Podcast Summary: Bubba On the Lake

Episode #28: Andy Burcham, The Voice of the Auburn Tigers

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Bill "Bubba" Bussy
Guest: Andy Burcham (Voice of the Auburn Tigers), Sharon Tinsley (President, Alabama Broadcasters Association)

Overview

In this lively episode, Bill "Bubba" Bussy welcomes Andy Burcham, the iconic voice of the Auburn Tigers, for an engaging discussion about Auburn football, the evolving world of college athletics, and Andy's own broadcasting journey. The episode also features a meaningful conversation with Sharon Tinsley from the Alabama Broadcasters Association, focusing on the ongoing fight to keep AM radio in cars and its importance for public safety. The tone throughout is conversational, humorous, and informative, with Bubba peppering in personal anecdotes and his trademark wit.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Updates and New Projects

Timestamps: 00:45 – 09:53

• Bubba updates listeners on his knee replacement recovery, the launch of a new podcast (“Tailgate Tailgate Show”), and assorted college football gripes, particularly about his long-suffering relationship with the Minnesota Vikings.
• Quote: "I've been a Vikings fan since I was a small child, which means I've had a lot of disappointment in my life." (06:15)
• He introduces upcoming guests, including Andy Burcham and Sharon Tinsley, setting the stage for a packed episode.

2. The Fight for AM Radio

Guest: Sharon Tinsley | Timestamps: 11:40 – 16:54

Key Points:

• Efforts in Washington to keep AM radio in vehicles as automakers move toward monetizing all in-car features, often at the expense of free radio access.
• The critical role of AM radio in the Emergency Alert System:
  Quote: "The emergency alert system across the entire United States is built on the backbone of AM radio... The AM signal carries much, much farther, so you can reach many, many more people with a single signal." – Sharon Tinsley (13:00)
• Practicality of restoring AM radio stations after disasters compared to FM, due to simpler technical requirements.
• Bubba highlights the security risk:
  Quote: "If I was a military planner at a superpower who looked at the US as an adversary, I would hope they don't have AM radio in their vehicle." (15:20)
• Sharon urges listeners to contact their congressional representatives to support the "AM Forever in Every Vehicle" bill, noting support from several Alabama lawmakers but still missing others.

Memorable Moment:
Sharon recounts Bubba's celebrity status at the ABA convention, wrapping up the segment with friendly banter about notable Alabama broadcasters. (16:22)

3. Deep Dive: Auburn Football with Andy Burcham

Main Segment | Timestamps: 18:59 – 52:50

A. Kicking Off the Season

• Andy shares optimism about Auburn's opening win at Baylor, noting its importance for team momentum.
  Quote: "The win at Baylor, really an important win for Auburn... great way to start the season." (19:53)
• Preview of Auburn’s schedule: Ball State and South Alabama, then a brutal SEC stretch with Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Georgia.

B. State of the SEC

• Bubba and Andy discuss the competitiveness of the Southeastern Conference—no pushovers remain, every game is a challenge.
  Quote: "There is not a game anymore in the Southeastern Conference that you look and go, all right, that's a win. Now we can move on. You don't do that anymore." – Andy Burcham (21:12)

C. Team Insights & On-Field Changes

• Key improvement: Turnover margin—Auburn avoided turnovers in the opener after struggling last year.
• Emergence of transfer QB Jackson Arnold as leading rusher.
  • Quote: "After week one... Auburn has the leading rusher in the Southeastern Conference. That's not odd, but it’s Auburn's quarterback that's the leading rusher." (22:30)
• Bubba presses Andy on the offensive line; Andy details specific personnel upgrades and the impact of transfer recruits.
  Quote: "I think this is a much better offensive line than Auburn has had in a while." (23:50)

D. Receiver Talent & Strategy

• The receiving corps: loaded with talent, but passing game was held in reserve in opener due to Baylor’s scheme.
• Andy expects a more balanced, explosive offense in upcoming games.
  Quote: "That was what Baylor gave Auburn. They basically tried to take the passing game away and made Auburn run the ball and Auburn ran it to a tune of 322 yards." (25:11)

E. Recruiting, Transfers & NIL

• Discussion of recruiting trends, why Auburn’s current class looks slow but is expected to surge by December.
  • Decommitments this summer stoke fan anxiety.
• Quote: "I think by the time December rolls around, this recruiting class is going to be very, very good. It's just not there yet." – Andy Burcham (27:38)

F. Hugh Freeze and Health

• Andy updates listeners on Coach Freeze’s recent diagnosis of prostate cancer:

  • Coach Freeze is handling it well, has postponed surgery until the offseason.
  • Quote: "He is taking caution with his diet and his health right now... His family's doing well. He added a granddaughter last week just before they went to Baylor." (28:57)

