The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show
Radio show
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show is a syndicated morning talk radio show broadcast primarily from the Townsquare Media radio station WGRD-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The show is hosted by Gregg "Free Beer" Daniels, Chris "Hot Wings" Michels, executive producer Steve McKiernan, producer Kelly Cheesborough and Maitlynn Mossolle. Phone-screener, Tommy McNeil joined the team in January 2024.[1][2][3] The show is syndicated throughout America, and is distributed by Compass Media Networks.
- Gregg "Free Beer" Daniels
- Chris "Hot Wings" Michels
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| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Home station | WGRD-FM (Grand Rapids) |
| Syndicates | Compass Media Networks |
| Hosted by |
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| Produced by |
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| Website | www |
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show has also guest hosted The Dan Patrick Show on multiple occasions.[4]
Holiday Break-in
Every December, the show solicits the nomination by their listeners of needy families to be the recipients of the Holiday Break-in for those unable to buy holiday gifts. Once the recipients are selected, participating radio affiliates break into the houses of these families (with the assistance of the nominator, a locksmith, and local police) and bring the holidays where there would be none.[7]
Awards
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show won the Michigan Association of Broadcasters award in 2005[8] 2006,[9] and 2007.[10]
Free Beer and Hot Wings won the RadioContraband Rock Radio Award for "Syndicated Morning Show of the Year" in 2013 and 2014[11]
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show was a nominee for the 2024 induction class of the Radio Hall of Fame.[12]
Controversies
In early 2018, producer Joseph "Joe" Gassmann was arrested in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage county, for two counts of domestic battery, which are Class A misdemeanors in Illinois. Townsquare Media released a statement:
"As you may be aware, Joe Gassmann of The Free Beer and Hot Wings show was arrested after a domestic altercation this past Saturday night. Joe has been suspended and will not be appearing on the show, pending resolution of the police investigation of the matter."[13] The charges were eventually dropped and Joe returned to the show near the end of May 2018.[14]