10 Questions with ... Jon Adler

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 1997 - (intern/promotions/part-time on-air) WMAD (92.1) Madison, WI
• 1997-2000 - WMMM (105.5) Madison
• 2006-present - WLUM (FM 102/1)

1. Congrats on your 12 year anniversary at the station this month. What stands out the most from when you first started working at FM 102/1?

When I started, the morning show was Kramp & Adler in the mornings. (Brian) Kramp & I went to college together (UW-Whitewater) but went our separate ways after graduation. We reconnected when the morning show became available. Early on, I did not need or appreciate sleep.

2. What do you love most about doing mornings on FM 102/1?

Freedom!

I love the freedom to go in any direction with my breaks. Also, I genuinely love the format and the music we play and am still a genuine fan. I'm at an age where I can say I played air hockey with the guys from Cage The Elephant a few years ago but as a younger man recall seeing Green Day (1995) and getting the sleeve of my t-shirt ripped clean off in a mosh pit.

3. Give us the 411 on Music In The Morning With Adler.

As the name implies, I let the music (10 - 12 songs per hour) do the work. When I do have guests, it's often times musicians and standup comedians. Luckily, Milwaukee has been a great place for comedy over the years.4. How would you describe your on-air style?

Very conversational. I always admired people with a cool "announcer" type voice but I've never had one. I like talking with people that do have silky smooth voices and making sure they know how cool it is.

5. What is your show prep routine?

All day and whenever things strike me. I have a 25 - 45 minute commute from my house to the station and always have a small notebook in my car that I write things down and get back to later and work through.

6. Share with us the benchmarks of your morning show and your favorite part of the show and why?

At 8:30am every weekday I do a segment called "What's The Connection" (3 songs with 1 theme) which listeners can win pretty great stuff (tix to a show, often times with meet & greets thanks to John Schroeder - Promotions Director). I love the ability to throw together 3 songs that seemingly would never have any earthly reason being together.

7. What is it like working for Michelle Rutkowski?

She's the best! If you've met her, you know. If you haven't met her, I'm sorry for you, but you'll soon find out. I like bouncing ideas off of her and the reaction I get usually dictates if I use it on the air. Normally, this isn't a sit down type situation; rather I pop my head in her office, rattle off the idea, wait a second and evaluate her reaction. (My 5 year old son Owen calls her "Michelle...with the purple hair".)

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Listen more than you talk. Always be OK with putting a lot of time into something that may only turn into a :20 second break. It's worth it.

9. Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

Bob Uecker "Mr. Baseball!" Over 45 years of calling Brewers games. The guy has incredible timing and is the master of self-depreciating humor.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Coffee, specifically coffee I make that's historically called "kick-you-in-the-ass" coffee. Extra strong coffee that I mix in with instant coffee. Very few people enjoy it. It's the caffeine version of medical marijuana.

Favorite new music right now on FM 102.1?

New AWOLNATION - Here Come The Runts

What are weekends like for you?

Always, busy. I'm married with a 5 year old son so weekends come and go pretty fast.

What are your hobbies?

Biking (Milwaukee has some really great bike paths), movies (especially bad ones), and an unhealthy collection of shoes.

What do you miss most from being back home in Michigan?

I'm not from Michigan so I'm guessing you may be confusing me with Jack White or Kid Rock.

HA-HA! Clearly I had a brain freeze! Where are your go to spots when you get back home to Manitowoc, Wisconsin?

WOW, as far as going back to Manitowoc, I don't get there very often. My parents now live in Las Vegas (my dad actually was Steven Avery's teacher when Avery was a teenager). Once in a while when heading up north I'll stop in Manitowoc because there's a great liquor store right off the interstate. A liquor store that has a clearance section!

Anything else you would like to add?

I like what All Access does. I was honored and surprised a little that you'd ask me to do this. Thanks.