Pat Gray
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the former F.B.I. director, see L. Patrick Gray
- Note: Not to be confused with former Birmingham, Alabama newscaster Pat Gray.
Pat Gray is an American radio host, best known as the best friend and former on-air partner of nationally syndicated talk show host Glenn Beck.
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[edit] History
In 1990, Glenn found himself in a desperate crunch: four days before his new program was to air in Baltimore, Maryland, his writer/producer backed out. A friend suggested Pat for the job, warning Glenn that "you'll love him on the air, but probably hate him as a person." Glenn did interview Pat and offered him the position — but Pat turned it down.
However, after careful consideration, and some "gentle encouragement" (a smack in the head) from his wife, he accepted. The duo was an immediate hit, and worked together for years in both Baltimore and on KC101 in New Haven, Connecticut. Pat later left to do radio in Salt Lake City, Utah, where his show then went to #1.
[edit] 950 KPRC
While at KPRC, Gray hosted the morning drive time (5-9AM) slot in the morning. He used a variety of theme music before settling on an edited version of U2's "Vertigo", including the introduction count, the lyrics "Hello, hello", and replacing "I'm at a place called Vertigo" with "it's the Pat Gray Morning Show." On Wednesdays, he would host the "extended mix," taking the place of Michael Berry from 9-11AM. Friday morning theme introductions also included a recorded clip of Paul Harvey saying "Good morning Americans -- it’s Friday!"
Pat delighted in joining weekly with Ken Hoffman, a columnist for the Houston Chronicle ("Houston's Hometown Pravda," as Gray would call it), to discuss important political issues and, in his opinion, the extreme (in)fallibility of the Chronicle. He regularly played comedy bits and parody songs that dealt with current and often controversial events. When a story was too "emotional," Pat played the soothing theme song for one of his favorite ice cream brands, Blue Bell. When broaching topics of a sensitive nature or sarcasically feigning sensitivity towards a subject, he played the theme from the movie Brian's Song.
Other comedy bits included the Pufferfish, Helen Thomas as the Sexiest Woman Alive, the "We don't know that we have to..." illegal alien skit, frequent references to Michael Jackson, and a reference to his philosophy that "if it's in the [Houston] Chronicle, it's so; and if it's not in the Chronicle, it didn't happen.".
[edit] 700 KSEV
On December 12, 2006 Pat began co-hosting KSEV's morning show with Edd Hendee. His website, Patgray.com, hosts podcasts of the daily shows.
Gray and Beck remain best friends and contribute to each other's show on a regular basis. Pat is the talent behind such radio personalities as Bill Rogers, Richard Nibler, and Bob Yohansen.
He also stands in for Mr. Beck on his radio show when Beck is absent.
[edit] Religion
Gray is a Latter-day Saint.[1]
