For veteran radio personality Marty McFly, launching McFly and The Ride isn’t just about creating another syndicated Country radio show. It’s about creating a true partnership with stations and reimagining what syndication can deliver in both content and revenue.
McFly has partnered with longtime friend and collaborator Stew James.
After nearly four decades in the business, McFly says the timing couldn’t be better.
“I now never want to have my eggs all in one basket going forward. So, I’ve been thinking about this for years, but now’s the right time,” he said.
A Show That Works With Stations, Not Just For Them
What sets McFly and The Ride apart? According to McFly, it’s not just the chemistry or the music; it’s the business model. Rather than just pitching a plug-and-play show to stations, McFly is offering a true revenue partnership.
“We want to help you make money or help a station make money. And that’s outside doing breaks that resonate with listeners. Goal number two is to work with radio stations to help them make money by running our show and other revenue resources as well.”
That concept was battle-tested in Cookeville, Tennessee, where McFly provided a show that wasn’t just entertaining; it helped drive real financial results.
“Visiting with clients and working with clients and making the show in Cookeville make money for that radio station was kind of the groundwork for saying okay, we can do this for other stations.”
And McFly is clear that the show isn’t free, but it’s affordable and offers real ROI.
“The cost of our show is less than a minimum wage part-time person. But we can cover that cost and be a profitable show for a radio station.”
The metric of success, he says, isn’t about the number of affiliates; it’s about results.
“The only way to be successful is to get a letter from the stations that we work with at the end of this thing saying, yes, we were successful with this show because it was great content, and we make money off the show.”
What’s the Show Sound Like?
At its core, McFly and The Ride is a conversation between two longtime friends with deep roots in Country music.
“It sounds like two friends, because we are, that have been together for a long time. It’s easily relatable with what’s going on in pop culture or what’s going on that most people are talking about.”
And it’s not a celebrity-driven show dripping with industry name-drops. McFly distances himself from that approach.
“Most of the people I’m talking to are not pals with a Country music star. So, we try to be relatable with that. It’s not, ‘my boy Luke Combs is coming on.’ It’s not that kind of stuff.”
Instead, McFly and The Ride weaves Country music into the narrative organically, with musical features and commentary that feel authentic to the format and the audience.
“It feels like two guys sitting in your backseat talking about things that are circulating within your world.”
Country artist Morgan Alexander, a longtime friend of McFly’s, adds a layer of music credibility as part of the team.
“Morgan used to work part-time for me when I was PD at WKDF, so that’s where I first met him. And so, it adds an extra layer.”
Authenticity and Storytelling: The Show’s Core Values
Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword for McFly, it’s the foundation. And storytelling, he says, is a skill that sets good talent apart.
“Storytelling is important, and that is a learned craft. The best stories, the absolute best stories, are the ones taken from your personal life that actually happen, that people can relate to.”
He believes storytelling is about timing, knowing when to stop, and making the story land.
“Great storytelling is knowing when to stop the story and how to get to the endpoint.”
Built by a Student of the Greats
McFly’s radio roots run deep in Nashville, and his influences are radio legends. Each known for unique strengths.
“The local radio legend was Coyote McCloud here in Nashville. The disc jockeys were Coyote McLeod, Carl P. Mayfield, and Gerry House.”
“Carl P Mayfield could take a grain of salt and make it a beach. Jerry was witty and so relatable to his audience.”
While McFly is quick to say he can’t replicate the magic of those broadcasters, he cherishes the connections he made with them.
“I was friends with Coyote, filled in for him when he was sick a few times. I filled in for Jerry when he was on vacation. And I sat in the same studio seat Carl P. did at KDF.”
A True Partnership: The Elevator Pitch
McFly’s not just looking for affiliates. He’s looking for partners.
“We don’t want to offer you a show if you’re a station. If you’re a manager, we want to be your partner.”
That means open communication, direct access to McFly and his team, and a customized experience for every market.
“I don’t know how many people you work with who have the host’s cell phone number. But you’ve got mine. If you need help with something, we’re your partner.”
And it’s not just a matter of plugging in a time slot.
“We’re a partner that fits your needs. If you run a radio station, it will sound like we’re on your radio station. A living, breathing part of it, not just a show you put on.”
Final Word
With McFly and The Ride, Marty McFly isn’t reinventing the wheel. But he is approaching syndication by focusing on what local radio needs most: relatable content, revenue generation, and true collaboration.
“We want to be your friend. We don’t want to be just a show you put on.”
Find out more about the show by contacting syndicator Radio Resources here.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
