The Bobby Bones Show – Bobbycast

Episode: Bobby on What It’s Like to Go Viral + Dancing With the Stars Drama and Sending Back the Mirrorball + Famous Country Songs That Never Went No. 1
Host: Bobby Bones (with Eddie)
Date: November 18, 2025
Podcast: The Bobby Bones Show, Premiere Networks

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bobby Bones shares a candid deep dive into his recent viral moment related to Dancing With the Stars, explores the emotional aftermath of going viral, addresses his decision to return his Mirrorball Trophy, and unpacks the ripple effects when past show host Tom Bergeron reignites the conversation. In the second half, Bobby and Eddie review iconic country songs that—surprisingly—never made it to number one, offering spirited commentary, industry insights, and plenty of laughs.

Segment 1: Going Viral and Dancing With the Stars Drama

[03:14 – 21:49]

Key Discussion Points

• Background of the Drama

  • Every year around October/November, Bobby receives a surge of criticism online as the Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) season nears its end, mainly because he won the show in a way some fans found controversial.
  • This year, ex-host Tom Bergeron mentioned Bobby's DWTS win as a particularly "shocking" outcome in a press interview, triggering a new cycle of attention.

• Mental State While Posting

  • Bobby was recovering from ankle surgery and was on pain medication, which he believes lowered his emotional defenses:

    “I don’t blame it on pain medicine at all, because I stand by everything I said. But just so you know where I was at, like mentally...” (04:18)

• Feelings About Tom Bergeron’s Comments

  • Although Bobby respects Tom immensely and credits him for support during the show, he was hurt by the public commentary:

    “My feelings were hurt because it was somebody that I, like, really respected and was also so great to me while I was there on that show.” (05:18)

• Sending Back the Mirrorball Trophy

  • Overwhelmed by negative associations, Bobby decided to return his DWTS trophy to ABC, inspired by Marie Kondo’s “spark joy” philosophy:

    “One of my heroes in life, Marie Kondo. If it doesn’t spark joy, get rid of it.” (07:40)

• The Viral Snowball

  • Bobby discusses the sensation of seeing a post go viral:

    “It’s really weird to slowly go viral… the next day, it’s over. It is like the biggest dump of water on you, and you’re like, oh, my God. Good or bad, you’re like, oh, my God. And then you go, oh. The next day you wake up and it’s completely gone.” (16:43)

• Intentions and Regrets

  • He stresses there was no ill will and he still loves the show, saying:

    “I love the show. I have nothing to say negative about the show or the people on the show or even Tom. Like, I think Tom is the greatest.” (17:51)

• Not Chasing More Attention

  • Declined invitations from other big podcasts to talk about the drama, not wanting to escalate the story:

    “I just don’t want this to seem like I was doing this specifically for attention because when I do things for attention, a lot of times it doesn’t get attention.” (18:27)

• Celebrity Culture & Social Media

  • Bobby reflects on the fleetingness of viral moments and explains why he chose not to capitalize on the attention.

Notable Quotes

• “That trophy does not make me feel good to look at. I don’t even want to put it away.” (06:53)
• “If they send it back to me, I will accept it loudly and proudly.” (17:23)
• “There have been years and years of people just, like, pounding me over doing nothing wrong.” (08:10)

Memorable Moments

• The analogy to Marie Kondo’s philosophy
• Bobby’s vulnerable admission of being “a little bit emo” on pain medication
• Comparing the fleeting virality to a coach getting “water dumped on them” after a big win (16:43)

[19:00] Eddie and Bobby Reflect on Show’s 20th Anniversary and Missing the Special Due to Injury

• Light banter about missing the DWTS anniversary episode due to Bobby’s foot and TV subscription issues.

Segment 2: Famous Country Songs That Never Hit #1

[25:05 – 54:13]

Format

Bobby and Eddie count down famous country songs that, despite their ubiquity, iconic status, or enduring popularity, never actually reached number one on the country charts.

Key Insights & Discussion Points

How Charting Has Changed

• Number ones used to signify massive success but are now diminished by chart politics, streaming games, and fragmented radio play.
• “Number ones now are high price hookers... Instead of like a girlfriend that you have for many, many weeks and that you invest in.” (27:57, Bobby Bones)

Standout Songs Discussed (selections & highlights, not the full list):

1. “Whiskey Lullaby” - Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss (peaked at #3)

   • Universally loved classic, “One of the saddest songs ever written in the 2000s. Maybe the best song of the 2000s.” (28:47)

2. “Heads Carolina, Tails California” - Jo Dee Messina (peaked at #2)

   • Blocked by “My Maria” (Brooks & Dunn).
   • Eddie jokes it should have been a “ten weeker.” (29:59)

3. “Fancy” - Reba McEntire (peaked at #8)

   • Surprising due to its iconic status. Discussion of how song content could limit radio play.

4. “Life is a Highway” - Rascal Flatts (peaked at #18)

   • Never released as an official single, just happened to be a huge airplay and streaming hit due to the movie "Cars". (34:28–34:51)

5. “Red Solo Cup” - Toby Keith (peaked at #9)

   • Written off as a joke song, became a massive party anthem and signature Toby song.

