'Bobby Bones Show' heads to Nashville

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin radio sensation "The Bobby Bones Show" heads to "Music City, USA" to broadcast nationally from Nashville.

"After four months, I finally get to talk about what I've been hiding," said Bobby. "We can take Austin to Nashville."

Starting Feb. 18, Bobby Bones will be broadcast nationally from the home of the Grand Ole Opry, where it will now be a national country music show. He takes with him co-hosts Lunchbox and Amy.

Bobby Bones is calling it the "biggest country music show in the country," posting on the show's Facebook page at 8:15 a.m.: "well, we are going country. going to be the biggest country show in the US. crazy."

Bobby said on KASE 101 Monday morning that he's excited to "take Austin to Nashville" and that the changes affect the local Clear Channel Communications family.

"There's a lot of shifting inside this incestuous little move around here," said Bobby.

"I think with this move, we're going to be, by far, the strongest cluster in this city," said KASE morning show host Bama, likening it to Sunday's Super Bowl game. "You have a lot of great players. You just have to put them in the right positions."

WFIX in Nashville will be the flagship station, and KASE 101 will carry Bobby Bones in Austin -- a move from pop music's home on KISS FM 96.7.

Bobby will start his new nationwide country show syndicated via Premiere Radio Networks on Feb. 25. Then will follow the nationwide debut of the "Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones" the weekend of March 2 and March 3.

KASE 101's morning team now -- Bama, Rob and Heather -- moves to its country sister station KVET 98.1. Meanwhile, Anne Hudson will be making the move back from KVET mornings to midday on KASE 101.

"You guys deserve it," said Hudson, speaking to the Bobby Bones crew on the air. "I'm excited to be an extension."

Hudson will be airing on KASE following the Bobby Bones Show, adding that she'll be riding his coattail. Hudson said if she was going to lose her morning show, she's glad it happened this way -- adding that she's very happy for everyone.

"It's kind of like seeing these kids go off to college," said Bama. "Rob and I have been on KASE 14 years ... It's exciting for us. It's a challenge to move over to KVET, which has struggled."

Bama said on the KASE airwaves that he hopes the transitioning KASE morning show team can "bring KVET up where it needs to be."

Teasing the big announcement that would "forever change the 'Bobby Bones Show'" for days, Bobby Bones unveiled the secret at 7:20 a.m. Monday in a live feed -- which you can see below.

The show was first created in 2002, and Friday will be the last day of Bobby Bones from Austin.

KASE's updated weekday programming lineup

• 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. with The Bobby Bones Show
• 10 a.m. to 3 p. m. with Anne Hudson
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Cody
• 7 p.m. to midnight with Jamie Martin

KXAN News and Bobby Bones

Nearly two years ago, KXAN News tagged along with Bobby on his trip to New York for an appearance as co-host with Kelly Ripa on "LIVE! with Regis & Kelly" in January 2011.

We chronicled the adventure from the day before the group left Austin, to behind-the scenes before and after the show in New York.

Some of the the photos in the gallery show what viewers did not see on the air and glimpses of some of the cool experiences while in the Big Apple -- and even before getting there.

"Bobby Bones Show" antics

The early morning radio show is popular for its entertainment factor, like co-host Lunchbox's spontaneous full marathon through the city and Ray's 17-hour fist bump record inspired by the actual world record.

Nearly a year ago is when Lunchox undertook the 26.2-mile endeavor.

It started as a jab at the training marathon runners get in preparation for the long miles, and it turned into the often-controversial morning show host’s motivation to prove he could run a full marathon without any training.

"Bobby Bones Show" radio personality Lunchbox managed to finish more than 27 miles at 10:51 a.m. after starting his run through Austin and the hike-and-bike trail at 6 a.m.

Facing possible kidney damage, a heart attack and even death, a doctor checked him out just before giving him the green light for his personal marathon.