• Both share personal cancer journeys, underlining the importance of routine checks:
  Quote: "It is scary when you hear the C word and when you have family and faith in place. It's a game changer for sure." – Bubba (31:43)

4. Andy Burcham’s Broadcasting Journey

Timestamps: 34:08 – 42:36

• Andy’s rural Illinois roots and the major influence of legendary voices—Harry Caray, Jack Buck, Dan Kelly.
  Quote: "You were either a Cardinal fan or you weren't part of the family. That's the way it was." (34:30)
• Early career: Local high school broadcasts in jeans and t-shirts, first job interview story.
• Move to Auburn in 1988:
  • Early work at local radio station WKRR, then Auburn women’s basketball for 31 years.
  • Progressed to “locker room host” with Coach Dye, then eventually to the primary Auburn play-by-play role after the passing of his close friend Rod Bramblett in 2019.

The Bramblett Story

• Andy and his wife Jan became guardians for Rod and Paula Bramblett’s children after their sudden passing. Quote: "We learned how to be parents to a 15-year-old in our house." (41:48)
• Poignant reflection on friendship, sudden responsibility, and carrying forward a broadcasting legacy.

5. Unforgettable Auburn Moments

Timestamps: 42:36 – 45:10

• 2010 National Championship season and the emotional desert celebration after the win over Oregon. Quote: "One of the most surreal moments that I can remember because it had finally happened." (42:36)
• 1997 Baseball Super Regional comeback after the Bramblett tragedy; the stress of holding a 13-run lead.
• Bubba: "That’d be quite a headline, wouldn’t it?" (45:06)

6. The Changing Landscape of College Athletics

Timestamps: 45:09 – 51:09

A. Conference Realignment, NIL & Scholarships

• Andy: No one has it "figured out"—rules, money flows, and future structure are all in flux, causing anxiety in athletic departments.
• NCAA: Formerly draconian, now seen as toothless.
• Bubba highlights positives—rise in scholarships for sports like baseball due to NIL.
  Quote: "It was 11.7 scholarships for baseball forever... now, it’s fully funded." (47:23–47:32)
• Andy explains how Alabama’s lack of a "Hope Scholarship" (as found in GA, FL, LA) had previously put Auburn at a disadvantage in baseball recruiting—now NIL levels the field.

B. NIL’s Impact on Players

• Bubba wonders if locker rooms are changing with seven-figure incomes for star players.
• Andy: No direct evidence, but acknowledges it could be a factor; Auburn offers financial guidance. Quote: "They're in a different tax bracket now... but they're also still 18, 19, 20, 21-year-olds." (50:00)
• IRS warning: Both worry some players may not be paying taxes, setting up future legal trouble.

7. Closing & Looking Forward

Timestamps: 52:08 – 52:50

• Bubba invites Andy for future appearances, particularly as a guest picker on the Tailgate Tailgate Show. Quote: "Let's work that out, Bill. I'd love to do it." (52:41)
• Both close with genuine appreciation and praise for each other's contributions to Alabama broadcasting and the Auburn community.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Bubba’s Humor Throughout: Self-deprecation (semi-retired, “mostly washed up”), and his Viking fan woes.
• On Play-by-Play Careers: “Plan B is something you figure out when plan A didn’t work.” (39:52)
• On Cancer Diagnosis: "There’s just people who have had it and people gonna get it." (30:12)
• Heartfelt About Legacy: Andy recounts the surreal post-championship moment with friends and family and his commitment as guardian to the Bramblett children.

Timestamps Guide for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | | 00:45–09:53 | Bubba’s intro, knee update, new projects, Viking woes | | 11:40–16:54 | Sharon Tinsley on AM radio, broadcasting challenges | | 18:59–21:50 | Andy Burcham joins, season & SEC overview | | 22:09–28:54 | Team performance, recruiting, NIL & coaching health | | 34:08–42:36 | Andy's personal journey, legacy, and loss | | 42:36–45:10 | Unforgettable Auburn moments | | 45:09–51:09 | College football’s new world order, NIL, scholarships | | 52:08–52:50 | Closing, mutual appreciation, future invites |

Tone & Language

The episode is friendly, conversational, and laced with cheer and good humor. Bubba’s Southern charm and comedic timing anchor the show, while Andy and Sharon’s professionalism and warmth shine. The exchanges are genuine, knowledgeable, and respectful—the essence of great sports radio.

For New Listeners

Whether you’re an Auburn fan, a radio industry follower, or just love hearing from seasoned pros with deep roots in Alabama, this episode offers an engaging, informative ride through sports, broadcasting, and personal resilience—peppered with stories, laughs, and life lessons.