After 40+ Years In Radio Bubba Bo Is Turning His Mic Off

Friday, March 12 is Bubba Bo's last day at Eagle Country 99.3 as he heads into retirement.

Bubba Bo. File photo.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - There is a scene in the movie Forrest Gump, where Forrest stops running and declares that he is tired and ready to go home. 

That is how Bubba Bo feels going into retirement. 

"I've been running for 40 years plus in this business and I've gotten to do a lot of cool things and meet a lot of cool people and I've made pretty good money as money goes in this business anymore, but it's time to ease up some and enjoy life," Bubba said in a sit down interview with Double T on Wednesday.

At 20 years old, Bubba helped UPI cover the Olympic Soccer Tournament in Montreal, Canada. He enjoyed the experience so much, he decided he needed more. The more part turned out to be radio

He took a couple radio courses at the college he attended. Eventually, he applied for a news job in Winter Haven, Florida, which happened to be close to his dad's place in Lakeland. 

They had him record something during the interview process and two weeks later he got the job and dropped out of college. The rest was history. 

In the almost 44 years he's spent in the radio business, Bubba has spent the last 16 years at WSCH, better known today as Eagle Country 99.3. 

When Bubba started at WSCH on January 5, 2005, he had the "pleasure" of working at the old studio on Salem Ridge Road. Bubba recalled some memories from the old studio, including the poor insulation, heavy mice infestation, and a little prank he played to help push the then owner to move to downtown Lawrenceburg - a promise that was made to Bubba when decided to come on board at WSCH. 

"There was a window between the studio and the production/news room and we started collecting bugs and taping them to the window," Bubba said. "By the time we got out of there, we probably had 15 to 18 different kinds of bugs up in that window. I embarrassed him with those bugs on the window and he went wild when he saw that. I said Marty then get us out of here and get us in the new studio." 

About six weeks later in late July or early August, Bubba Bo was the first to broadcast out of the current studio at 20 E. High Street. Bubba recalls broadcasting at the new digs for about a month before it was disclosed to the public. 

Prior to his move to WSCH in 2005, Bubba had worked in the "big city" as he called it. His move to a smaller station came as corporations were taking over radio, and because of his desire to do community radio. 

"I wanted to do community radio, serve the community," Bubba said. "I've always felt if you were good to your listeners, you serve the community, gave them what they want, lots of information. Kind of connect the community with the news makers in the community you would build a bigger audience and you would get that bigger audience to listen more often."

Bubba considers elevating the on-air presentation at WSCH as one of his biggest accomplishments over the past 16 years. 

"It wasn't just me. We've had others that have come in and contributed to that. The quality of the on-air presentation has gone up 100 fold since we started here." 

Many want to know what Bubba Bo will do in retirement. 

Bubba says he has some business and professional opportunities in the trucking industry. That will keep him busy for the rest of 2021. Beyond this year, Bubba hopes to down dial those opportunities and simply do what he wants to do, when he wants to do it. 

"That is the definition of retirement. If I want to take off and drive across the country, I can." 

When asked about what he would and wouldn't miss about the radio business, Bubba gave the following response:

"I just really enjoy always talking to people. I enjoy the ones that do call in somewhat regularly with a traffic report or a family update or like that. It is like a little family, a little community that we developed. Will I miss getting up at 2:30 in the morning, no. Will I missing driving 30 or 35 minutes in the pitch dark in the middle of the night, no. I've been doing that for 40 years. I've done it for all but about 18 months of my career and I'm done."

Bubba says he still has some gas in the tank, and will ease himself into retirement. 

"I started working in radio at 21, and from there its been the radio life no doubt about it but I don't regret it a damn bit. I had a lot of fun. I got to do a lot of cool things and go a lot of cool places, but it's time to bring it to an end," Bubba added. 

His final day at Eagle Country 99.3 comes Friday, March 12. 

Double T will fill in on the morning show for approximately five weeks until a familiar voice takes over the mic. 

Community members are invited to attend Bubba's retirement party on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Durbin Bowl in Lawrenceburg. 

Thanks for all the memories Bubba. Enjoy your retirement.