Pittsburgh’s top-rated rock station just made its morning lineup official. Tad Wissel joins 102.5 WDVE’s “Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show” as a full-time co-host, effective immediately.
What We Know: Wissel has made weekly appearances on the show for the past six months. Now, he joins hosts Randy Baumann, Abby Krizner, and Mike Prisuta daily. His role includes original comedy, storytelling, and Pittsburgh-focused segments. The move deepens the show’s ties to the city it serves.
What They Said: “Tad has been a natural fit with the show from the start,” said Baumann. “He understands Pittsburgh in a very specific and authentic way, which has always been the foundation of the DVE Morning Show.” Baumann added that listener response to Wissel’s appearances has been overwhelmingly positive.
What Remains Unclear: No financial terms were disclosed. Additionally, it’s unknown whether Wissel’s addition signals further lineup changes ahead. His firefighting career — three years with the City of Pittsburgh — also appears to be on pause, though no official statement addressed that transition.
What It Means: This move reflects a broader trend in radio. Stations are rewarding proven chemistry over outside hires. For WDVE, promoting a homegrown talent with deep Pittsburgh roots reinforces authenticity. Furthermore, it signals that iHeartMedia Pittsburgh is betting on familiarity to hold its dominant morning position.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
