Greg Williams (radio personality)
Encyclopedia
Greg "Greggo" Williams is an American
radio personality. Williams is co-host of the sports sports talk program RAGE (Richie and Greggo Extravaganza) with Richie Witt. It airs at 2pm-7pm on KRLD-FM, "The Fan" 105.3, in Dallas, Texas
. Williams first became popular as 'The Hammer', Mike Rhyner
's partner on KTCK
's top-rated The Hardline drivetime
show, but his tenure there ended abruptly in 2008 after 13 years on the air.
. In the early 1990s Williams hosted a public-access television
show called Sports Perspective.
It was also in the early 1990s that he first partnered with Mike Rhyner, with whom "Greggo" would become well-known in the DFW area as co-host of the local hit radio show The Hardline. Rhyner, once "sports guy" on KZEW
's much-lauded The Morning Zoo with Rody & LaBella, launched all-sports station KTCK in 1994, taking Williams with him to co-anchor the all-important drivetime slot.
The show was an immediate hit, and remains a top-rated sports talk show in its market still. Williams and Rhyner won a national accaimed Marconi award from their efforts. Greggo was recognized as a top ten radio sports personaility in the Nation, and the Hardline was constantly #1 in Arbitron ratings Men 25-54 demographic. Williams talents helped award the Hardline the #1 slot in DFW Arbirton ratings (men 25-52 demographic) for a decade. However, William's battle with cocaine
addiction
by mid-2007 led to his very sudden departure from the show (often described as "mid-syllable").
During 2007, a series of on- and off-air incidents had led to increased tension between the two hosts. On October 12, 2007, Williams was late for a live remote that The Hardline was doing that day, and did only one on-air segment before disappearing for unannounced reasons. Williams later admitted that program director Jeff Catlin had ordered him to take an immediate drug test, which Williams declined, because, as he later admitted, he "couldn't pass it". It was Williams' last show on KTCK.
Williams went into treatment for his addiction, while the station was prevented by privacy laws from discussing his situation in any way (as he was currently an employee on leave for medical treatment). However, his sudden absence was quickly noted by long-time fans, and became a "hot topic" of local discussion, leading to "Where's Greggo?" signs at KTCK remotes, and sightings reported in local newspapers such as The Dallas Observer. On The Hardline, Rhyner and Corby Davidson
refused to comment on Williams' disappearance, eventually making a punch-line of both it, and Williams. His many "drops" (bits of dialog recorded from previous shows or interviews) were played back, along with less-than-subtle references to drug usage, such as playing Amy Winehouse
's "Rehab" or Eric Clapton
's "Cocaine
" when coming back from commercials.
On December 20 KTCK was sent a "Cease and Desist" letter from Williams' attorneys preventing the station from referencing the former co-worker in any way by name or by on-air drops. On January 10, 2008 KTCK announced that Greg Williams had "resigned" from The Ticket. Greggo, however, maintained he had been fired, and claimed the company had given him (after 13 years) one month's severance pay.
On May 19, 2008, Williams announced that he had been officially diagnosed with depression and is currently taking prescription drugs to fight it. A few months later, in a cover story in the Dallas Observer, Williams described the entire series of events, admitting to cocaine abuse and other difficulties.
On September 8, 2008, Greg Williams began hosting a show called GameNight with Choppy & Greggo on 103.3 FM ESPN in Dallas with RJ Choppy.
On May 5, 2009, he reportedly was incoherent in comments made on the evening show he hosted with R.J. Choppy, and did not subsequently return. His claim has been that his doctor had made adjustments to his depression medication. It was eventually confirmed by Dallas Observer
staff writer Richie Whitt that Williams was officially no longer working at ESPN Radio. However, Williams stated the actual reason he resigned from ESPN was due to station management refusing him to use the on air antics that he had found much success with on KTCK. Williams quoted "They wanted me to be bring the Ticket format to them, but they (ESPN) wouldn't allow me, to be me...so I quit. I play to win, I know how to win, if a program director will not allow me to run touchdown plays, I prefer to sit on the bench."
There were rumors around mid-June 2009 that Williams would return to the Dallas-Fort Worth airwaves as a guest on The Richard Hunter Show, hosted by former KTCK host Richard "Big Dick" Hunter, broadcast on Rational Radio KMNY
1360 AM. This happened on July 1, 2009, and again on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7 July. Hunter commented that this was "the talk radio equivalent of a jam session" and he had wanted to have on Williams before Williams went to ESPN radio, but was not able to do so because of a contractual conflict. By July 22 however, he had seemingly begun a regular role on the show.
