It's Alright To Be WITL Bitty:
Saga WPOR/Portland, ME PD/afternoon host Jonathan "JR" Ruppel is joining Townsquare/Lansing, which includes Country WITL, as Dir./Content starting June 1. He will also serve as PD for WITL. Ruppel succeeds McConnell Adams who stepped down to focus on his duties as Brand Mgr. for the cluster's Top 40 WJIM & AC WFMK last September (CAT 9/10/21). Ruppel, a Flint native, tells Country Aircheck, "Not everyone in radio gets the chance at the helm of a heritage station they listened to under their pillow when they were a kid, but here I am, living the dream." Ruppel joined WPOR in 2019 from Saga/Harrisonburg, VA (CAT 6/12/19). Ruppel's last day at WPOR will be May 27; reach him here. Saga Dir./Group Programming Scott Chase is heading the search for Ruppel's replacement at WPOR; see posting here.
The Year End Print Special
featuring:
The Year In Music:
Morgan, Ella & More
CMA Radio Winners
Recap The Week
Label Of The Year
Big Loud Turns 10
BMG's Jon Loba:
The Interview
The 2026 Grammy
Voter's Guide
A quick reference guide to the 2026 Grammy Nominees
Inside This Issue:
Exstream: What Is Mainstream Country?
You Never Forget Your First … Cousin
Survey Says: NuVoodoo Research