I have always loved radio. My first job in commercial broadcasting was at WTBC in Tuscaloosa, the BIG 1230. I worked there for five years through high school and college, and every time I opened up that big microphone in the studio it was just like magic. It was the tail end of the top 40 radio era (I was there from 1973-1978), and I am thankful I was there to enjoy it all.
Fast forward to 2007, and I am still on the radio daily. Not on just one station, but two dozens stations all around the country. I am not playing music by K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Led Zepplin, the Carpenters, or Boston, but I handle the daily weather forecasts.The stations stretch from Phoenix, Arizona to Lynchburg, Virginia and many points in-between. A number of the stations are in the Birmingham metro area, including all of the Cox stations. One of those Cox stations is WZZK, and this morning I understand I will be working with a new morning team which consists of some old friends. Here is a release from the Rick and Bubba web site:
“The Rick & Bubba Show is proud to announce WZZK 104.7 FM as our new Flagship Station in Birmingham, Alabama. The Rick & Bubba Show has entered into a new 5 year partnership deal with Cox Radio to host the syndicated radio morning show. “We are excited about the possibilities Cox Radio has brought to the table” said Rick Burgess. “They are a great company with a terrific track record, and a good match for where we want to go with the show” he added. Co-host Bill “Bubba” Bussey also commented, “It was a tough decision to leave where we were. Nobody likes change. We have a lot of friends there, and a lot of great memories. But Cox Radio came in and made us a great offer that will give us the opportunity to serve our listeners even better, and take the show to even higher places. It’s really all about the listeners…without them nobody cares. We owe them a lot and I hope they know that.”
I am delighted that Rick and Bubba are now part of the Cox Radio family… I get the idea we will have a ton of fun over the next five years!
