The hosts of a longtime Southern California radio station confirmed that the entire staff has been laid off as the station transitions to an all-music format.
KCAL-FM 96.7, based out of Redlands, has been spinning classic rock tunes across the Inland Empire since 1965.
The station announced the change on July 31 in a social media post that read:
“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 layoffs included afternoon host Daryl Norsell, morning host Patrick Tish, midday host Nikki Preston and evening host John DeSantis.
Part-time weekend and fill-in staff were also impacted including Lacey Kendall, Tim Brown, Steve “Razz” Brazill, Mike “Mike Z” Zara, Kelli Cluque, Frank “Frank-O” Garcia, Syeda Jafri, Jeremiah Paul, and Rogelio Orozco, the Orange County Register reported. The new all-music format began on Aug. 1.
From left: Patrick Tish, Nikki Preston, Daryl Norsell and John DeSantis. The hosts of a longtime Southern California radio station KCAL-FM 96.7 confirmed that the entire staff was laid off on July 31, 2026, as the station transitions to an all-music format. (Daryl Norsell via Facebook / KCAL-FM 96.7)
John DeSantis, KCAL-FM 96.7 evening host and program director had been with the station for six years. (John DeSantis via Facebook)
Patrick Tish, a 13-year air talent who spent the last nine years in the morning slot and served as Imaging Director at KCAl-FM 96.7. (Patrick Tish via Facebook)
From left: Patrick Tish, Nikki Preston, Daryl Norsell and John DeSantis. The hosts of a longtime Southern California radio station KCAL-FM 96.7 confirmed that the entire staff was laid off on July 31, 2026, as the station transitions to an all-music format. (Daryl Norsell via Facebook)
“Well, it’s finally our turn,” DeSantis, who spent six years with the station as an evening host and program director, wrote on a Facebook post. “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. 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.”
Norsell worked at the station for 42 years. He held a programming director position since 2014 and the afternoons slot for the past 36 years, The O.C. Register reported.
“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. I started in radio when I was just 18 and at KCAL when I was 20 years old, and 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.”
Tish, a 13-year air talent who spent the last nine years in the morning slot and served as Imaging Director, wrote in a post to 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!”
In a statement, Kelly Sanders, Chief Operating Officer of Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation, which owns the station, said, “KCAL has a longstanding history in the Inland Empire, and this next chapter builds on the station’s strong rock heritage. We rebuilt KCAL around the music our listeners grew up on, the songs and the artists that made classic rock. KCAL will deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners.”
Jeffrey Parke, who served as general manager of KCAL-FM and KOLA-FM before he retired on July 24, told the Register, “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.”
Norsell ended his heartfelt post by saying, “I’m going to unplug from everything and disappear with my awesome wife, Kori, for a while to decompress and then dive into whatever adventure the next chapter is going to bring. I’ll be ready for it. I truly want to thank everyone that was a part of this incredible run. Cheers. And YOU ROCK!”
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