Russ ‘Whip’ Rose has announced his departure from middays at iHeartMedia Rock/Alternative “105.9 The X” WXDX Pittsburgh to focus on his automotive business.

Rose had been with WXDX since shortly after its launch as “106.7 The X” in 1995 rising from overnight host to his longtime perch in middays. His on-air name derived from a shortening of being “The Whipping Boy” of the station in its early days.

Rose will still maintain a presence in Pittsburgh radio as he will continue to track nights on Classic Rock 102.5 WDVE as he has since July 2019.

Succeeding Rose in middays will be former weekend host Travis Marzina. Marzina will also continue in nights at Country “Big 104.7” WPGB.

Hey yinz! just a heads up i chose to step back from the X to focus on my business that I am one of the owners (Autoality!) – but you still have to listen to me on DVE every evening! Rock on, thanks for 26 great years on the X!

— DVERussX (@WhipontheX) August 9, 2021