B96 Mornings About To Get Messy
• The Morning Mess, long based at Audacy’s KALV (Live 101.5)/Phoenix is relocating its base of operations to Top 40 sister WBBM (B96)/Chicago as that station’s new morning show. Starting the week of April 4, The Morning Mess, featuring Joey Boy, Aneesh Ratan, Jeana Shepard and Karla Hernandez, will be heard weekdays on B96 from 5:30-10am CT. The show will continue to be heard on Live 101.5/Phoenix.
“After a long search, we are thrilled to bring The Morning Mess to Chicago,” said Rachel Williamson, Regional President and Market Manager, Audacy Chicago. “This show is a fun, energetic and close team who embrace their diverse cultures and lifestyles to bring lively and relatable entertainment to listeners every morning.”
Joey Boy said, “We are all beyond excited for this opportunity — mornings at the iconic B96. The Mess team is the hardest working and most talented ensemble I have ever worked with, and they are my dear friends. The Morning Mess is ready to embrace Chicago and become part of its vibrant and diverse culture; thanks to everyone at Audacy for the incredible support.” Greg Solk, VP of Programming & Operations, Audacy Chicago, noted, “After many years of the same morning show choices for contemporary hit music fans, we believe Chicagoans will be excited to have a new, fresh option to wake up with and to energize their mornings.”
Joey Boy joined the company in 2013 as an original co-host for The Morning Mess on Live 101.5. Aneesh Ratan joined the company two years later as an original co-host. Jeana Shepard started with the company in 2014 and, along with Karla Hernandez, joined The Morning Mess in January 2019.
B96’s former morning duo of Gabe Ramirez and Nina Hajian disbanded last summer — Hajian left in August 2021, and is now co-hosting the Westwood One-syndicated night show, Eliott & Nina, with Eliott King. Ramirez has been rolling solo since then.
