Radio Stars Discuss Faith, Business
May 1, 2008
Brock School of Business Contact: Kara Kennedy, Director of External Affairs, 205-726-4070, kkennedy@samford.edu
Rick and Bubba guest speakers at Dean's Leadership Series on May 1.
By Roy Williams Birmingham News
Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey, the duo once dubbed "radio's two sexiest fat men," told students at Samford University Thursday that it took prayer and perseverance to go from an idea to a top-rated morning drive show that airs in 25 cities.
Burgess and Bussey, whose "Rick & Bubba Show" airs weekday mornings on WZZK 104.7 FM, spoke to a packed Reid Chapel audience on Samford's campus as part of the Brock School of Business Dean Leadership Series. The hour-long session with Samford Business Dean Beck Taylor featured lots of the quips and one-liners that have garnered their show high ratings, along with a few simple tips for success in business.
Burgess said the show grew out of lunch meetings he and Bussey shared while working at a radio station in Gadsden. And they had to fight to get their unscripted show on the air.
We learned that a lot of times in business, perseverance is more important than talent," Burgess said. "We never gave up."
Bussey said the idea of two country-sounding radio hosts chatting about current events didn't excite their boss in Gadsden, but it drew a large listening audience that eventually brought them to Birmingham. Though some thought metro Birmingham was too big for the Rick & Bubba Show, it soon became the market's No. 2-rated radio program and eventually climbed to the top spot.
"People said it wouldn't go over in Birmingham because we were too chatty," Bussey said. "But we gained a large following as the anti-radio show."
Burgess acknowledges the duo encountered challenges along the way, but said it made them stronger. In 2003, for instance, they opened a Rick & Bubba themed restaurant in Pelham, but it closed in less than a year.
Bussey advised anyone considering entrepreneurship to "take control" over their business. Their best move was incorporating the Rick & Bubba name, allowing them to control rights and merchandising.
"We spent $20,000 getting it set up and we only made $30,000 a year at the time, but it really paid off once we began syndicating and signing book deals," Bussey said.
Burgess credits their faith and remaining humble as a key to their success, something he encourages others in business to do.
"God gives us a large platform to serve him and we try to do our best to help entertain others and help them get through their day," Burgess said.
Taylor said Burgess and Bussey are perfect examples for Samford business students to follow.
"It is important for us at the Brock School of Business to get across the message to students that business and faith go hand in hand," Taylor said. "Rick & Bubba are a great American success story."
OTHER NEWS: CHECK OUT FAITH IN ACTION WITH RICK AND BUBBA on CBS 42