Joe Cicero Steps Away from Star 105.5 After 15 Years

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | 4:57pm CT

Joe Cicero

After 15 years as a morning radio mainstay, Joe Cicero is signing off from his role at Alpha Media's WZSR (Star 105.5) in Woodstock, IL. Cicero's final show alongside longtime co-host Tina Bree will air Friday, December 6. Beginning in January, he will step into a new chapter as President of Promotions and Marketing for the McHenry Outdoor Theater.

Cicero, who joined WZSR in 2009, became a beloved voice in the community. His partnership with Bree created a strong connection with listeners, extending in recent years to sister stations WSSR (Star 96.7) in Joliet and WXLC (Star 102.3) Waukegan until WXLC's format change to Country earlier this year. Beyond mornings, Cicero also served as Program Director at WZSR and will remain with the station, launching a Saturday morning show starting in January.

Reflecting on his time at WZSR, Cicero described it as "nothing short of amazing," saying, "I never saw myself doing anything outside of radio." In his new role, Cicero looks forward to combining his passion for movies with his commitment to community engagement. "We're going to build on what we've done at the station with even more interaction and impact. It's about more than movies," Cicero shared.

Station Manager Kathleen Cahill praised Cicero's contributions, stating, "For the last fifteen incredible years, Joe and Tina have been the voices listeners tuned in to every morning, creating a remarkably strong bond with our audience. Joe has decided to step back from his role as Star's beloved morning show host to allow himself more time to pursue a new opportunity."

Cicero's career began in 1999 at WCKG-FM in Chicago, hosting overnights. He later moved to WXLC in Waukegan and then to Colorado Springs before returning to Illinois to join Star 105.5 in 2009. Over the years, Cicero and Bree have shared their lives openly with listeners, from personal milestones to challenging moments, fostering a sense of family on-air.