Opie and Anthony Hold Bizarre Audition Process for New XM Line-up

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor


Radio giants Opie and Anthony, who returned to the burgeoning satellite radio market as a premium feature on XM Radio in October of last year, held a bizarre set of auditions for their “High Voltage” channel line-up on Friday.



When the subscriber-based XM service eliminates its premium options April 2nd (as part of its price restructuring drive), Opie and Anthony will find themselves filtered into the mainstream listening pool. The duo will have full input into the programming line-up featured on the revamped “High Voltage” channel (202 on the dial), which will add other programs in an effort to gain new listeners.


On their March 11th program, Opie and Anthony urged listeners to call in nationwide and let the duo listen to local terrestrial radio morning shows and see if they could “make the cut” for the new line-up on their stream. This strange audition process started when the boys listened in to show member Jim Norton’s appearance on Baltimore morning show “Kirk, Mark and Lopez” while promoting an area stand-up appearance.


Shows that made an appearance via telephone on the program included Worcester, MA’s “Hillman Morning Show,” Boston, MA’s “Lorne and Wally Show” and Ocean, NJ’s “Freebeer and Hotwings Show.” Very few of the shows “auditioned” during the process seemed worthy of making the cut for the new “High Voltage” line-up, which arrives as part of the duo’s shift from a 6 AM to a 7 AM program start. Despite all being morning shows, the shows up for evaluation by Opie and Anthony would be candidates to fill the space after the duo sign off at 11 AM. Currently, the channel features back-to-back replays of “The Opie and Anthony Show” following the conclusion of the live stream.



The rumor mill was successfully fueled during the “audition” process as well. Featured in the slue of terrestrial radio programs that morning was a show by the name of “Dan and Dan.” Attentive listeners could identify the quick segment as Washington, DC’s “Ron and Fez Show,” which airs each weeknight on WJFK-FM. Opie and Anthony are longtime friends and associates of the hosts of the aforementioned show, Ron Bennington and Fez Whatley, following their shared time on New York City’s WNEW-FM (often under the moniker of "The AFRO [Anthony, Fez, Ron, Opie] Show"). Rumors have been abound concerning the addition of “The Ron and Fez Show” to the “High Voltage” line-up and cryptic remarks have been made on-air during both programs over the last few weeks. “The Ron and Fez Show” currently remains under contract with Infinity Broadcasting.


There is no official word yet as to what will actually comprise the programming of the “High Voltage” stream, but listeners are well-advised to stay tuned.




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