After nearly a quarter century, Bert Weiss, 58, retired from hosting Atlanta’s award-winning “The Bert Show” on Q99.7, concluding with an emotional, extended final broadcast on Friday that ran over two hours past its usual end time.
The show, syndicated in over 20 markets, featured heartfelt testimonials from family, colleagues, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who praised Weiss for his 25 years of impact on the city.
Weiss, overcome with mixed emotions, shared that he’s been “sad but filled with joy” in recent weeks, citing moments like crying behind a Target after hearing ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky.” His oldest son, Hayden, humorously remarked on air, “I thought you’d be doing this until you were in hospice… like, in three years.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Weiss’ first wife, Stacey, credited with negotiating early contracts and co-founding his nonprofit Bert’s Big Adventure, lauded his natural talent for connecting with audiences. His fiancée, Amanda Coker, was acknowledged for inspiring his retirement and plans to travel the world, allowing him to step away from his “performative” radio persona and embrace authenticity.
Newer host Abby Murphy, 26, shared how the show healed her childhood feelings of rejection, thanking Weiss for his welcoming leadership.
The broadcast, which threw out the clock to allow everyone to speak, ended near noon with Weiss reflecting on the show’s deep connection with listeners. A recent encounter with a tearful fan in Athens underscored the show’s impact, leaving Weiss at peace with his decision. He plans to focus on travel, his podcast company, and Bert’s Big Adventure, which sends chronically and terminally ill children to Disney World.