6. “Crazy” - Patsy Cline (peaked at #2)

   • Blocked by Leroy Van Dyke’s 19-week #1 “Walk On By.”
   • “Crazy, which was famously pinned by Willie Nelson, has not only become Patsy Cline's signature song, but one of the most iconic songs in the history of country music.” (38:22)

7. “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” - Shania Twain (never #1 in US)

   • Was #1 in New Zealand, never hit the top in the U.S.

8. “Callin’ Baton Rouge” - Garth Brooks (peaked at #2)

   • Blocked for seven weeks by other major songs.

9. “Amarillo By Morning” - George Strait (peaked at #4)

   • Despite being Strait’s signature track, never a #1—a major surprise to both hosts.

Honorable Mentions

• “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” - Hank Williams
• “Go Rest High On That Mountain” - Vince Gill (peaked at #14)
• “Whiskey River” - Willie Nelson (peaked at #12)
• “Midnight in Montgomery” - Alan Jackson (peaked at #3)
• “In Color” - Jamey Johnson (peaked at #9)

Notable Exchanges and Quotes

• “Some number one songs are actually memorable, but there are some by some artists and you’re like, I barely even remember that song.” (28:18, Bobby)
• “Let me tell you one thing about this town. It ain’t good hearts running around.” (54:41, Bobby, on Nashville’s hit-making machine)

Running Jokes and Banter

• Extended riff on the “hooker” metaphor for number one songs.
• Eddie repeatedly dubiously rates how many weeks each song “deserved” at #1.
• Bobby and Eddie's banter about chart rules:
  “It would be a little more fair if like was, like, Ric Flair. To be the man, you gotta beat the man. And I am the man.” (53:55, Bobby)

Segment 3: Country Music Deep Dives

[54:13 – 62:39]

Focus: Leroy Van Dyke and Vintage Country Stardom

• Bobby consults the AI assistant for a quick biography of country legend Leroy Van Dyke.
• Discussion about Van Dyke’s signature song “Walk On By” and his impact on country history.
• Bobby and Eddie resolve to listen to more Leroy Van Dyke and marvel at his longevity and still being alive at 96.

Segment 4: Dark Music History – Tragic Deaths (Bonus)

[57:00 – 62:39]

Topic: The Death of Randy Rhoads

• Revisiting details from a prior episode on tragic musician deaths.
• Clarifying facts about Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist), his fatal plane crash, and dispelling the “rock star prank” myth.
• Bobby brings in the AI assistant for fact-checking, who provides a thorough, empathetic recounting of the event.
• Eddie shares research on the surprising circumstances (early morning, accidental, not a pre-planned joke) and the impact on his own perspective.

Notable Quotes

• “It wasn’t a prank to begin with—get in, let’s prank. Oh my God.” (61:07, Bobby)
• “I called my brother… he didn’t even know that. Same thing with him. He’s like, yeah, I think he died in a plane crash. Well, let me tell you, bro.” (62:21, Eddie)

Final Banter: Leroy the Cousin, Music and Identity

• Eddie explains his cousin named Leroy is “half Korean, half Mexican—of all the Leroys I’ve ever known, he looks the least like you’d expect.” (63:10, Bobby)
• Extended, humorous riff on names, stereotypes, and family.

Memorable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• “My feelings were hurt because it was somebody that I, like, really respected…” (05:18, Bobby)
• “One of my heroes in life, Marie Kondo.” (07:40, Bobby)
• “That trophy does not make me feel good to look at.” (06:53, Bobby)
• “Number ones now are high price hookers… Instead of like a girlfriend that you have for many, many weeks.” (27:57, Bobby)
• “Fancy, I’d put Fancy a five week number one.” (30:59, Eddie)
• “Some number one songs are actually memorable, but there are some by some artists and you’re like, I barely even remember that song.” (28:18, Bobby)
• “To be the man, you gotta beat the man. And I am the man.” (53:55, Bobby)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• DWTW Viral Drama / Sending Back Trophy: 03:14-21:49
• Country Songs That Never Went No. 1: 25:05-54:13
• Leroy Van Dyke / Country Legends: 54:13-57:00
• Tragic Rock Star Deaths (Randy Rhoads): 57:00-62:39
• Cousin Leroy Banter and Closing: 62:39-end

Tone, Style, and Delivery

• Open, conversational, and confessional.
• Jokes and self-deprecation (“I know very little about prostitutes... Okay, I know nothing except for what I hear from Charlie Sheen.”)
• Candid about feelings and the strange, often harsh reality of social media fame.
• Mix of music nerd trivia and real-world industry insight, keeping it accessible and lively.
• Playful ribbing and camaraderie between Bobby and Eddie.

Summary:
This episode is a must-listen for fans of Bobby Bones, country music history buffs, or anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes emotional rollercoaster of going viral. It’s equal parts honest introspection, industry education, and rapid-fire banter—anchored by Bobby’s candor and Eddie’s ribbing. Bobby’s decision to mail back his Mirrorball Trophy opens into a meditation on validation, social media’s temperature, and the joys and pitfalls of winning in the public eye. The run through “Songs That Never Went #1” is both enlightening and deeply entertaining—don’t miss the singalongs, the spicy analogies, or the winding tangent about vintage country stars and rock ‘n’ roll tragedy.