Syndicated radio DJ, comedian Bobby Bones sings Wichita’s praises
Bobby Bones loves Wichita.
The popular host of the syndicated morning radio show “The Bobby Bones Show” is coming to town this weekend for two nights of his Funny and Alone Stand-Up Comedy Tour – and he’s excited to be back in town.
“I wouldn’t have a national radio show if it wasn’t for Wichita,” said Bones, whose birth name is Bobby Estell. “Wichita was the very first place I’d ever been put on syndication. Anything we do, we always go to Wichita.”
Bones, whose Nashville-based show is syndicated locally on 102.1-FM The Bull, spoke to The Eagle on Tuesday from a New York airport.
He’s a pretty busy man these days: He does his daily radio show during the week, standup comedy on the weekends and occasionally plays with his band, Bobby Bones and Raging Idiots.
“For me, I just want to keep working – eventually it’s like, when is this all going to end for me?” he said. “It’s a little bit saving some money for a rainy day, but more so getting out and playing for the fans.”
And Bones has plenty of fans in Wichita.
His two shows at the Orpheum Theatre in 2015 were the fastest selling in the theater’s history and quickly sold out.
He brought his standup tour back to Wichita in 2016, and in addition to his shows at the Orpheum this weekend, he’s bringing his band to the El Dorado Dam Music Festival in July.
“I never play things that close together, because usually people don’t care,” Bones said. “Wichita is so awesome.”
For years, Bones’ show was based in Austin and aired on 96.3-FM in Wichita – his first syndication. Then in 2013, Bones moved the show to Nashville and changed the format to country music. In the years since, his quick wit and ability to catapult up-and-coming country stars’ careers has led to massive popularity nationwide.
His standup tour was originally slated to end with the Wichita performances, but recently he announced a second leg to the tour later this summer.
He said he plans on debuting “a good chunk” of material at the shows this weekend, as he’s constantly tweaking the show.
“If I’m going around year to year doing the same material, I wouldn’t buy tickets to see me,” he said. “(Doing new material) is always scary, because some of it inevitably won’t work, but the crowd in Wichita’s always so warm and awesome that even if I’m not good, they’ll nicely tell me it’s not good.”
As for his favorite Wichita pastimes?
“I mean, I have a favorite hotel after staying there for 12 years, but if I say it ... all the fans will know where I’m staying,” he said with a laugh. “We’ve been coming to Wichita for 12 years now ... and it’s been really cool to watch the city evolve. Every time I go back there, a new restaurant has popped up.
“It’s almost like a third home.”
Matt Riedl: 316-268-6660, @RiedlMatt
Funny and Alone Stand-Up Comedy Tour
When: 8 p.m. Fri., Sat.
Where: Wichita Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
What: Stand-up show by popular DJ Bobby Bones, host of “The Bobby Bones Show.” Featuring special guests Walker Hayes and Nikita Karmen. A portion of the proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will go to charity, from Musicians on Call to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital to the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.
Admission: $28
More information: Buy tickets at www.selectaseat.com, 855-755-7328 or in person at the Intrust Bank Arena box office, 500 E. Waterman.
This story was originally published May 16, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Syndicated radio DJ, comedian Bobby Bones sings Wichita’s praises."