
Chick McGee, born Charles Dean Hayes, is a radio personality best known for his work on The Bob & Tom Show, where he has been a fixture for 38 years. McGee joined the show in 1985 or 1986 as its announcer and comic foil, and his duties expanded to include recapping sports news. In 1995, he left the show to host another show in San Diego but quickly returned to Bob & Tom, where he continued to work alongside the core cast, including Tom Griswold. McGee also started his own podcast in 2012, which gave listeners insight into his off-air personality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Radio personality | Chick McGee |
| Show | The Bob & Tom Show |
| Joined the show | April 1, 1985 or 1986 |
| Role | Announcer, recapping sports news, comic foil |
| Podcast | The Chick McGee Show (formerly Off the Air Podcast) |
| Podcast co-host | Jessica Hooker (former girlfriend) |
| Podcast content | Fat Kid Weekends, Anger Sweats, relationship with Hooker, etc. |
| Other work | Writer for TruLuvSports.com |
| Temporary departure from The Bob & Tom Show | January 1995- June 1995 |
| Reason for departure | Creative differences, homesickness, and co-host's resignation |
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What You'll Learn

Chick McGee's departure from 'Bob and Tom' in 1995
Chick McGee, born Charles Dean Hayes, is a radio personality best known for his work on the Bob & Tom Show, which airs on close to 100 radio stations across the country. McGee joined the show in 1985 as its announcer and comic foil.
In January 1995, after nine years on the show, McGee left to pursue a new opportunity as co-host of the Kevin & McGee show at KGB-FM in San Diego, California. However, after just six months, McGee resigned from his new position and returned to the Bob & Tom Show.
McGee cited several reasons for his short-lived departure, including creative differences, homesickness, and the resignation of his co-host. Upon his return to the Bob & Tom Show, McGee's chemistry with the core cast continued to grow, and he solidified his role as the combustible comic foil to host Tom Griswold.
McGee's career in radio began at a small 1,000-watt radio station in West Virginia, where he held various on-air positions before joining the Bob & Tom Show. He has also worked as a podcast host and writer for an online sports website.
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McGee's return to 'Bob and Tom'
Chick McGee, born Charles Dean Hayes, has been a fixture on Indianapolis radio for 38 years as a cast member of "The Bob & Tom Show". The show, which is heard on close to 100 radio stations across the country, was launched in 1983. McGee joined the show on April 1, 1985 (or 1986, according to another source). In January 1995, he left the show to become the co-host of "Kevin & McGee" at KGB-FM in San Diego, California. However, after six months, he resigned due to creative differences, homesickness, and the earlier resignation of his co-host.
McGee was quickly invited back to "The Bob & Tom Show," where his chemistry with the core cast continued to grow. Anyone who has listened to the show for more than a few weeks knows his central role: he's the combustible comic foil for host Tom Griswold, who likes to claim the intellectual high ground while Chick wears his heart on his sleeve.
In addition to his work on "The Bob & Tom Show," McGee has also pursued other projects. He started podcasting in 2012 with his then-girlfriend, Jessica Hooker. The podcast offered an insightful look into his off-air personality, covering topics like "Fat Kid Weekends," "Anger Sweats," and off-air radio stories. In 2014, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Fine Arts Hall of Fame of the London City Schools, and he was also hired as a writer for the online sports website TruLuvSports.com.
In recent years, McGee has continued to be a key part of "The Bob & Tom Show," even as the show has undergone various changes. In 2016, he discussed these changes on his podcast, reflecting on the departure of cast member Kristi Lee and the retirement of Bob Kevoian. Despite the emotions surrounding these transitions, McGee remains dedicated to broadcasting and making his audience laugh.
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McGee's role on the show
Chick McGee, whose real name is Charles Dean Hayes, joined The Bob & Tom Show on April 1, 1985 (or 1986, according to another source). He was a fixture on the show for 38 consecutive years, even counting the six months in 1995 when he moved to San Diego to host another show.
In addition to his role on The Bob & Tom Show, McGee also started podcasting in 2012. His podcast, co-hosted with his then-girlfriend Jessica Hooker, offered an insightful look into his off-air personality. McGee also defended the show against negative commentary, stating that people did not know what he or Griswold were going through.
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The 'Off the Air' podcast
Chick McGee, born Charles Dean Hayes, is a radio personality best known for his work on the long-running "Bob & Tom Show". However, he has also gained a dedicated following for his podcast, "Off the Air with Chick McGee", which offers an insightful look into his off-air personality.
McGee joined the "Bob & Tom Show" in 1985 or 1986, serving as the show's announcer and providing sports recaps and comic relief. In 1995, he took a brief hiatus from the show to co-host "Kevin & McGee" in San Diego but soon returned to "Bob & Tom", where he continued to be a central figure.
McGee started podcasting in 2012, with his former girlfriend, Jessica Hooker, as co-host. The podcast, originally titled "Off the Air", provided a platform for McGee to discuss a range of topics, from personal experiences like "Fat Kid Weekends" and "Anger Sweats" to his thoughts on the "Bob & Tom Show", particularly during a time of transition for the radio show. In a notable episode, McGee shared his feelings about the departure of his "Bob & Tom" co-star Kristi Lee, expressing his sadness over the changes to the show's dynamic.
McGee's podcast also delved into more serious subjects, such as his cardiac disease, happiness, regrets, and mortality. In one particularly revealing episode, McGee and Hooker discussed their relationship and separation, expressing their mutual hope for a future reconciliation.
After 188 episodes, "Off the Air" was renamed "The Chick McGee Show" in 2016. McGee's candid and heartfelt approach to podcasting has clearly resonated with listeners, providing a more intimate perspective on the radio personality beyond his "Bob & Tom" persona.
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McGee's personal life
Chick McGee, born Charles Dean Hayes (né Fout), is a radio personality best known for his work on The Bob & Tom Show. He joined the show on April 1, 1985 (or 1986, according to another source), and has been a fixture on Indianapolis radio for over 38 years.
McGee started podcasting in 2012, co-hosting with his then-girlfriend, Jessica Hooker. The podcast offered an insightful look into his off-air personality, as he talked about various topics, including "Fat Kid Weekends", "Anger Sweats", and his experiences in radio. In a particularly personal episode, McGee and Hooker revealed that they were no longer romantically involved but expressed hope to salvage their relationship in the future.
In addition to his podcasting and radio work, McGee was hired as a writer for the online sports website TruLuvSports.com in 2014. He also opened up about his health struggles during an episode of the IBJ Podcast, revealing that he has seven or eight stents as a result of cardiac disease.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick McGee is the pseudonym of Charles Dean Hayes, a radio personality who appears on The Bob & Tom Show.
Chick McGee joined The Bob & Tom Show on 1 April 1985 or 1986 as the show's announcer.
Chick McGee left The Bob & Tom Show in 1995 to host another show in San Diego, California. However, he quickly returned to The Bob & Tom Show due to creative differences, homesickness, and the resignation of his co-host.
Chick McGee started podcasting in 2012 and continues to be a fixture on Indianapolis radio as a cast member of The Bob & Tom Show.





















