While rumors spreading on Thursday of the entire on-air staff being dismissed from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance have been proven untrue, at least one significant cut did take place as morning host Jonathan Adler exits Alternative “FM 102.1” WLUM Milwaukee after nineteen years in the daypart.
Adler joined the station in March 2006 as part of the station’s transition from Rock leaning “New Rock 102.1” back to Alternative co-hosting mornings with Brian Kramp. Following Kramp’s exit in 2013, he would continue in mornings solo.
He wrote, “March madness indeed! Sadly, due to budget cuts (and not performance) today was my last day doing the morning show at FM 102/1. For 19 years…and 4 days, I’ve had nothing but fun and can’t emphasize that enough. This is due to incredible listeners and specifically an incredible group of people at the Milwaukee Radio Alliance. Also, the talent of Michelle Rutkowski, John Schroeder & Ryan Miller who have also been at @fm1021 for 19 years! I genuinely look forward to what is next.” Adler can be reached at [email protected].
Dave Kluth
Along with Adler, they let go John Schroeder also. I’m not sure what the management is thinking at 102.1, but how can you let two people who have as much talent, music knowledge, air personality, following, and connections to Milwaukee music go? I personally was a listener of both of them for over 10 years, especially of Retro Brunch for over 12 years hosted by John Schroeder. As of this Sunday there was no Retro Brunch, just plain “canned”, programed music that doesn’t set 102.1 apart from any other radio station.
It appears that for cost cutting reasons, we are seeing the death of another radio station in Milwaukee. We’ll probably see a drop in listeners and eventually a change in music at a desperate attempt save a sinking ship caused by management listening to some outside radio consultants.
102.1, you had a great product. It did need some refinements to make it more productive, but it did not need a death sentence.