When John Jastremski won the 2011 WFAN Fantasy Phenom Contest, he saw his fantasy of being a WFAN host become reality…and now, after nine-plus years, that reality has become history, as JJ said goodbye for the final time on Friday night, wrapping up his last show on the FAN.
“As someone who grew up listening to this radio station, dreaming about the chance to do a show…I never knew what it would be like until I was given the opportunity,” JJ said in his final monologue, “and honestly? It was better than I ever could’ve imagined.”
JJ thanked the listeners and callers, of course, who made him “feel like a part of something bigger than myself,” and those who grew with him from a 23-year-old recent college grad into the man leaving WFAN for his next chapter.
“I learned a long time ago that in radio, you can’t be something you’re not,” he said. “For those who know me, I am the same guy on the air as off the air – what you see is what you get. Every single night, everything I got – you got it.”
John also thanked his family and those behind the scenes who helped him “grind it out” for nine years, from program director Mark Chernoff to fellow hosts and anchors, to his overnight crew of Harris Allen and Russell Mafes – both of whom called in for his final show – as well as producers Paul Rosenberg and Mike Fliegelman.
And then, it was time to say goodbye, one last time.
“I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity. It’s a pretty cool experience to walk away from, and I’m sure many of you are wondering why. Dreams change, but this radio station will always be home. I fully expect to do what I need to do at my next venture, but when you hear my voice, many of you, the first thing you’ll think of is WFAN. I am not the man I am today without this radio station. This chapter may be coming to a close, but the next chapter is going to be a pretty good one, and this journey is far from over…JJ out, be good everybody.”
With that, JJ After Dark has gone dark – and for one last time, you can listen to JJ’s entire final show below.
Follow John Jastremski on Twitter: @john_jastremski
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