Podcast Summary: Bobby Tomberlin – A Country Journey From Radio Waves to Grammy Nods

Podcast: Tony Mantor's Almost Live..... Nashville
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Bobby Tomberlin
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes acclaimed songwriter and artist Bobby Tomberlin, who shares his journey from a small-town Alabama radio kid to a Grammy-nominated songwriter, working with legends like Mel Tillis, Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson, Diamond Rio, and more. Bobby and Tony reminisce about Nashville's changing scene, the power of storytelling in country music, personal milestones, and Bobby’s drive to keep country music’s legacy alive for new generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bobby’s Beginnings: Small Town Dreams

[04:20 - 05:10]

• Grew up in Luvern, Alabama, a “two light town” where he was captivated by music from the start.
  • “It’s one of those towns if you’re on the way to the beach, Panama City or Seaside, you drive through there.” — Bobby Tomberlin [04:22]
• Started his own make-believe radio station as a child.
• Became a disc jockey at age 11, spinning records and interviewing country legends.

Journey from Radio to Songwriting

[05:10 - 06:45]

• Radio career continued up to high school and expanded to historical Muscle Shoals station WLAY.
  • Learned songwriting craft from local greats like Mac McAnally and Billy Henderson.
  • “He just kind of took me under his wing and believed in me.” — Bobby Tomberlin on Billy Henderson [05:59]

Nashville Arrival & Breakthrough

[06:45 - 07:56]

• Moved to Nashville in 1990 after being offered a $100 a week writing deal by Mel Tillis.
• Balanced songwriting with night shifts at Kroger.
• First song cut by Linda Davis; kept other jobs until a decade later when Diamond Rio recorded "One More Day."

Working with Legends & Full Circle Moments

[08:02 - 24:50]

• Road gig with Whispering Bill Anderson led to new opportunities.
• Never sought to be a star himself, just wanted to see his name on records.
  • “I just wanted to see my name underneath a song title.” — Bobby Tomberlin [08:34]
• Ended up in the CMT show "The Singing Bee," expanding from songwriting into performing.
• Finds joy in working with country’s greatest; full-circle moments include co-writing with Hank Williams Jr.
  • “Imagine this little kid seeing this artist like Hank perform when I’m like 8 years old and fast forward all these years and I see my name beside his on a song lyric sheet.” — Bobby Tomberlin [23:35]
• Cherishes stories and friendships with heroes: Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Jeannie C. Riley, and Vince Gill.

Nashville’s Transformation

[10:29 - 12:47]

• Reflects on drastic changes to Music Row and Nashville’s historic sites.
• “Sometimes I feel like I’ve moved without actually moving.” — Bobby Tomberlin [10:51]
• Sadness over the loss of iconic studios, emphasis on history and teaching new generations.

Evolution & Philosophy of Songwriting

[13:13 - 15:01]

• Discusses the rise of “track guys,” AI in songwriting, and changing trends, but remains committed to heartfelt, traditional songwriting.
  • “I’m just gonna stay true to myself, write what I do best from the heart.” — Bobby Tomberlin [13:27]
• Collaboration with Buddy Cannon led to five songs for Willie Nelson’s upcoming album.
• Finds motivation in being part of the continuing legacy with heroes.

The Power of Storytelling

[15:01 - 17:37]

• Considers himself from the Hank Williams Sr. school of songwriting — a storyteller first.
  • “I would fall in that category of storyteller… I always just hope it connects with other people.” — Bobby Tomberlin [15:38]
• Hopes to keep playing, writing, and upholding country’s honesty and tradition.

Audience Impact & Legacy

[17:03 - 18:35]

• “One More Day” impacted many grieving fans — a frequent source of gratitude from listeners.
  • “There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t hear from people telling me how that song has helped them heal from a loss of someone.” — Bobby Tomberlin [17:11]
• Uses TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to share stories and history — winning new fans for past legends.

Keeping the Fire Alive

[18:35 - 20:58]

• Inspiration comes from working with admired peers and both young/new and legendary artists.
• The creative process remains fresh: every session is a new beginning.
  • “It is like new every time… It’s a new day. We’re starting over again.” — Bobby Tomberlin [21:07]
• Attending concerts keeps his musical passion strong.

Joys of Collaboration & Serendipity in Nashville

[22:10 - 27:56]

• Privileged moments: Bill Anderson sharing stories about Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizzell; serendipitous encounters in Nashville.
• “You never know who’s around the next corner and who you’re going to bump into.” — Tony Mantor [27:37]
• Emphasizes the importance of letting relationships and collaborations happen organically.

Maturity, Legacy & Remembrance

[28:23 - 30:11]

• Reflects on gratitude, pinch-me moments at songwriter events alongside Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill.
• Recognizes the importance of not taking his opportunities for granted, especially as he matures and loses colleagues and friends.

Memoir Announcement

[30:22 - 31:06]

• Bobby plugs his new memoir: “I’ve Lived Country Music” documenting his journey from Alabama to Nashville.
  • Available at bobbytomberlinmusic.com or Amazon.
• “A lot of special stories that needed to be documented. And I lost my father back in January of this year…and I just wrote and wrote and wrote and really, really pleased with the way it turned out.” — Bobby Tomberlin [30:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity:
  • “I’m just going to keep doing, you know, what I’ve always done, just try to write the best song.” [13:57]
• On Storytelling:
  • “People still, you know, a lot of people will say, oh no, that’s not a big deal anymore…I’m telling you, the people I’m playing for, I see some tears in the audience.” [16:38]
• On Legacy:
  • “I want to just continue to do what I’m doing…But I want to keep that fire. I don’t ever want it to burn out.” [18:38]
• On Collaboration:
  • “We may end up with a very average song, but we may end up with something special that could really be life changing. I love that.” [20:33]
• On Nashville’s Magic:
  • “That’s the beauty of Nashville. You never know who’s around the next corner and who you’re going to bump into.” — Tony Mantor [27:37]
• Full Circle:
  • “Talk about full circle. A lot of full circle.” [24:34]

Important Timestamps

• 04:20 — Bobby’s introduction and small-town upbringing.
• 06:45 — Move to Nashville and Mel Tillis’ offer.
• 07:56 — First hit, long haul to success.
• 10:29 — Nashville/Music Row’s transformation.
• 13:13 — Adapting writing to changing industry trends.
• 15:12 — Self-identification as a storyteller.
• 17:03 — Impact of “One More Day.”
• 18:35 — Hopes and legacy.
• 21:07 — Creative freshness with every new writing or studio session.
• 23:35 — Full-circle story about Hank Williams Jr.
• 30:22 — Announcement of Bobby’s memoir.

Episode Takeaways

• Dedication to honest, heartfelt songwriting keeps Bobby Tomberlin engaged and relevant in an ever-changing industry.
• Community, history, and serendipity are at the heart of Nashville — and Bobby’s life stories are filled with chance meetings and meaningful collaborations.
• Legacy means sharing stories: Bobby’s use of social media and his memoir serve to document and champion the genre’s history and his own journey.
• Real connections and storytelling over chasing trends: Bobby exemplifies the classic country tradition, focusing on truth, emotion, and humanity in song.
• Embrace growth, cherish your roots, and never lose the fire.

Learn More

• Bobby Tomberlin's memoir “I've Lived Country Music”: bobbytomberlinmusic.com and Amazon.
• Connect with Bobby on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for music history and stories.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone inspired by country music, Nashville’s rich legacy, or looking for timeless wisdom from behind the scenes of the industry.