After 51 years as one of Delaware's best known radio voices, this DJ just went off the air

Everyone knew it was coming since it was announced this summer: Popular adult contemporary Delaware-based radio station WJBR 99.5-FM was being sold to a nonprofit Christian ministry radio network.

But when the moment came last week for the 66-year-old station's swan song ― literally coming in the form of Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" as the final tune played by its staff― it hit hard.

Not only did it signal the end of a venerable local radio station and its "Mix from the '80s to Now!" format, it also meant longtime Delaware radio broadcaster Mike Rossi was off First State airwaves after a 51-year career behind the microphone.

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"It absolutely was a gut punch," Rossi said of the sale. "It was not expected by anyone."

As the midday host signed off at WJBR for the last time on Wednesday at its Fox Point studio ―the final day for on-air talent before the official changeover at 2:58 p.m. the next day ― it was hard for him not to flashback to his childhood.

His seat in the studio was across the street from Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, which was once Mount Pleasant Intermediate School, where he had seventh and eighth-grade classes.

And the Edgemoor Gardens native was about a mile down the road from Mt. Pleasant High School, home of Delaware's first high school radio station, WMPH 91.7-FM, where he broadcast for the very first time on Halloween 1972.

"All of that was striking me at that point," Rossi said in an interview following his final show.

WJBR is now WVCW

The radio deal was announced Aug. 15 when VCY America, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based evangelical Christian nonprofit, purchased the station from Florida-based Beasley Broadcast Group.

That means no more Michael Jackson and Katy Perry on 99.5-FM. Listeners now hear a non-commercial Christian format with Christian music, Biblical teachings and call-in programs focusing on Christian issues.

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It was in 2007 when Beasley bought WJBR, also known as Mix 99.5-FM, from NextMedia Group for about $42 million.

Fast-forward to this summer when Beasley sold the station 16 years later to VCY for $5 million, painting a clear picture of the battered terrestrial radio landscape these days.

More competition from digital media outlets and satellite radio, changing consumer habits and the decline of traditional radio advertising due to the popularity of online and digital advertising have all played a role.

Rossi's road from WSTW to WJBR

The weakened world of radio had also led to Rossi's departure from WSTW-FM in late 2020 after a 33-year run, receiving a pink slip three days after Christmas.

His termination followed the lay-offs of other on-air personalities, including afternoon host Brian Soscia, whose final WSTW show was in June 2020, and "Hometown Heroes" host Mark Rogers, who had been let go six months earlier.

WSTW is owned by Maryland-based Forever Media, which bought both WSTW and Wilmington-based WDEL-AM 1150 in 2019 for $18.5 million from Wilmington-based Delmarva Broadcasting Co.

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Rossi's long run in Delaware radio may have started in high school, but his first professional gigs were at WNRK 1260-AM in Newark and Wilmington's WAMS 1380-AM.

After a few other stops along the way, he joined WSTW as a weekend host in 1987 before moving to the midday slot in 1992 for a 28-year stretch. He was also the station's music director from 1992 to 2016 and associate program director from 1997 to 2013 when he was named program director.

Rossi was one of the most recognizable voices (and faces) for WSTW, regularly hosting shows from the Wilmington Flower Market and climbing on stage to introduce both the local and national music acts that headline at Wilmington's Rockford Park each spring. He filled a similar role for WJBR since joining its ranks in 2021.

Signing off for the last time

All of that history was running through Rossi's mind when he grew emotional during his final WJBR sign-off.

"I have loved my career, the people I've worked with and, especially, the people I work for: the listeners, my community," he said. "Thank you for sharing time with me today and anytime over the years."

SOLD! Popular Delaware music station WJBR sold to Christian ministry radio network

He closed by playing the same song he used to end his first high school radio broadcast as a teenager on that October night so long ago.

"Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel: "When you're weary/Feeling small/When tears are in your eyes/I'll dry them all."

WJBR's other on-air casualties; Rossi's next move

Rossi, of course, wasn't the only DJ at the station, which has now officially morphed from WJBR to the new call letters of WVCW.

Other talent who had their last day with WJBR last week included morning show hosts Deanna Marie and Justin Franiak, who said they would launch a podcast.

Franiak will continue as fill-in/weekend host at Beasley's WXTU-FM 92.5, a country station in Philadelphia. Marie hinted she may do some part-time work with Beasley in Philadelphia, as well.

Eric Johnson, WJBR's program director and afternoon host, has moved north and will become program director and midday host at Beasley-owned WMGK-FM 102.9, Philadelphia's classic rock station.

As for Rossi, he is continuing his other job as a Greenville-based licensed real estate agent for Patterson-Schwartz.

But don't count him out when it comes to continuing his legendary radio run, even though he had nothing to announce in the immediate aftermath of WJBR's demise: "I'd like to think I still have some fuel in the tank."

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (Twitter) (@ryancormier).

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Sale to Christian radio network marks end of WJBR's 66-year run