 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.The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show won the Michigan Association of Broadcasters award in 2005 2006, and 2007.Free Beer and Hot Wings won the RadioContraband Rock Radio Award for "Syndicated Morning Show of the Year" in 2013 and 2014

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.