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A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on July 6, 2026, 10:27 am

If you tune into 97.1 The Drive come 7P (CT) weeknights, you won't be entering "Alice's Attic with Alice Cooper" anymore. Instead, you'll be hearing a new voice from 7P-Midnight evenings spinning "Chicago's Classic Rock".

Her name is Lauren Elwell, better known as "Lern" to Classic Rock fans on The Drive's legendary sister station in the Hubbard Radio family, KSHE 95 in St. Louis. Elwell has been a fixture on KSHE dating back to 2008. The same KSHE that also employs The Drive's veteran afternoon host Tim Virgin.

There is a difference between Virgin & Elwell. While Virgin's show airs in afternoons on BOTH KSHE & The Drive, separated by just 1 hour, Elwell will be heard in different time slots on the 2 stations.

"Lern" as she's affectionately known will still be heard middays 10A-2P (CT) on KSHE in St.Louis. At The Drive, her voice will be heard in the time slot most recently occupied by Cooper, who is currently on a European tour. That will be 7P-Midnight (CT) Monday through Friday.

To "Lern" more about The Drive's newest host, note the spelling, here is a link to her bio:

https://wdrv.com/shows/lauren-lern-elwell/

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on July 6, 2026, 2:40 pm, in reply to "A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

Here's even more to "Lern" about Lauren "Lern" Elwell signing on nights at 97.1 The Drive, including comments from "Lern" and her new Chicago boss, WDRV-FM Brand & Content Director Keith Hastings:

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/363581/wdrv-to-learn-about-lern-in-nights/

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by PhilJSmith User icon on July 6, 2026, 4:01 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

Although I am not a big fan of voice tracking and remote programming, if it has to come from somewhere, Lern @ KSHE 95 is alright with me.

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on July 6, 2026, 6:31 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

I think that’s also how Tim Virgin does his show as well afternoons on BOTH KSHE 95 in St. Louis & 97.1 The Drive here. His show starts at 2P in St. Louis on KSHE & then 1 hour later on The Drive in Chicago.

They’ll originate their Drive shows at KSHE, thanks to the ISDN line. Not to get too technical…

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by Hunter User icon on July 6, 2026, 6:58 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

I read this thread rather quickly. Someone correct me if my information is incorrect.

The Drive 97.1/WDRV has made a programming change.

Alice Cooper's syndicated show will no longer be heard on that station? The replacement is female voice tracking.

I doubt if any other Chicago rock station would acquire Cooper's show.

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on July 6, 2026, 9:25 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

Correct. “Alice’s Attic with Alice Cooper” is no more as a result of “Lern’s” addition to the 97.1 The Drive airstaff.

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by WYTZZ95FM User icon on July 6, 2026, 10:04 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

The irony is, “Alice’s Attic with Alice Cooper” still airs on KSHE!

Z

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by WYTZZ95FM User icon on July 6, 2026, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

thanks to the ISDN line. Not to get too technical…

ISDN lines started fading off many, many moons ago. Most of the world is decommissioning ISDN since fiber is becoming plentiful and cheap. The standard for VT these days, it ends up in the cloud, since that has taken hold since the ISDN days. But ISDN was big time in broadcasting, back in the day tying studios together, along with T1 lines.

Z

Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on July 6, 2026, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: A "Lern"-ing Experience Taking Over Evenings on The Drive "

Well, I remember hearing about ISDN lines years ago. It made it sound like a guest was actually in the studio with the on air talent instead of on the phone. It was long before the whole voice tracking concept.

The power of technology!

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