In December 2009, he returned to the airwaves as co-host of The Show with John Clay and Greggo, a syndicated sports talk program, alongside John Clay Wolfe
. Williams broadcast from a studio in Fort Worth, Texas
, although the flagship station
for the program is Wolfe-owned KSEY ("ESPN 1230") in Wichita Falls, Texas
. That show ended in February 2010 when Williams and Wolfe were unable to agree on financial terms. Since May 2010, Williams has co-hosted the sports sports talk program RAGE (Richie and Greggo Extravaganza) with Richie Whitt. It airs at 2pm-7pm on KRLD-FM, "The Fan" 105.3, in Dallas, Texas
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio personality. Williams is co-host of the sports sports talk program RAGE (Richie and Greggo Extravaganza) with Richie Witt. It airs at 2pm-7pm on KRLD-FM, "The Fan" 105.3, in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. Williams first became popular as 'The Hammer', Mike Rhyner
Mike Rhyner
Michael Rhyner is a radio sports talk personality on "The Ticket", KTCK Sports Radio 1310 a.m. / 104.1 FM in the Dallas area. His show, "The Hardline", is the afternoon staple of the station.He is a band member of Petty Theft....
's partner on KTCK
KTCK
KTCK , is a sports talk radio station based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station, currently owned by Cumulus Media, has been made popular by the incorporation of humor alongside the sports talk....
's top-rated The Hardline drivetime
DriveTime
DriveTime Automotive Group Inc., based in Phoenix, Arizona, is the largest used car seller and automobile finance company focusing on buyers with credit problems. The company has 88 dealerships in 36 U.S. metropolitan areas, and more than 2000 employees...
show, but his tenure there ended abruptly in 2008 after 13 years on the air.
Career
Robert Gregory Williams was born in 1960 to parents "Junior" and Patsy Williams. Greg was a "service brat" living overseas until he was 13. In 1981 his only son Derek was born in Fort Worth. He started his career in Dallas radio at WBAP-820 as co-host and show producer of popular host/columnist Randy GallowayRandy Galloway
George Randolph "Randy" Galloway is the host of Galloway and Company, the drive-time program on KESN 103.3 FM, ESPN Radio's Dallas affiliate and also heard on ESPN Xtra on XM Radio. He is also a sports columnist for the Ft...
. In the early 1990s Williams hosted a public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
show called Sports Perspective.
It was also in the early 1990s that he first partnered with Mike Rhyner, with whom "Greggo" would become well-known in the DFW area as co-host of the local hit radio show The Hardline. Rhyner, once "sports guy" on KZEW
KZEW
KZEW is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Wheatland, Wyoming, USA, the station is currently owned by Smith Broadcasting, Incorporated, and features programming from CNN Radio and Dial Global....
's much-lauded The Morning Zoo with Rody & LaBella, launched all-sports station KTCK in 1994, taking Williams with him to co-anchor the all-important drivetime slot.
The show was an immediate hit, and remains a top-rated sports talk show in its market still. Williams and Rhyner won a national accaimed Marconi award from their efforts. Greggo was recognized as a top ten radio sports personaility in the Nation, and the Hardline was constantly #1 in Arbitron ratings Men 25-54 demographic. Williams talents helped award the Hardline the #1 slot in DFW Arbirton ratings (men 25-52 demographic) for a decade. However, William's battle with cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
addiction
Substance dependence
The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...
by mid-2007 led to his very sudden departure from the show (often described as "mid-syllable").
During 2007, a series of on- and off-air incidents had led to increased tension between the two hosts. On October 12, 2007, Williams was late for a live remote that The Hardline was doing that day, and did only one on-air segment before disappearing for unannounced reasons. Williams later admitted that program director Jeff Catlin had ordered him to take an immediate drug test, which Williams declined, because, as he later admitted, he "couldn't pass it". It was Williams' last show on KTCK.
