Buffalo Legend Joe Chille Stepping Back
• It’s the end of an era in Buffalo, NY, as market icon Joe Chille announced his retirement as Brand Manager and morning host on Townsquare AC WMSX (96.1 The Breeze). He will remain on staff in a part-time role, including hosting the Public Affairs show.
Chille (pictured) made the big announcement on Friday, Oct. 1, saying, “Townsquare has always been my home, and family to me. After 50 years in the business, I feel that it’s time to step away from full-time employment. It’s bittersweet, but there are other things I want to do that will include radio part-time, but more than that, enjoy my grandsons and a granddaughter who is due in December.”
Mark Plimpton, Market President of Townsquare Buffalo, commented, “Joe Chille is a consummate professional and a wonderful teammate. I’m blessed to have had Joe as my friend for 30 years. We will miss having Joe wake us up and get us to work and school each day, but we are excited for him as he moves into this next phase of his life. We are appreciative that he will be able to take some time away from his ‘grandpa’ duties to help us out on a part-time basis in the future. Thank you, Joe!!”
Chille, a member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, made his radio debut on 96.1 in 1978 when it was WJYE, going on to spend 34 years with the station as it transitioned from Beautiful Music to Soft Rock in the ’80s. Under Chille’s guidance as OM, WJYE became a powerhouse in the market, and was consistently the top-rated station for adult women in Buffalo until his departure in August 2012. Chille went on to do afternoon drive on Radio One Buffalo’s WECK (AM 1230 & FM 102.9) for a year, and spent six years as a district supervisor for several Tim Hortons’ locations. He rejoined WMSX for mornings in Jan. 2019.
