Saga Communications is making a series of lineup changes affecting Country “101.9 The Wolf” WLFZ and CHR 103.7 WDBR Springfield IL.
‘DJ Blake’ Stadel, who has been morning host at WDBR since 2015, will move to mornings alongside Dina Michaels on WLFZ starting Thursday, September 12. He will fill the opening created by Dave Daniels’ departure at the end of July to join Childrens Miracle Network as West Region Media Director. Daniels spent 25 years at the cluster in mornings first at WDBR until 2014 and at WLFZ since.
Outside of an eight month stretch in 2014-15 as PD/morning host at Emmis CHR “B92.7” WFNB Terre Haute IN, Stadel had been with Saga Springfield since 2005. He began as Promotions Director before becoming WDBR night host in 2010 and APD/afternoon host in 2012 and also was previously Brand Manager from 2015 to 2022.
Replacing Stadel as morning host at WDBR is Brand Manager/afternoon host Mike ‘Mikee’ Connolly. He has been with Saga Springfield since 2000 and has risen through the ranks since starting as a promotions assistant.
Completing the changes, Sarah Smerz will add afternoons at WDBR. Smerz returned to Saga Springfield last month as Digital Director from mornings at Mid-West Family Broadcasting AC 98.7 WNNS. Prior to joining WNNS in April 2021, Smerz spent five years in middays at Neuhoff Media Country 104.5 WFMB from 2015-20 and had two previous stints at WDBR first as a weekend host from 2008 to 2010 and then as morning co-host from 2013-15.