By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-02 21:57:07 | Updated at 2026-08-03 18:06:55
21 hours ago
A beloved SoCal radio station was rocked after every employee was laid off in a single day.
Redlands-based classic rock station KCAL-FM 96.7 let go of its entire on-air staff Friday, evening host John DeSantis revealed in a social media post.
A six-year veteran of the station, DeSantis worked as both an evening host and program director.
'Well, it’s finally our turn,' DeSantis wrote on Facebook. 'This morning the ownership of KCAL released the entire air staff.'
The former evening host confirmed that the entire staff has been nixed, and said the station will be 'moving to an automated, human-less format.'
'To say this is shocking is an understatement. 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,' he added.
The station rolled out its new all-music format on Saturday.
KCAL 96.7 axed its entire on-air staff on Friday
Patrick Tish, Nikki Preston, Daryl Norsell, and John DeSantis, were all laid off
DeSantis wasn't the only host laid off - afternoon host Daryl Norsell, morning host Patrick Tish and midday host Nikki Preston were also let go.
Part-timers and fill-in staff were also axed, including Lacey Kendall, Tim Brown, Steve 'Razz' Brazill, and Mike 'Mike Z' Zara, the Orange County Register reported.
Norsell spent an incredible 42 years at KCAL-FM, including 36 years as afternoon host and the past decade as program director.
'The entire KCAL air staff was let go today,' Norsell wrote in a Facebook post. 'After an amazing 42 year run with the station, I can’t be anything but grateful.'
The afternoon host broke into radio at 18 and joined KCAL-FM 96.7 just two years later.
'I’ve literally grown up and spent my entire adult life on the air with you playing music that I love and sharing stories and experiences. My four hours in the studio was always my favorite part of my day,' he added.
The station announced the sweeping changes Friday in a Facebook statement, saying it was 'turning the page.'
'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,' it stated.
John DeSantis posted a selfie along with a farewell statement on Friday
Show hosts Nikki Preston and Daryl Norsell during a promo where they gave away Del Taco gift cards
Patrick Tish, a 13-year air talent who spent the last nine years as a morning host
The radio station posted a statement about the shocking changes
The Classic Rock station is owned by Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation, and Chief Operating Officer Kelly Sanders said this new rendition will build on the station's 'strong rock heritage.'
'KCAL will deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners,' she said in a statement obtained by KTLA5.
The previous general manager of the station who retired just days before the layoffs - Jeffrey Parke - told the Register he was in shock about this decision.
'I was stunned that the company was making this move, but the reality is that this is happening everywhere in radio, and it’s really become a bottom-line thing,' he said.
Heartbroken fans took to social media, saying the layoffs left them with no reason to keep listening.
'Beginning of the end… I only listened because it wasn’t robotic and had the on-air talent,' one listener wrote on Facebook.
Another said: 'Sad day and end of an era. Been a listener for over 40 years, won a few contests, rocked KCAL shirts and stickers. I'm going to miss Mandatory Metallica unless I choose to listen to another DJless station.'
