Ann Arbor Radio: Country 102.9 Unveils New Leadership, Promotions

Cumulus Media announces that it has promoted three W4 Country 102.9 FM (WWWW-FM) team members to new positions at Cumulus Ann Arbor, refreshing and aligning the station for further success moving into the fall.

Brian Welch

In the first of the moves, Cumulus has promoted Brian Welch to Program Director for W4 Country. Welch, a native of St. Joseph who moved to Ann Arbor in 2004 to attend the University of Michigan, joined Cumulus Ann Arbor in 2011. He quickly rose from Promotions Assistant to Weekend Host, Production Director, and Afternoon Drive Host.

Over the years, Welch has been a consistent contributor to the W4 Country morning show, where he is now heard as On-Air Co-Host of Rally & Welch. He and Co-Host (and wife) Madison Rally can be heard on W4 Country Monday through Friday from 5:00am-10:00am. Welch will also continue in his long-standing role as station meteorologist, providing reliable local forecasts seven days a week.

Matt Missler

W4 Country’s afternoon lineup also gets a refresh this fall with the promotion of Matt Missler to On-Air Host, Afternoon Drive. Missler can be heard on the station weekdays from 3:00pm-7:00pm. Missler joined Cumulus Ann Arbor in 2013 and has served W4 Country in many capacities, including Promotions Assistant, fill-in host, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball studio host, and producer for multiple sports shows including The M Zone with Jamie Morris and The Sunday Morning Playground on The Big 1050 WTKA. In 2018, he was promoted to a full-time position overseeing digital content, social media, and web editing, and has been a favorite weekend on-air personality.

Derek Laughlin

In a third move, Derek Laughlin rises to full-time Producer for W4 Country, after nearly four years as a part-time Promotions Assistant for the station. In his work with Cumulus Ann Arbor’s Production Department, Laughlin will create web and social media content and will also manage events with the Promotions Department. W4 Country listeners can continue to hear Laughlin on-air on the weekends, and he will continue to produce Cumulus Ann Arbor’s The Lucy Ann Lance Show on 1290 WLBY and other programming on sister station The Big 1050 WTKA. Laughlin is a graduate of Washtenaw Community College, where he earned a degree in Audio and Video Production.

The W4 Country weekday lineup also expands its midday show hosted by Veronica Rates from four hours to five hours, now airing Monday through Friday from 10:00am-3:00pm. This one-hour expansion gives listeners more of Rates’ infectious energy, familiar voice, and community connections throughout the lunch hour and into early afternoons.

Steve Finateri, Regional Vice President and Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit and Ann Arbor, said: “These promotions reflect the incredible talent and dedication of our W4 Country team. Brian Welch’s elevation to Program Director is especially exciting—his deep roots in the community, creative vision, and years of on-air experience make him the ideal leader to guide the station’s next chapter. Alongside Matt and Derek’s new roles, we’re confident these moves will position us to deliver even more engaging, local content to our listeners and greater value to our advertisers."

Brian Welch, Program Director, W4 Country, commented: “The hallmark of W4 Country has always been community involvement, and that won't change as long as I have a say. Our lineup also brings consistency; while the schedule has changed, we've all been a part of this station and our listeners' lives for years. W4 Country is a family, and I'm honored to be leading it."

📻For more information or to stream W4 Country, visit: https://www.w4country.com/.