It's the end of an era.
On Friday, longtime radio co-hosts and self-proclaimed "Sexiest Fat Men Alive" Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey ended their popular "Rick & Bubba Show" after 31 years.
The two announced in February that the show was ending and that they would be going their separate ways at the end of 2024.
Bussey was hired as the assistant athletic director for broadcasting at Jacksonville State University, where the two hosts originally met, and will host a podcast called "Bubba on the Lake."
Burgess is rebranding the show to "The Rick Burgess Show," with many of the same crew staying on board. The new show will begin on January 6, 2025, and will air Monday through Friday each week from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. It will remain on all current stations and platforms, both live and archived, and it will air in new markets.
Fans of the popular longtime Alabama radio show tailgated outside the studio for the final show. Others called in throughout the show to share their appreciation for the program.
In the second-to-last segment, Bussey signed off by thanking Jesus, the people who carried the show, listeners, sponsors, family and the whole Rick & Bubba team.
"Just saying thank you doesn't seem like enough," he stated. "It was a dream of a lifetime."
Bussey wished Burgess and the rest of the crew "nothing but success going forward."
"I hope you remember us fondly," Bussey said to listeners. "Farewell and God bless you all. Thank you."
In the final segment, Burgess echoed his co-host's sentiments. He said he was "lost" when he first started his radio show without Bussey, but he feels "redeemed" as it comes to an end and asked for prayers.
"This ends an era," Burgess said as he left the door open for the two to do more together in the future.
"Thank you for listening to the 'Rick & Bubba Show,'" he added as the show concluded. "God bless you."
Rick & Bubba will continue to air through the end of the year, playing "best of segments."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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