Connoisseur Media is expanding the Chaz and AJ Show from Classic Rock 99.1 WPLR New Haven CT across the Long Island Sound to Rock “94.3 The Shark” WWSK Smithtown NY starting Monday, March 9.
The move brings the duo back to the market where they started their careers. AJ began his career as an intern at 102.3 WBAB and later worked at 94.3 WMJC and then mornings at then-Classic Rock 103.9 WRCN Riverhead where he was first replaced by Chaz in 1996 and then rejoined him a year later. Chaz previously hosted nights at WPLR and worked for ABC Radio Networks prior to WRCN. The pair would move from WRCN to WPLR in 2003.
The duo commented, “We are thrilled to get back to our roots on Long Island. Now we’ll wake up audiences on The Shark and on WPLR in New Haven — it truly feels like the best of both worlds. We’re grateful to our CEO, Jeff Warshaw, for the opportunity to expand the show and bring it home. We’re going to work hard every day to earn the trust and ears of Long Island listeners. For decades, we’ve believed they deserve a better show — and we intend to bring it.”
Connoisseur Media SVP/Programming Keith Dakin stated, “The Chaz and AJ show began on Long Island and it just makes perfect sense to have them return home. The show has always been for and about the listeners, and now we get to add a whole bunch more to the party. The connection between Chaz and AJ and their audience runs deep, and bringing Long Island back into that community is something we’re really excited about.”
The company also stated they have signed Chaz to a new five-year contract “reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the show’s continued growth”.