Rick and Bubba appear on Deep South Soul
PRESS RELEASE JULY 12, 2008
Popular syndicated radio hosts Rick and Bubba will appear on the United Methodist Hour's television program this Sunday. The Hour is produced in Hattiesburg and airs in over 30 million homes nationwide on FamilyNet as well as airing locally at 8:00 am Sunday on WLOX.
Host Shane Stanford, of Petal, was thrilled to have the radio duo as special guests. "Rick and Bubba exemplify what we've been exploring in this series," said Stanford. "They are a prime example of the intersection of faith and culture."
The show is to air as part of the Deep South Soul summer series and has been co-hosted by Anthony Thaxton (also of Petal), who also serves as producer and editor.
"I was struck by how cooperative Rick and Bubba were," said Thaxton. "They were right in the middle of a big book tour, but their producer, 'Speedy' Wilburn, really went the extra mile to fit us in. We were very fortunate to get the interview, and what you hear is what you get with the guys. They were great."
The thirty minute program features extensive interviews about the faith of the radio giants and how that faith surfaces everyday on their program.
"This is not a Christian radio show," says Bill "Bubba" Bussey on this week's Methodist Hour. "But we are Christians who happen to do a radio show." Bussey has been with the Rick and Bubba show for thirteen years. Their program is syndicated around the country.
Co-host Rick Burgess agrees with Bubba. Burgess states that he wants the program to be entertaining, but adds "We are not going to compromise the Gospel."
Shane Stanford admits that the summer series looking at faith and culture has been a departure from what has been normally seen on the United Methodist Hour for the past 36 years, but stands by the show. "We've had such a positive response, especially from unchurched viewers. The paintings for the series have also helped to bring new viewers who are then able to hear the Gospel."
The paintings, watercolors done by producer Thaxton, have all centered around southern themes. For the Rick and Bubba episode, Thaxton painted an old radio.
"Shane wanted a way to bring my art into the ministry here," said Thaxton, who had his own watercolor program called "Southern Sketches" in the Pine Belt area for a few years. "I have had a great time working here with Shane Stanford. He is full of integrity and is an amazing communicator. He really has a heart for people."
Stanford has hosted the United Methodist Hour for the past three years and is the author of four books. His latest hardback, "When God Disappears," is being released in August from Regal Books.
The program featuring Rick and Bubba airs Sunday at 8:00 am on WLOX, 8:30 am on Comcast channel 11 here in the PineBelt, and 11:00 am CST on FamilyNet worldwide. Viewers can go to www.familynet.com to find stations in their area.
"People can go now to our website at www.thehour.org and watch the show online even before it airs Sunday," said Thaxton. "It's online now, and we'd love for folks to watch and share the link with their friends. We have lots of shows up to watch, and we get hits from all over the world."
"And we ask for viewers to sign our guest book and let us know what they think," said Stanford.
The United Methodist Hour continues their expansions by starting to air worldwide on the Armed Forces Television Network this fall. The ministry is also growing to include a weekly worship experience called "The Table." This service, hosted by Stanford with mutimedia produced by Thaxton, will feature music led by Bo Parker.
"God is doing great things in our ministry," said Stanford. "We are simply trying to share the Gospel, to love Jesus, and to love like Jesus."
You're watching
DEEP SOUTH SOUL
with Rick and Bubba
July 12, 2008
Running Time: 28:30
Courtesy of the
United Methodist Hour
