Legendary Radio Station Abruptly Fires All On-Air Staff

A legendary Southern California rock station has fired its entire on-air staff and is replacing its DJs with a fully automated, music-only format.

KCAL, a longtime fixture in the Inland Empire, announced that the sweeping changes would take effect Aug. 1. Parent company Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation said the station would now deliver “nothing but music all day across the Inland Empire.”

The move means more than a dozen hosts, DJs, weekend personalities and fill-in staff members are out of work.

Chief Operating Officer Kelly Sanders said eliminating live hosts would allow KCAL to play more classic rock with fewer interruptions throughout the day.

“KCAL has a longstanding history in the Inland Empire, and this next chapter builds on the station’s strong rock heritage,” Sanders said in a news release.

“We rebuilt KCAL around the music our listeners grew up on, the songs and the artists that made classic rock, and we built it right here at home.”

Sanders said the newly automated format would provide a more focused and consistent listening experience while appealing to both listeners and advertisers.

“KCAL will deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners,” she said.

Among those losing their jobs were popular personalities John DeSantis, Nikki Preston and Patrick Tish.

DeSantis confirmed the layoffs in an emotional social media post, saying the entire staff had been dismissed.

“Well, it’s finally our turn,” he wrote. “This morning the ownership of KCAL released the entire air staff. Yes, all of us.”

DeSantis said the station was moving to an automated format without human hosts and described the announcement as devastating.

“To say this is shocking is an understatement,” he wrote.

“I have a lot to process, and will be saying more shortly. But for right now, I just want to thank all of you for letting me be part of the KCAL family. It has been a radio dream come true. You will always rock.”

The layoffs also included veteran host Daryl Norsell, who spent an astonishing 42 years at KCAL, including 36 years hosting the afternoon show.

“Yeah, it’s true. The entire KCAL air staff was let go today,” Norsell wrote. “Patrick in the Morning, Nikki Preston, John DeSantis, and myself.”

“Plus our awesome weekend crew. After an amazing 42-year run with the station, the last 36 in the Afternoon show, I can’t be anything but grateful.”

Weekend and fill-in personalities were also affected, including Syeda Jafri, Jeremiah Paul, Rogelio Orozco, Steve “Razz” Brazill, Mike “Mike Z” Zara and Kelli Cluque.

The decision marks the end of an era for a station that built a loyal following through its personalities as well as its classic rock playlist.

While company executives are promoting the change as a way to offer more music and fewer interruptions, longtime listeners and former staff members are mourning the loss of the familiar voices that helped define KCAL for decades.