The Bobby Bones journey has hit the big time. The radio star gone viral is taking the Arkansas Razorbacks along for the ride.
If you watched American Idol on Sunday night, you know it’s true. The set Bones made in his Nashville, Tenn., home was full of his favorite Razorback stuff.
Bones was told by Idol producers to just “build a set” and so a quick run through the house came up with his personal treasures.
“I ordered a Razorback helmet off the ‘net a few years ago and I have a Razorback football Quinn Grovey gave me,” Bones said. “I’ve got some Razorback books on the shelf and a Razorback skull.
“This is my third season on American Idol and we have gone international. I want everyone everywhere to see the Razorbacks.”
It’s one of the few good things that have come of social distancing created by the coronavirus pandemic. It gives Bones a chance to tell the world he’s a Razorback fan and he stepped to the plate.
“I’ve been that way all my life,” the Mountain Pine product said in a telephone interview Monday night just after an American Idol taping session.
“I was born a Razorback. I’ve got an Arkansas tattoo.
“If you are from Arkansas, you know the Razorbacks are all we have. There are some Dallas Cowboy fans because we know Jerry Jones is from Arkansas. And, we have some (St. Louis) Cardinals fans. Our minor league team was once affiliated with the Cardinals.
“But really, we are all Razorbacks. My earliest memories of the Razorbacks come from our basketball team when Nolan Richardson got us rolling.”
Bones has skyrocketed through hosting radio shows, first in Arkansas, then Austin, Texas. Clear Channel moved him to Nashville and things have really gotten big. He won Dancing with the Stars. American Idol asked him to mentor their contestants beginning three years ago.
“Every year they let me do a little more,” Bones said. “I’ve been given a lot more responsibility to help them pick songs and give advice. My background is in music and similar to a lot of them.”
Of course, it’s been more difficult to do some of that with contestants – and Bones – operating from home.
“I’m working more now, but without the travel,” he said. “I’m doing my radio, Idol and we’ve even started a new game show that TV is picking up. A lot is happening. I just wish I could go outside more and I can’t travel for any of it.”
All of the Razorback gear pre-dates his climb to international stardom.
“I’ve had all of this before I got halfway cool,” he said. “I’m a consistent (Razorback fan) and don’t flaunt it. But I am how most obnoxious fans are.
“I have had Razorback stuff draped over me for my entire life. It’s just who I am.”
There have been social media contacts over the last 24 hours from other college football fans.
“I’ve got some that say, ‘I love you, but Roll Tide,’ and there have been a few Boomer Sooner messages,” Bones said. “But it’s not causing any drama. I love being a Razorback fan and I’m proud of it.”
It’s easy to recall personal favorite times, like running onto the field after Arkansas beat LSU in the Miracle on Markham in 2002.
“I sure was (on the field) right after DeCori Birmingham made that catch,” Bones said. “And, I was in Austin for the victory over Texas (in 2003). I was there when Matt Jones and the Razorbacks beat the crap out of them that day in Austin.”
That was great fun because Bones was working in the Austin market then. Mostly, he’s worked in markets where the Razorbacks are recognized. That’s not the case in some places where they are now watching American Idol.
“I’m getting questions about what (is that Razorback logo) and that’s great so I can tell everyone all over the world,” he said. “If people don’t know, I can tell them, ‘Go Hogs!’ I’m having fun.”