our individual market producers - we get fed so much info, about so many cities, that somehow they juggle it all and allow us the chance to super-serve each market. It's pretty efficient, challenging and fun.

5. There are so many choices today. Radio competes with the Internet, TV, cell-phones, video games, etc. How important is radio to the average person today?

Big D: I believe radio is very important to people today. I'm not one of those "the sky is falling" guys. Sure, radio has to adapt and change but it always has been and will continue to do so.

Bubba: Radio is VERY important. If listeners are not talking on their cell phone, we get them on their ENTIRE commute and hopefully longer if we can get them to stick with us at work. However, we have to embrace all of those choices. As a matter of fact, we even have used video games to reach out. I occasionally ask listeners to find me on MySpace and challenge me to some PlayStation 3 games. What an awesome way to get one on one time with your listeners!

6. We hear you like to fly. How did you get into flying and do you have any planes?

Big D: Aviation is a huge part of my life outside of radio. We were on the road visiting a station in Texas years ago and realized that commercial air travel has its limits and isn't very reliable when travel requires layovers. We got back home and started flying lessons the very next day - true story.

I own a plane and currently use it to travel to regional markets for visits to stations.

Bubba: I had always wanted to fly, and when the opportunity presented itself I jumped at it. Golf is way too stressful. I am far too competitive, so I gave it up. That's when I started flying. Give me a sunny day and some wings, and it's ON! When you are up there looking down, you realize just how many "lives" are being lived and how insignificant all of our problems really are. It helps keep me in check. No plane for me yet - I've been a renter for years, but it looks like I'll finally make the plunge this spring.

7. Who are some of your favorite interviews or favorite bits you've done?

Big D: Tim McGraw is always a great guest. Brad Paisley is another good one. In fact Brad came in a few weeks back and said "I hear y'all do those prank calls on the show. I want to try one!" So, that's what we did. He called a nail salon in New York City and asked how much a manicure would cost for his wife that only had 9 fingers. She yelled at him in Vietnamese and hung up on him.

Bubba: I really have no "favorite bits." We do so much and go through so much prep, that every hour it's almost like an entirely brand new show. We don't dwell on the topic du jour. That kind of radio seems like such a waste of four hours. I know it's been a good show, when I am exhausted. We do it all, Warm n' Fuzzy/Star & Artist interviews/Pranks/Stunts/Games/Trivia/Topics/Patriotic/etc and we try to fit as much of it into each show as possible. Never the same thing at the same time. Contrary to popular belief, the listener likes to be mentally engaged, so challenge you, and do a different show everyday.

8. You guys are big supporters of the U.S. Military. How do you try to integrate that into your show?

Big D: I'm a huge fan of ANYONE that will take a bullet for me. The best way to integrate that passion on the show is for THEM to be on the show - them being the soldiers, parents, etc. We have groups that get together and swap Big D & Bubba tapes in Iraq. Some will listen on line and call in or email.

Bubba: We can't do enough for our military. Lord knows if we had something to really "offer," we'd head over there on a USO tour in a heartbeat. I come from a military family, and if it weren't for radio, I could have easily gone that route. I am envious in many ways of the commitment to our country that these men and women have undertaken. We try to remember the families here at home, we try to honor the fallen and injured and we try to be honest about how we feel about how these situations overseas are going. War is never pretty, but turning your backs on those who are just doing a job, is just plain ugly.

9. What do you like the best about your job? Least?

Big D: I enjoy the connection with fans. When we have Keith Urban come in, I'm just as excited as the listener! It's like we're all in this thing together, and we are the mouthpiece. The least is all the traveling. We are gone almost every weekend for market visits. We see most of our artist friends on the road in fact because we travel to do stage work for some concerts. That's when we can catch up with Dierks or Brad backstage in another city that neither of us live in. It's bizarre.

Bubba: I'm still a radio nerd at heart. I get excited when I hear other jocks do something really cool, and I'm envious that I didn't think of it first. I like the feeling of accomplishment when we can help others through our show as well. Least? Waking up so early is tough. I have sleep apnea, and it can be really tough some days, but if that's the worst part about this whole job, then I think I'll be okay.

10. Are you big on New Years Resolutions? What are some of your goals for '08?

Big D: I hope to put on about 20 pounds. I'm pretty frail right now at my 350 pounds and 6'3 frame. My goal this year is to make better and better content. It's tough out there today, and you will only survive if your content is the best.

Bubba: I don' t have any resolutions other than to try to push harder and grow as a dad, husband and entertainer.

1. What personal item would you never part with?

Big D: iPhone

Bubba: My MAC computers, PDA Smartphone and my home studio.

2. Favorite Junk food?

Big D: McRib

Bubba: Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashells. Oh my goodness - I have tasted the devil, and he wants me to be fat.

3. What CDs in your player right now that you can't get enough of?

Big D: James Taylor

Bubba: Frank Sinatra, Dean & the Rat Pack, Generation X (old time Billy Idol), Garth Brooks, Social Distortion, the new James Otto CD (he sounds like the love child of Ray Charles and Bob Seger), Dropkick Murphys, The Mavericks LIVE CD, Colbie Calliat - the list goes on and on.