Audacy’s dual-market “Morning Mess” is no-more as ‘Joey Boy’ Rodriguez has departed the “B96” WBBM-FM Chicago based show to return to Phoenix.
While Rodriguez takes mornings at “Live 101.5” KALV-FM Phoenix, former co-hosts Aneesh Ratan, Jeana Shepard, and Karla Hernandez continue on “B96” with both shows keeping the show name.
Discussing the need to return back to Phoenix, Rodriguez noted on-air that after the move to Chicago, he was dealing with depression and homesickness with management giving him the opportunity to return to Live 101.5.
“The Morning Mess” originated in Phoenix in November 2014 when Rodriguez moved to mornings alongside Lady La. It had taken on its most recent form in January 2019 when then KALV-FM midday host Jeana Shepard and promotions assistant Karla Hernandez joined Rodriguez and Ratan. The show would be syndicated from Phoenix to Los Angeles from July 2020 until KNOU’s flip to KNX-FM in December 2021. They would then relocate to Chicago in March 2022, while continuing to be heard on KALV-FM.
Rodriguez first joined “Live 101.5” in 2013 as afternoon host before rising to APD/MD in May 2014. He previously has served as MD/morning host at Hip Hop “Power 98.3” KKFR Phoenix, night host at “Power 106” KPWR Los Angeles, and MD/afternoon host at “Q104.7” KCAQ Oxnard CA.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com