Bobby Bones real name is Bobby Estell. He was born on April 2, 1980, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was raised by his mother and maternal grandmother. While still in college, Bones began working as a station hand at KLAZ in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was put on the air within a few days of being hired. A manager there gave him the choice of going on the air as Bobby Z or Bobby Bones, of which he chose the latter. Bones first full-time radio contract paid him $17,000. In 2002, Bones was hired by Q100/KQAR in Little Rock, Arkansas. He then worked for radio station (KLAL), which led to his hosting The Bobby Bones Show on KHFI-FM in Austin, Texas. Bones is also a New York Times best-selling author, comedian, musician, and television personality.