Encyclopedia Of Detroit

Ann Delisi is a beloved radio personality, deejay, podcaster, and business owner who is involved in multiple aspects of Detroit culture and can be heard on Detroit’s WDET-FM public radio station. 

Born on April 20, 1963, Delisi grew up on the east side of Detroit and went on to study music at Wayne State University. While attending classes, she worked at Sam’s Jams record store in the Detroit suburb Ferndale, and joined WDET (101.9) in 1983 as a music librarian. She first appeared on that station’s airwaves in the late-night 3-6 a.m. time slot. She parlayed her ever-expanding musical taste into WDET’s programming, eventually becoming music director, in addition to hosting The Ann Delisi Program. 

After becoming a listener favorite, in 1995 Delisi took an opportunity at CIDR-FM The River, a commercial radio station in Windsor, Ontario that played the “adult album alternative” format. From there, she spent time at WDVD-FM, WJR-AM, WRCJ-FM, and even spent some time on television, hosting Backstage Pass on WTVS-TV. Delisi returned to WDET in 2009, hosting Ann Delisi’s Essential Music on weekends. In addition to expanding the breadth of music played on the stations where she has worked, Delisi has taken listeners deeper with artist interviews and live in-studio performances. 

Since returning to WDET, Delisi has helmed several new programs, including interview show Ann Delisi’s Essential Conversations, Ann Delisi’s Essential Cooking with Chef James Rigato, and starting in 2021 the Don Was Motor City Playlist with Detroit all-star music producer Don Was. Delisi is also a business owner, operating the natural food market Sprout House in Grosse Pointe with WDET colleague Lisa Brancato. Delisi’s continued dedication to the spectrum of Detroit’s culture and many years on the air led to her being recognized with a Spirit of Detroit Award by the Detroit City Council in 2023.