Bruce has, since coming to Blue Ridge Country 98 in 2002, come to be known as ‘The NightRider’ (a name given him by his listeners whom he affectionately refers to as his “NightRide Family”) and is the creator, producer, host and copyright owner of ‘The NightRide With Bruce Hodges.’
Says Hodges, “The NightRide is difficult to explain. It’s far more than just entertainment. It’s life as it happens ….. but with a twist. It’s truly an effort to get the NightRide Family safely through the night with music, humor, clean and well intentioned banter, breaking news from around the world as well as road information for those traveling the four major interstate corridors in our FM listening area. But there’s more. Interwoven throughout ‘The NightRide’ is a thread of spirituality and perspective that translates the events that shape our world each night and corroborates the statement by Lou Holtz years ago: ‘Nothing’s ever as good as it seems; Nothing’s ever as bad as it seems; And somewhere, in between there, falls reality.’ The combination of these things, along with the fierce loyalty of the NightRide Family, make it the most unique ride on radio.”
Since the inception of ‘The NightRide’ in 2002, Hodges has worked to achieve an unprecedented level of listener interactivity with the show and has provided the official NightRide website (NightRideOnline.com) complete with featured artists gallery, informational resources, a “shout box” for song requests, a guestbook, an updated audio library of family member comments and a chat room which Hodges’ staff manages tightly to assure a clean, respectful environment for NightRide Family members all over the world to get to know each other. Hodges has also incorporated a toll free request line free of charge within the continental US and Canada. Further, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised out of the generosity of The NightRide Family to provide long distance calling cards to America’s troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Says Hodges, “The best way to get to know ‘The NightRide’ is to experience it … to interact with it!”
Hodges has, for over forty-three years, continued to be involved in and support Boy Scouts Of America and is, himself, an Eagle Scout and Vigil member of The Order Of The Arrow. He is also an ordained minister whose work for over 33 years has included professional pastoral counseling and interim pastorates. Yet, he has also worked in the corporate world rising to the international management of customer relations for one of the top insurance companies in the United States before returning to his Mount Airy, North Carolina home in 2000.
Hodges is a graduate of North Surry High School in Mount Airy, North Carolina … holds a BA degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro … and a Master’s degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC. In addition he has completed educational courses through KASET International in Tampa, Florida; Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sociological research studies at North Carolina State University in Raleigh; and, Business Institute certification at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
“Finally,” says Hodges, “No two people are likely to experience The NightRide in exactly the same way. God controls that. I can tell you that ‘The NightRide’ is not religious at all, but it IS spiritual. It is not at all political, but it IS patriotic. And, it is one of the few radio shows with a written purpose and objective which can be found on our official NightRide website.” In any case, there will be no mistaking where you are on your night time radio dial when you hear Bruce utter the words that have rolled through the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond since June of 2002:
"You’re On The NightRide ….. The Most Unique Ride On Radio!"