LA Radio: KCAL Staffers Confirm Mass Lay-Offs

Patrick Tish, Nikki Preston, Daryl Norsell and John DeSantis

The entire staff of longtime Southern California classic-rock station KCAL-FM 96.7 has been laid off as the Redlands-based outlet switches to an automated, all-music format, hosts confirmed over the weekend.

'The change, announced Friday in a station social-media post, ends live on-air programming across the Inland Empire. “96.7 KCAL Rocks is turning the page today. Thank you to every listener who made the last chapter what it was. THE NEXT CHAPTER STARTS NOW. Classic rock. Nothing but music. All day across the Inland Empire,” the post read.

Those let go include afternoon host Daryl Norsell, morning host Patrick Tish, midday host Nikki Preston and evening host John DeSantis. Part-time weekend and fill-in staff also lost their jobs: Lacey Kendall, Tim Brown, Steve “Razz” Brazill, Mike “Mike Z” Zara, Kelli Cluque, Frank “Frank-O” Garcia, Syeda Jafri, Jeremiah Paul and Rogelio Orozco.

DeSantis, who spent six years as evening host and program director, wrote on Facebook: “Well, it’s finally our turn. This morning the ownership of KCAL released the entire air staff. Yes, all of us. They will be moving to an automated, human-less format. To say this is shocking is an understatement. … It has been a radio dream come true. You will always rock.”

Norsell, a 42-year veteran who began at the station at age 20, held the programming-director post since 2014 and the afternoon shift for 36 years. “The entire KCAL air staff was let go today,” he posted.

 “After an amazing 42 year run with the station, I can’t be anything but grateful. … My four hours in the studio was always my favorite part of my day.”

Tish, who spent 13 years on air—including the last nine in mornings—and also served as imaging director, wrote on Instagram: “My 15 year run at KCAL has ended. Thanks to everyone along the way. I loved every minute of it. On the bright side, today is the 1st day I didn’t have to get up at 4 AM. To the next Chapter!”KCAL-FM has broadcast classic rock to the Inland Empire since 1965.