Gregg Hughes
| Gregg Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 23, 1963 Centerport, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | State University of New York at Geneseo |
| Show | The Opie Radio Show (2016–present) |
| Previous show(s) |
Opie and Anthony (1995–2014) Opie with Jim Norton (2014–16) |
| Spouse(s) | Lynsi Smigo (m. 2008) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | http://www.opieradio.com |
Gregg Hughes (born May 23, 1963), better known as his air name Opie, is an American radio personality best known as the former co-host of the Opie and Anthony radio show that aired from 1995 to 2014 with Anthony Cumia and comedian Jim Norton. From 2014 to 2016, Hughes and Norton stayed at SiriusXM as co-hosts of Opie with Jim Norton. In October 2016, Hughes became the host of his own show, The Opie Radio Show.
Hughes was born on May 23, 1963, and was raised in Centerport, New York on Long Island with a mother who he described as "pretty strict". He gained the nickname "Opie" because of his childhood resemblance to Opie Taylor, a fictional character from The Andy Griffith Show portrayed by Ron Howard. Hughes graduated from State University of New York at Geneseo with a degree in communications. He developed a taste for radio during his time at the university, working air shifts at the college radio station.
Following his graduation from university, Hughes landed a job in the promotions department at WCMF in Rochester, New York, but soon moved to work on the station's morning show, then hosted by Brother Wease. Hughes credits Wease as a mentor in developing his air personality and furthering his career. Hughes left WCMF to work the midnight to 6:00 a.m. shift at WUFX in Buffalo, New York. As the station was unsupervised during his shift, Hughes was able to develop his style further by performing more outrageous bits, like broadcasting from the roof of the station's building and interviewing passers by on the street.
Hughes' next job was at WBAB on Long Island as the host of The Nighttime Attitude, a rock music show from 8:00 p.m.to midnight. In August 1994, Hughes held an O.J. Simpson song parody contest for listeners surrounding the outcome of Simpson's murder case. One of the participants was from a local group named Rotgut that featured Anthony Cumia as lead singer with his brother Joe. The two performed "Gonna Electric Shock O.J." sung to the tune of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. The song became a hit on Hughes' show, and the two made their first appearance in September 1994 to perform the song live. Cumia made several more appearances soon after; in early 1995, he and Hughes decided to become radio team.
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