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| Bobby Bones (Tennessean) |
Bobby Bones is not ashamed to admit that he's not a cowboy,
and he doesn't own a belt buckle.
According to
USA Today, when he hosted a Top 40 radio show
in
Austin, Texas, Bones said he took on criticism
because he talked about country music too much for pop radio.
Now, the criticism comes from the other direction. Just like
the artists Bones says he relates to the most — The Band Perry, Gloriana, Brett
Eldredge — he's able to draw in a younger audience, but he's also been told
he's not "country enough" for traditional country fans.
The Bobby Bones Show, which features co-hosts Amy (Brown)
and Lunchbox (Dan Chappell), sounds a lot like a group of friends sitting on
the patio at Jackson's Bar and Bistro in Hillsboro Village talking about whatever comes to
mind — politics, current events, music. Only, the conversation is broadcast for
millions of people.
And yet, despite his alternative take on country and
unconventional formula, Bones stands on the brink of becoming the new voice of
country music radio. He hosts three syndicated shows, anchored by the Bobby
Bones Show, a weekday program that launched in February in 35 country radio
markets, and soon will be in 50 markets nationwide.
Bones sits atop a competitive Nashville country morning radio market. Of
the top 12 morning shows, three are country.
When The Bobby Bones Show entered the market in March, it
debuted in third place in the key 25-54 demographic among country radio
stations behind WKDF-FM and WSM-FM. By June, Bones' show had taken over first
place and continued to extend its lead through August.
Bones, who grew up in Arkansas
and Tennessee,
said he takes offense when people say he's new to country music.
Bones, 33, said his show works because he and his co-hosts
have diverse backgrounds.
