Bubba: I’m in a really good spot - I am just so fortunate. I’m the luckiest guy in Radio right now. I didn’t have a job…and just got by on the severance and just had Howard Stern say, “Ya know what kid? I’m gonna’ you a shot.”
Corey: I think that Stern is programming these channels pretty well. The impression I’ve gotten is that they have really, finally, captured the Howard Stern culture. Not just a radio show, it’s a whole culture of people - not just listeners who hear a four-hour show.
Bubba: Ya know Corey, you’re so right and Howard on Infinity in the four or five hours-a-day he was given truly didn’t tap into his name value and his American icon status and the huge umbrella of people who either worked with him or worked for him - wackpackers to his mother and father - to all the spin-off aspects of the Howard universe. And now, he’s finally been given a genre to super-serve his fans and I don’t think there is any stone that’s going to be left unturned.
Corey: Are your people finding you again? Are you getting the calls from the folks who used to listen to you on terrestrial radio? Is that come along?
Bubba: Times a hundred. I have a better response than I’ve ever had at any terrestrial station in the history of me doing radio in twenty-something years… I tried to clear a phone line last night…in 15 minutes I couldn’t clear a line. But, it’s a good problem to have.
Corey: Did you know that that you are the most searched-for radio personality right now at About.com?
Bubba: Really? People in radio kinda’ know a little bit about me and if they didn’t know anything about me they probably know something now. I think they would be pleasantly surprised with how good our show is. I’m not being arrogant - I’m really not - but I think we have surprised some naysayers or surprised some people who didn’t know what were all about within the industry as to how good our show is - shocking and funny but, yet different.
Corey: It’s obvious you have a following and people enjoy it. Sounds like you have a great gig and I wish you lots of luck.
Bubba: (laughs) Well Corey, I almost feel like something has to go bad in my life…
Corey: You feel guilty, don’t ya?
Bubba: I really do because I’m having so much fun! I work for a great company that understands what Howard and I do and endorsed us. Very rarely have they ever told us what to do…if anything it’s just “A little more of this or a little less of that.” It’s been very user friendly.
Having done this for a long time and having worked for the Mark Driscolls and the Buddy Scotts and some of the people who are very hands-on, up-your-ass - for me it’s quite refreshing to work with these guys who are just ultimate pros. I’m very fortunate to be where I’m at.
Corey: When it gets right down to it isn’t it really about respect for what you do?
Bubba: I think these guys respect where Howard and I have come from, where Danny Bonaduce has come from… [There are] many talented people in the building from Cousin Brucie…John Riggins on the NFL network…to the “Shady 45” guys… everybody’s got a little bit of Juice with them. Our managers let us be us.
Corey: I appreciate you taking time to talk with me.
Bubba: Thank you so much, Corey.
(A companion Podcast of the entire interview is available at RadioRadioShow.com)
