Cumulus Media’s Classic Rock station WLAV in Grand Rapids will lose its morning host Michelle McCormick on Friday, August 28. The departure stems from company-wide layoffs affecting the radio broadcaster.
What We Know McCormick anchored WLAV’s morning show since 2011, building strong listener relationships. Additionally, she built her entire career in Grand Rapids starting way back in 1984. Consequently, she worked multiple Grand Rapids stations including WGRD, WOOD, and WJRW. Moreover, she spent five years at Detroit’s WKRK-FM and time at New Jersey’s WKXW before returning home.
What They Said McCormick addressed listeners directly during Monday’s show, showing transparency during the transition. She told her audience, “About two weeks ago our company had to make some changes and they had to eliminate some jobs. Mine was one of them that was eliminated. I’m going to be here for two more weeks.” The candid announcement demonstrates her professionalism as she faces this career change.
What Remains Unclear However, McCormick hasn’t announced her next career destination or plans. Furthermore, Cumulus hasn’t disclosed the broader scope of its layoffs nationwide. Also unclear is whether WLAV will hire a replacement host or restructure the morning slot. Additionally, details about future transitions remain private.
What It Means Consequently, this move reflects Cumulus’s ongoing restructuring efforts affecting markets nationwide. Besides, the exit impacts a market where McCormick cultivated deep listener loyalty spanning decades. Therefore, competitors and advertisers should closely monitor format stability at WLAV moving forward. In essence, McCormick’s departure signals mounting industry consolidation pressures continuing to reshape radio.
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Michelle is a total pro. This article, on the other hand, is part of the problem…Media companies think that cutting human beings is a solution. Nice AI here folks: “McCormick anchored WLAV’s morning show since 2011, building strong listener relationships. Additionally, she built her entire career in Grand Rapids starting way back in 1984. Consequently, she worked multiple Grand Rapids stations including WGRD, WOOD, and WJRW. Moreover, she spent five years at Detroit’s WKRK-FM and time at New Jersey’s WKXW before returning home.”
As a former radio personality in Texas back in the early 80s. I can relate to the many changes in broadcasting throughout the past several decades. I LOVED listening to Michele in the mornings and look forward to hearing her again on another station. I WILL switch my dial! sending her good vibes for her next gig!
WLAV was the station I was tuned to for morning listening. I do not understand how broadcast operators miss the HUMAN factor when they make sweeping cuts. First, Tony Gates, then “Mayor” Gregg Hensen, and Now Michelle McKormick. Additionally, they are tossing aside Travis Gibbs who has demonstrated much talent since he joined the team, while he remains at WLAV for the time being, they give him a crap time slot. Not all of us have ‘playlists of music’. Personally, I enjoy hearing local talent discuss topics and events in the area. I will no longer listen to WLAV. There is a difference about freshening up the talent/voice of the show to treating the listeners like they do not exist. At least Michelle had time to say, ‘until next time’. With Gates and Hensen, they were up and gone with no explanation. DO BETTER. (Not to mention, WLAV has been stuck on their ‘playlist’ of ten songs for years, mix it up a bit, daily plays of Stairway to Heaven, and multiple plays of Tom Petty are painful…that is the sign I enjoyed the radio talent).