Longtime WJBR morning host Michael Waite is back.
Waite rejoined the FM station, which has been rebranded as mix99.5, on Jan. 2. He will be on air from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
On Thursday Jessica Micchelli joined the morning show. Micchelli, a West Chester University graduate, has worked as a producer and radio personality.
Waite left the station in 2011 to become marketing director at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. He retired from the Blood Bank last year. Waite has also served as an emcee for dinners and other events over the years.
Before his 2011 departure, Waite had worked at the north Wilmington FM station for nearly 18 years as vice president of operations and for a time as general manager while holding down the morning slot.
This time around, Waite will work mornings, minus the management responsibilities. “When I was holding down four jobs at the station, mornings {on air} were my favorite time of the day. This is the perfect retirement job,” Waite said after his first morning shift.
Waite came to Delaware after a career that included part ownership of a Midwestern radio station, as well as stops in Boston, Providence and Detroit. Waite said the medium has plenty of life left in it, and still has an ability to make a difference in the community.
“We can still bring people together to help feed the hungry and provide coats for kids,” he said.
The business has changed and Waite admitted to “having butterflies before going on the air.” Social media did its part to help announce Waite’s return as one Facebook post generated a sizable number of shares and comments.
“My phone blew up,” Waite said. “It was gratifying, but this is Delaware and people remember.”
WJBR, is owned by Beasley Broadcasting. Beasley has a half a dozen other stations in the Philadelphia area, including long-time rock station, WMMR. The north Wilmington station has a powerful 50,000 watt signal that extends into Philadelphia.
Previous morning hosts John and Charlie were let go from the Wilmington-area station’s morning drive show in November. During their six-years at the station, both held management posts. The former hosts have since started a Facebook page and a podcast.
WJBR has been in third place behind Delmarva Broadcasting’s hit music outlet WSTW and country station, WXCY.
The FM pioneer station in Delaware first went on the air in the mid-1950s.
