LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Radio waves were buzzing about the 2019 Country Music Awards on Wednesday afternoon, in a city that’s growing as much as country music itself is.
“Is there anything better than CMA award day? The answer is no,” says Big D, radio personality on 95.5 The Bull in the Las Vegas valley.
Nashville is sharing some of the country music spotlight, as Las Vegas itself has become a must stop for country artists.
“It’s unreal to see what country has done here,” says Big D.
Some of that credit goes to the rising popularity of country music itself.
“Five years ago some people would have been like, 'I'll never listen to country.' And now they’re like, 'Who’s your favorite artist?' So country has opened the eyes to people that might be more mainstream fans,” says Big D.
D says the lure for artists to Vegas is the history of the city, and artists are doing less visits on tours and more residencies.
“Back in the day were Elvis and The Rat Pack, and then going into pop like the Backstreet Boys. And now you’re starting to see just as many country residencies hit The Strip,” says Big D.
Another testament to how much the music scene has grown in Las Vegas, including the country genre, is that The Bull just moved their studios to downtown Las Vegas, increasing their presence in the city.
“It really was like well if we’re going to upgrade, we are going to upgrade big. We’re going to Fremont Street,” says Big D.
Big D has been on The Bull for nearly four years now, and has watched the country scene grow, all while playing an integral part of the scene himself everyday on the radio.
“We take pride in being much more than during your radio on, but being apart of the live country music scene as well,” says Big D.
