I-95 Celebrates 50 Years, and I’m Grateful to Have Been Part of the Ride

The Home of Rock and Roll, I-95, turns 50 on December 24, 2026. As we get closer to this milestone, everyone associated with the station seems to be growing a little more nostalgic. That includes me.

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I started working at I-95 in 1999, when I was just 19 years old. Now I'm 47, which means I've spent well over half my life at this place. It's a strange thing to wrap my head around, especially when I consider what this station, and the people I've met along the way, have come to mean to me.

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I can't imagine what my life would look like if I hadn't been part of this crazy experiment we call I-95. Nearly every meaningful relationship I've had since I was 19 has some connection to the station. In many cases, those relationships began right there, within the walls of 1004 Federal Road or our new home at 1 Ives Street.

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There are people from this fraternity whom I genuinely consider family, and I don't use that word lightly. Every one of my colleagues has brought an extraordinary level of talent, passion, and commitment to broadcasting. But I think I can speak for many of us when I say that, as much as we loved the work, the relationships we built with one another were the real gift this career gave us.

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Whether it was company Christmas parties, elaborate pranks, live broadcasts, or the countless hours spent together behind the scenes, those experiences are permanently etched into my memory. Before I arrived at I-95, I wasn't married, I didn't have children, and I hadn't experienced nearly as much of life as I have now. Most of the milestones that define adulthood happened while I was working here. And I had the privilege of sharing so many of those moments with people who made them even more meaningful.

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Part of me would love to name every close friend I've made at I-95 and share a story about each one. The problem is that there are so many people and so many memories that I'm almost certain I'd unintentionally leave someone or something out. Trying to condense all that history into a few paragraphs feels impossible, and I don't want to do anyone a disservice by leaving them on the sidelines. So instead, I'm going to single out one person whose place in my life is difficult to put into words: Ethan Carey.

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On paper, Ethan and I don't have a whole lot in common, and we're nearly 30 years apart in age. Yet I've spent every weekday with him for 27 years, including 19 years together on the morning show. We've shared countless early mornings in the studio, often spending hours together before seeing another living soul. That's a lot of time with another human being, and over the years, you inevitably develop a bond that goes well beyond simply working together.

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Some of the conversations we've had in that studio have never been shared with another person. There have been a handful of arguments, a few tears, and an awful lot of laughter. The kind of laughter that makes it difficult to do your job and probably wouldn't make much sense to anyone who wasn't there. Ethan is a unique, thoughtful person, and I'm honored to call him my friend. We've shared an extraordinary amount of life together, and I'm grateful for all of it.

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Radio has given me opportunities and experiences I never could have imagined when I was 19. I've landed acting gigs, performed stand-up comedy, met many of my comedy idols, toured with the cast of Deadliest Catch, and become a published writer. None of that would have happened the way it did without I-95. So, if there's one feeling that stands out as we approach this anniversary, it's gratitude.

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I also feel a responsibility to the people who helped build this station long before I arrived, as well as those who came through its doors during the years I've been here. In 2026, radio doesn't always receive the respect I believe it deserves, but that doesn't discourage me. It motivates me to work harder to help keep I-95 successful. I do it because this is my livelihood, and because I owe it to the listeners who have stuck with us for decades. But I also do it for the people who came before me, including many talented colleagues who are no longer here.

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I had the privilege of seeing these people up close. I know how intelligent, witty, resourceful, hardworking, and capable they were. These were people with remarkable talents, many of which the outside world never had the opportunity to appreciate fully. I don't want their contributions to be forgotten, and I want the station they helped build to continue thriving.

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And the people you heard on the radio were only part of the story. Behind every broadcast were production staff, news staff, salespeople, business office employees, and promotions teams. These were people who brought their own expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm to the operation every day. A successful radio station has always been a team effort, even if the listeners only hear a few voices coming through their speakers. To everyone who played a part in making I-95 what it is, thank you. I'm grateful to have worked alongside you.

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Finally, I want to thank the listeners. Most businesses don't survive for 50 years, and reaching that milestone in the media industry is especially remarkable. The fact that I-95 is still here is a testament to your loyalty, your love of rock and roll, and your willingness to laugh along with us. It's also a testament to your patience when we've fallen short, made mistakes, or occasionally given you a reason to question what the hell we were doing.

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You've allowed us to be part of your mornings, your commutes, your workplaces, and your lives. That's something I never take for granted. A radio station is nothing without the people who choose to listen, and this anniversary belongs to you just as much as it belongs to everyone who has worked here.

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One last thank-you goes to my mom and dad, along with the partners I've shared my life with over the years. Thank you for supporting me through this incredible ride. It hasn't always been conventional, predictable, or easy, and I know that my career has sometimes complicated your lives, too. I haven't forgotten that, and I hope I've always made it clear how much your support has meant to me.

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I was 19 when I walked through the doors of I-95. Nearly three decades later, I'm still here, still working, still laughing, and still trying to make this place better.

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Fifty years is an extraordinary milestone for a radio station. For me, it's something much bigger. It's a career, a community, a collection of friendships, and a huge part of the person I've become.

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And for all of that, I'll always be grateful.