Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?

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, Joe Gassmann, Kelly Cheesborough and executive producer Steve McKiernan.[1][2][3] The show is syndicated throughout America, and is distributed by Compass Media Networks.

The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show has also guest hosted The Dan Patrick Show on multiple occasions.[4]

Former MembersRoleStartEnd
Eric Zane Host 2/17/2016[5]
Producer Justin Producer 11/16/2018[6]

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Meet the Show

Meet the ShowFree Beer and Hot Wings2022-09-16T08:10:22-04:00

The Free Beer & Hot Wings Show is hosted by Gregg “Free Beer” Daniels, Chris “Hot Wings” Michels, Joe, Steve and Kelly.

A Brief History of the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show

Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?
The Free Beer & Hot Wings Show began as an afternoon show in Omaha, NE at non-commercial radio station KIWR in March of 1997. The Show, comprised of former Central Michigan University roommates Gregg Daniels and Chris Michels, eventually moved to mornings several months later where they remained until the summer of 2000. At that time, they moved on to WBON in Knoxville, TN. In June of 2002, The Show moved to New Jersey, where they were simulcast on WTHK in Trenton and WCHR on the Jersey Shore. The Free Beer & Hot Wings Show began full syndication in 2004 with the addition of WGRD in Grand Rapids, MI. Joe joined the show in 2005, followed by Steve in 2009 and Kelly in 2019. The show is now heard on radio stations in 26 different states.

Where Did the Name Come From?

Instead of calling the show ‘The Gregg and Chris Show,’ which by all estimations would have been the most boring sounding radio show in the world, the decision was made to call it The Free Beer & Hot Wings Show, which seemed far more attention-grabbing. It was admittedly nothing more than a cheap ploy to get people to listen under the false pretense that they may actually have a chance to win beer and/or hot wings. It was not intended that those two things would become permanently synonymous and attached to Gregg and Chris as nicknames, but that’s what happened and now they have to live with the consequences of their B.S. forever.


The Show

Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?

Gregg “Free Beer” Daniels Host

One of the founding members of the show since its inception in March of 1997, Free Beer sets up most of the bits on the show. Free Beer is known for many verbal screw-ups, a vast sports knowledge, and occasionally laughing like Ricky Ricardo from old episodes of “I Love Lucy”. Occasionally known on the show by the alternate nicknames “Burn King” and “El Matador”, Free Beer spends free time playing basketball and hanging with his sons Henry, Oliver and Hayden. On the side, Free Beer is the lead play by play announcer for Compass Media Networks coverage of the national game of the week, as well as handling some NFL and college basketball games.

Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?

Chris “Hot Wings” Michels Host

Hot Wings, the other founding member of the show, grew up in the Detroit area doing unathletic things with his friends like riding bikes, playing Army, making stupid videos and lighting small fires. Hot Wings knew he wanted to be in radio since he was 14 and got laughs doing a fake radio show in his Speech class.  Hot Wings, also known as “Mayor of Awesometown” and “Minista of Flava”, loves cars but hates people who put bumper stickers on them. He also believes that the number of stickers on someones car is directly proportional to how bad the driver is. He used to write daily commentaries about politics and pop culture called What Hot Wings Thinks but quit when everyone became a baby and he ran out of ways and reasons to insult the Kardashians. He is oddly and prematurely knowledgeable about trees, a skill he picked up from his father who wears black socks and dress shoes with shorts and has a tendency to singe his hair around gas grills. Hot Wings believes he can tell time just by looking at the sun. He likes home improvement and knows just enough to be a pain in his own ass, taking on projects that seem easy, but take him weeks to complete. Hot Wings is divorced and anxiously awaits a hot, wealthy woman to come along and take an interest in him or, at the very least, more realistic and more affordable sex A.I.  He has two young sons that he hopes never read this bio.

Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?

Joe Gassmann Host

Joe was born in Chicago, IL and raised on the talk radio and comedy that the city cultivates. He briefly studied writing and improv at The Second City, but found a true passion hosting a widely praised* radio show at the Illinois Institute of Technology (an institution he did not attend – not even briefly).

Following an internship at WRIF on The Drew & Mike Show, he was brought on as the Executive Producer of The Free Beer & Hot Wings Show. This was the position he held from 2005 – 2015. In 2016 he moved into the role of host, alongside Free Beer and Hot Wings.

While he is happily known for his knowledge of pop culture, sarcastic humor, and spontaneous wit, he holds disdain for those who choose to celebrate his downsides – of which there are many. That being said, he accepts the onus of his position as senseless, stubborn overeater and cultivates these impressions for the sake of humor and not because these traits are an actual representation of him.

Joe is an avid rock climber, hiker, and cyclist. He spends his free time traveling. So far, he has been to Wisconsin and Idaho. His writing has been featured in various publications as well as on the show. Also, his laugh is described as loathsome, infectious and that of a small girl.

* I assume…

Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?

Steve Executive Producer

Steve was born and raised in Jersey, which many people are surprised to hear is referred to as “The Garden State.” He attended Monmouth University and after realizing that he had no desire to take Microeconomics, he figured he’d be a Radio major and work for the college radio station, WMCX. Some highlights include interviewing awful bands, saying the F-word on the air a few times and excelling at mediocre radio. This led to a job working for a number of years at 105.7 The Hawk, which is where his paths crossed with the Free Beer and Hot Wings show. Initially a board op, Steve eventually worked his way up to the position of Assistant Program Director of the station. He then worked for the NHL in New York City for a year. And now he’s here.

Steve is married to his wife Annette, who he met on stage while playing “The Dating Game” at a Live at Night show in 2014. He considers himself to be “literally the worst game show prize ever.” Together, they are trying not to screw up the lives of their children Evelyn and Nicholas too badly.

Follow Steve on Twitter and Instagram.

Where does free beer and hot wings broadcast from?

Kelly Producer

Kelly “Cheese” Cheesborough is the newest addition to the FBHW family and landed here by way of Atlanta, GA. Not to be confused with “HOTLANTA” – which she swears is not a place. Kelly’s a military brat with four brothers and often compares her big crazy family to the early 2000’s sitcom Seventh Heaven.

Kelly got her start in radio as a mid-day gal on an alternative station in “HOTLANTA” by free style rapping her resume. True story. A few years later she landed a gig with a morning show as a producer and co-host and that’s how we met the Cheese.

While she’s known for her love of corn dogs, you can also find Kelly on her yoga mat or hanging out with her cat Shadow. Or any cat. Or puppies. Or babies. When she’s not obsessing over a strangers puppy or an adorable child, she’s out and about exploring the city through breweries, live music, day festivals and good food.

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Why did Zane get fired from free beer?

Zane earlier said he was fired from "Free Beer and Hot Wings" in February for comments about the DeltaPlex and its owner. He told WZZM he refused a severance offer and was put on a 30-day non-compete before being able to start a new program.

Where can I listen to the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show?

The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show | Free Internet Radio | TuneIn.

What station is free beer and hot wings in Detroit?

The Free Beer & Hot Wings Show – Channel 1450.

Who is Kelly cheese?

Kelly “Cheese” Cheesborough is the newest addition to the FBHW family and landed here by way of Atlanta, GA. Not to be confused with “HOTLANTA” – which she swears is not a place. Kelly's a military brat with four brothers and often compares her big crazy family to the early 2000's sitcom Seventh Heaven.