WKQX-FM (Q101) in Chicago Names James Kurdziel as PD
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 11:06am CT |
|
 James Kurdziel |
Cumulus Media appoints James Kurdziel as Program Director for Alternative WKQX-FM (Q101) in Chicago. The company also expands Kurdziel's corporate programming leadership role, upping him from VP, Classic Rock, to the newly created position of VP, Classic Rock and Alternative. Kurdziel moves to Chicago from Cumulus Minneapolis, where he was Program Director for Classic Rock KQRS-FM. Before his arrival in the Twin Cities, he programmed Alternative WEDG-FM (The Edge) in Buffalo, NY.
 |
Concurrently, Wade Linder is appointed Program Director for Classic Rock KQRS-FM in Minneapolis. In addition to his new role with KQRS-FM, Linder will also continue to handle Special Projects for the Cumulus Corporate Programming team. Linder moves to Cumulus Minneapolis from Cumulus Chicago, where he has been Program Director for Classic Hits WLS-FM since 2018, following four years as Program Director for the former Classic Rock WLUP-FM in Chicago. Prior to that, Linder spent nearly two decades programming Rock KXXR-FM (93X) in Minneapolis.
Cumulus Media and Westwood One Chief Content Officer Brian Philips said, "In our careers, we may never again hit upon the perfect alignment of circumstances which made this deal possible. Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul have always generously shared people and ideas. We believe we've landed the ideal combination of star programmers to ensure the ongoing success of these stations."
Cumulus Chicago Vice President/Market Manager Marv Nyren added, "One of the benefits of having great talent throughout Cumulus is that when multi-market opportunities like this come up, we create a win-win-win situation. Having an experienced talent like James Kurdziel take over the reins of Q101 couldn't happen at a better time and the entire staff in Chicago will benefit from his leadership and expertise. While WLS-FM will miss Wade's knowledge and total professionalism, he gets to go back home and stay within the Cumulus family."
Cumulus Minneapolis Vice President/Market Manager Shelly Malecha Wilkes said, "Congratulations to James Kurdziel. James has done an outstanding job in Minneapolis and, while we will miss his daily presence, this is a wonderful opportunity and we're very happy for him. We're also very excited to have Wade Linder back at Cumulus Minneapolis. Wade was an original architect of KQRS and KXXR. He's a very strong Program Director and the right guy to lead the legendary KQRS. Welcome home, Wade."
