Ann Delisi (Photo credit to Michelle Andonian via Ann Delisi).

Longtime WDET-FM (Detroit) Essential Music host Ann Delisi has been honored with the Spirit of Detroit Award. The award was presented during her Saturday radio program to Delisi by Dan Austin, communications director for Detroit’s Planning & Housing department. Detroit City Council member Latisha Johnson requested Delisi receive the Spirit of Detroit Award, which honors a “person, event or organization for an outstanding achievement or service to the citizens of Detroit.”

“Shining a light on Detroit’s creative community and those making music in my hometown has been such an inspiring and unexpected journey,” says Delisi. “I started as a volunteer filing albums in WDET’s vast music library, but couldn’t have imagined that decades later after playing countless recorded songs, conducting hundreds of interviews and hosting numerous in-studio performances with so many Detroit creators, this joyful exploration would be recognized with such an incredible honor. I am truly humbled and grateful.”

Ann Delisi has been a part of the Detroit media landscape for more than 35 years. A Wayne State Music School grad and former WDET music director (1983-1995), Ann returned to WDET in 2009 to host Essential Music — a program dedicated to exploring the history of music, creating a platform for Detroit musicians, discovering new music and listening to what is next on the musical horizon.