Milwaukee Radio: Jon Adler Out At WLUM

Jon Adler

Jon Adler, a longtime morning radio personality in Milwaukee, has parted ways with WLUM-FM (102.1), an alternative rock station branded as "FM 102/1," after nearly 20 years on the air. 

Adler joined the station in March 2006, initially co-hosting the morning show with Brian Kramp as part of the "Kramp and Adler" duo. This transition coincided with the station’s shift back to an alternative rock format from a rock-leaning "New Rock 102.1." Following Kramp’s departure in 2013, Adler continued hosting the morning slot solo, becoming a familiar voice to listeners during the 6-10 a.m. weekday drive time.

His exit was attributed to budget cuts rather than performance issues. Adler himself noted the reason in a public statement, emphasizing that his 19 years and 4 days at the station were filled with enjoyment, thanks to supportive listeners and the team at the Milwaukee Radio Alliance, which operates WLUM in partnership with All-Pro Broadcasting and Shamrock Broadcasting. 

During his tenure, Adler embraced the station’s "more music" approach, focusing on a conversational on-air style and playing 10-12 alternative rock songs per hour, occasionally featuring guests like musicians and comedians.

Adler’s departure marks a significant shift for the station, which has maintained a strong local presence with a weekly audience of 350,000 to 400,000 listeners in the Milwaukee area. As of now, no replacement for the morning slot has been announced, leaving the station’s lineup with a temporary gap in its full-time schedule, which previously included Adler, Michelle Rutkowski (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), and Schroeder (7 p.m.-midnight), alongside part-timers like Ryan Miller and Alyssa.