John Chester

John Chester is the afternoon and overnight host for Classical WETA 90.9 FM, the exclusive classical music radio station in the nation’s capital. Chester has a long and distinguished career working for public and commercial classical music stations.

Raised in Freeport, Illinois, he remembers visiting his first radio station when he was a cub scout. After serving in the Air Force, Chester attended Southern Illinois University, where he received a BA in communications in 1974. Shortly after that, Chester went to work for public radio station WILL-AM and WILL-FM at the University of Illinois.

It was the opportunity to work at WGMS-FM as assistant program director that brought Chester to the Greater Washington area. He eventually became a full-time announcer for the station. After 12 years at WGMS, he moved to Boston where he became the afternoon host at Boston's commercial classical music station WCRB-FM. In 1996, Chester returned to WGMS and was that station's afternoon host until January 2007.

When he’s off the air, Chester enjoys gardening, woodwork, golfing, fishing, watching movies and reading—he also enjoys playing with his three terriers. Chester is the proud father of two grown daughters. He currently lives in North Potomac, MD.