The Free Beer & Hot Wings syndicated morning show has announced that co-host Eric Zane has departed the show.
Zane had been with the show as a producer and co-host since 2000 when it was based at WBON Knoxville TN after competing against them at 103.5 WIMZ. The show moved to WTHK Trenton NJ and finally Townsquare Media’s 97.9 WGRD Grand Rapids, where it has been based since 2004 and began national syndication.
The statement released by the show indicates that the decision to let go of Zane was made by Townsquare. He had been off the air since February 4 with no comments made by the program as to why.
The time has finally come for us to address the extended absence of Eric Zane. We can now confirm that Zane is no longer a part of the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show. Our parent company and he have severed ties which means that it is impossible for us to carry on with him. We had some truly great times together and hoped that it would stay that way until the end, however we’ve been in this game a long time and that’s often the nature of the business. He is still our friend and brother and always will be.
Details are still being worked out between all parties involved which means as of now, we quite literally are not at liberty to give specific details beyond confirmation of his departure. This is not a scenario we ever hoped we’d find ourselves in and obviously didn’t ask for, but here we are. This has been incredibly difficult and weird for ALL involved and we appreciate your understanding. Right now, we ask that you let us handle this like the internal family issue it is. We are all real people with real emotions dealing with real things that affect us all directly. Finger pointing, blame, attacks or misguided speculation are not helpful.
So that’s it. For now. The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show goes on.
We’ll tell you more when we can…unless we can’t. Forward we go. We hope you come with us. We can’t do it without you.
-The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show
Zane himself took to Twitter to release a statement on his own behalf:
Hello. So the cat is out of the bag, I'm learning. My time with FBHW has ended. I have lots to say, but now is not the time. (Cont)
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
Honestly I've not had the strength to even think. Posting just this set of tweets is very difficult. I'm spending most of (cont)
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
…of my time with my family. Thanks to the people who've approached them and passed on nice thoughts and words to comfort them. (Cont)
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
I'll say this: Thank you to the fans of the show for supporting. I never meant it when I said "the worst audience in radio." Haha! (Cont)
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
Please keep following me on Twitter as this is my only outlet and I'll need this to insult performances like Gaga mudering Bowie.
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
Thank you again and goodbye. The cat just dropped a deuce and it got way too much air time.
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
And I would be remiss if I didn't say that I will always cherish my time with fbhw and will always love them very much.
— Eric Zane Show Podcast (@ericzaneshow) February 16, 2016
The show will continue on with Gregg “Free Beer” Daniels, Chris “Hot Wings” Michaels, Producer Joe and Steve.