Williams went into treatment for his addiction, while the station was prevented by privacy laws from discussing his situation in any way (as he was currently an employee on leave for medical treatment). However, his sudden absence was quickly noted by long-time fans, and became a "hot topic" of local discussion, leading to "Where's Greggo?" signs at KTCK remotes, and sightings reported in local newspapers such as The Dallas Observer. On The Hardline, Rhyner and Corby Davidson
Corby Davidson
Corby Davidson, is an American radio personality.Also known as "The Snake", "Corra", "The Cobra", "Friendly Cobra", "Cobbie", "The Human 'Human Centipede'", "Jibby", "Plantation Corby" and "Mr. Sex", is an American radio personality who co-hosts The Hardline with Mike "The Tube" Rhyner on sports...
refused to comment on Williams' disappearance, eventually making a punch-line of both it, and Williams. His many "drops" (bits of dialog recorded from previous shows or interviews) were played back, along with less-than-subtle references to drug usage, such as playing Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
's "Rehab" or Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
's "Cocaine
Cocaine (song)
"Cocaine" is a song written and recorded by JJ Cale in 1976 and most widely known in a cover version recorded by Eric Clapton. Allmusic calls the latter "among [Clapton's] most enduringly popular hits" and notes that "even for an artist like Clapton with a huge body of high-quality work, 'Cocaine'...
" when coming back from commercials.
On December 20 KTCK was sent a "Cease and Desist" letter from Williams' attorneys preventing the station from referencing the former co-worker in any way by name or by on-air drops. On January 10, 2008 KTCK announced that Greg Williams had "resigned" from The Ticket. Greggo, however, maintained he had been fired, and claimed the company had given him (after 13 years) one month's severance pay.
On May 19, 2008, Williams announced that he had been officially diagnosed with depression and is currently taking prescription drugs to fight it. A few months later, in a cover story in the Dallas Observer, Williams described the entire series of events, admitting to cocaine abuse and other difficulties.
On September 8, 2008, Greg Williams began hosting a show called GameNight with Choppy & Greggo on 103.3 FM ESPN in Dallas with RJ Choppy.
On May 5, 2009, he reportedly was incoherent in comments made on the evening show he hosted with R.J. Choppy, and did not subsequently return. His claim has been that his doctor had made adjustments to his depression medication. It was eventually confirmed by Dallas Observer
Dallas Observer
The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper...
staff writer Richie Whitt that Williams was officially no longer working at ESPN Radio. However, Williams stated the actual reason he resigned from ESPN was due to station management refusing him to use the on air antics that he had found much success with on KTCK. Williams quoted "They wanted me to be bring the Ticket format to them, but they (ESPN) wouldn't allow me, to be me...so I quit. I play to win, I know how to win, if a program director will not allow me to run touchdown plays, I prefer to sit on the bench."
There were rumors around mid-June 2009 that Williams would return to the Dallas-Fort Worth airwaves as a guest on The Richard Hunter Show, hosted by former KTCK host Richard "Big Dick" Hunter, broadcast on Rational Radio KMNY
KMNY
KMNY KMNY KMNY (1360 AM, is a radio station in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, which broadcasts on 1360 kHz and is under ownership of Multicultural Broadcasting...
1360 AM. This happened on July 1, 2009, and again on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7 July. Hunter commented that this was "the talk radio equivalent of a jam session" and he had wanted to have on Williams before Williams went to ESPN radio, but was not able to do so because of a contractual conflict. By July 22 however, he had seemingly begun a regular role on the show.
In December 2009, he returned to the airwaves as co-host of The Show with John Clay and Greggo, a syndicated sports talk program, alongside John Clay Wolfe
John Clay Wolfe
John Clay Wolfe is an American radio personality and entrepreneur, who resides in Fort Worth, Texas.Wolfe also hosts syndicated radio car show The Real Deal, broadcast each Saturday morning in Dallas Rock station , Houston's ESPN , Amarillo JackFM , Wichita Falls both , Austin, Texas The big...
. Williams broadcast from a studio in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, although the flagship station
Flagship station
In broadcasting, a flagship is the broadcast which originates a television network, or a particular radio show or TV show, primarily in the United States and Canada. This includes both direct network feeds and broadcast syndication, but generally not backhauls...
for the program is Wolfe-owned KSEY ("ESPN 1230") in Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
. That show ended in February 2010 when Williams and Wolfe were unable to agree on financial terms. Since May 2010, Williams has co-hosted the sports sports talk program RAGE (Richie and Greggo Extravaganza) with Richie Whitt. It airs at 2pm-7pm on KRLD-FM, "The Fan" 105.3, in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
.