Free Beer and Hot Wings Show Celebrates 30 Years Together

From college friendships to chaotic first encounters, here's how the iconic radio crew originally crossed paths.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:07am

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The Free Beer and Hot Wings radio show has been on the air for nearly 30 years, with the core crew of Free Beer, Hot Wings, and Steve having worked together for over a decade. But how did this iconic group first meet and start their long-running partnership? The story involves college friendships, peculiar first encounters, and internships that led to full-time roles.

Why it matters

The longevity and chemistry of the Free Beer and Hot Wings show is a rarity in the radio industry, where talent turnover is often high. Understanding how this crew originally came together provides insight into the strong bonds and collaborative dynamic that have allowed the show to thrive for nearly three decades.

The details

Free Beer and Hot Wings became friends right away in college, but their first meeting with Steve was more unusual - the two were holding onto the spoiler of Steve's car during a parade when the 21-year-old Steve met the then 29-year-old Free Beer. Maitlynn's path to the show started with an interview she did with Hot Wings, which led to an internship and then a full-time role. Meanwhile, Kelly and Tommy both joined the crew after successful interviews, with Kelly having radio experience in Atlanta prior to coming on board in 2019.

  • Free Beer and Hot Wings became friends in college.
  • Steve joined the show over a decade ago.
  • Maitlynn is nearing a decade with the show, starting as an intern.
  • Kelly has worked with the crew for about 7 years.
  • Tommy is in his third year with the show.

The players

Free Beer and Hot Wings

The co-hosts and founding members of the iconic radio show, who have worked together for nearly 30 years.

Steve

A long-time member of the Free Beer and Hot Wings show, having joined over a decade ago.

Maitlynn

A member of the Free Beer and Hot Wings show, having started as an intern and now nearing a decade with the crew.

Kelly

A member of the Free Beer and Hot Wings show, having joined the crew in 2019 after radio experience in Atlanta.

Tommy

A relatively new member of the Free Beer and Hot Wings show, having joined the crew in his third year.

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What they’re saying

“They say first impressions are everything. That can be a pretty intimidating concept, especially when you're working a job that relies on you having good chemistry and being able to talk to each other for 4 hours straight, 5 days a week. So it's a good thing that, after many years of knowing and working together, we're all still great friends and enjoy each other's company.”

— Michael Buck

What’s next

The Free Beer and Hot Wings show is expected to celebrate its 30th anniversary on-air later this year, marking a major milestone for the long-running program.

The takeaway

The enduring success of the Free Beer and Hot Wings show is a testament to the strong personal bonds and collaborative dynamic that the crew has developed over nearly three decades working together. Their ability to maintain chemistry and camaraderie, even through changes in the lineup, is a rarity in the radio industry.