Our On Air Personalities

Roland Armstrong is assigned to AMR through the Experience Works program.  Roland’s project is to work with production of the massive library of Oral History and local music that has accumulated throughout the years.  Roland lives in Pocahontas County with his wife Sue & grandson.  He enjoys fishing & country music.  Roland has been involved with AMR in different capacities since WVMR first went on the air.  He previously worked as a Methodist Pastor.  Roland is the host of Top 40 Country on Saturday afternoons.

Jay Batley, in addition to volunteering at WCHG, together with his wife Anne runs Camp Mont Shenandoah, a small traditional girls’ camp in operation since 1927, in Millboro Springs, VA. Jay hosts The Eclectic Café, Sunday, 6-11 p.m., featuring rock rarities, rock roots, blues, British invasion, and album-oriented rock from 1964-1975.  Eclectic Café includes the weekly Sunday Evening Album.

Elaine Brown is a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer working on the staff at WCHG since Spring 2007. Her experience in theatre and her eclectic taste in a wide variety of music make her well suited to DJ her own show, The Crossroads, on Thursday evening 8-10pm. During the day she works as a news reporter, gathering news stories from Bath County and putting together Allegheny Mountain Radio’s weekly Allegheny Arts Showcase.

AG & Kate air a weekly show on Allegheny Mountain Radio each Wednesday afternoon called Country Connections, featuring country, folk, and bluegrass music. Based in Holland, where they have their own “Grand Ole Opry,” they have been involved in performing, recording, and broadcasting since 1972. They spend the majority of each year on tour in England and the United States, where they visit and perform at festivals, churches, and prisons. They have recorded more than 45 albums, tapes, and CD’s, and play multiple acoustic instruments, including guitar, autoharp, banjo, and mountain dulcimer. Their tour locations, history, music, and contact information are available at www.agandkate.org.

Diane Buzzard is the WVMR Station Coordinator & our Saturday morning host.  Diane coordinates station volunteers, and does outreach to garner support from businesses, and coordinates daytime air shift coverage.  On Saturday mornings at 10, Diane hosts Buzzard's Roost, with music from the Buzzard's eye-view. Diane is a Greenbrier County WV native, has three children, and lives in Pocahontas County with her husband Jim.  Diane enjoys shopping, and is a talented Wedding Planner.

Loren Buzzard is our Sunday morning radio host.  Loren is a Senior at Pocahontas County High School and has been involved with AMR for several years.  Loren enjoys playing his guitar & also hosts The Haggis Bowl on Thursday afternoons @ 2:00, giving him a chance to share his love & appreciation for all things Celtic. 

Keith Carson moved to Highland County from the Norfolk, VA, area. He has collected musical recordings for four decades, and is especially interested in blues, folk, and rock music. Keith hosts Midnight Ride, with blues, roots, and rock music, on Saturday evenings from 9 to midnight, and also plays bass guitar, having played in two blues/rock bands for several years in Norfolk, He is building a house in the Blue Grass Valley with his wife, Polly.
 
Bill Ellenburg hosts  In the Mood, a Big Band and Swing show Thursday evenings on WVLS and Radio Durbin. He also has been a member of the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Board of Directors & a former employee of AMR. Bill lived and worked for the National Security Agency in Maryland for 35 years before coming to Virginia.  He now makes his home in Highland County with his wife and high-school sweetheart Mary. They have one daughter.

John Gibb is a volunteer DJ who became involved with WVMR through his participation in the “Airheads” student broadcasting group. He hosts his own show, Up and Coming, every Saturday afternoon, and prefers Country, Pop, and Rock music. John is a Communications Curriculum major, and plays trumpet, xylophone, and baritone; his hobbies include playing in the band, Boy Scouts, and participating in Drama Club performances, and going to church. He speaks Spanish, and loves travel (especially overseas). John and his family have 2 turtles, 2 dogs, and 2 cats.

Bonnie Gills is the WCHG Station Coordinator. She coordinates volunteer activity and works with local businesses and organizations to build up support for radio and to promote enterprises in the county. After moving from Richmond, VA, where she was active in radio, Bonnie settled in Augusta County and trained at WVLS before taking the helm at WCHG. Bonnie is the host of Country Roads Fridays @ 1:00 PM.

"Cousin Julian" Griffin is a long-time volunteer at WCHG. You can hear Julian on DJ Willie’s show on Monday night as your "Allegheny Mountain Weatherman." Julian also keeps the WCHG studio tidy (not an easy job) and makes sure all the mail gets to the station in one piece. In the true spirit of volunteerism, Julian helps out in any way he can. Julian and his wife Dicey live in Bath County. Their son Mark has been a volunteer sports reporter for AMR.

Richard & Karen Hise live in Hot Springs, VA. They have been singing together for several years, and have recorded a gospel CD.  They sing throughout the community at various churches and functions, and are the inspiration behind AMR’s annual Gospel Jubilee. Richard & Karen can be heard on the network Sunday mornings @ 10:00 AM as they host their Gospel Hour.

Homer Hunter lives in Stony Bottom. He hosts the Tuesday morning Gospel and Country hours, is a Board member of the PCCC Board, and is quite active in the community. Homer was raised in Boone County in a coal mining family, where his father not only was a miner, but also preached. Homer, along with his family, sang on his father’s radio program. He served in the Marines in Vietnam, then spent a career in the chemical industry in Kanawha County. Since retiring, he has lived in Pocahontas County, performing volunteer community service and frequently singing and playing music with his brothers and sisters as well as other musical groups.

Jan Jonese hosts the Morning Drive on Allegheny Mountain Radio and is Underwriting Salesperson for WVMR. Weekday mornings from 6 to 10, Jan brings you a great mix of country, bluegrass, old-time and oldies, along with local, state, and national news, weather, and community events. Her sunny disposition will help you start the day right, and she's always happy to play your requests and dedications, announce lost-and-found dogs and cats, and just chat with a listener.  Jan is a Pocahontas County native, and lives with her husband Mark, and their four children.

Cheryl Kinderman is the General Manager of Allegheny Mountain Radio.  Cheryl is a Webster County, WV native and attended WV Wesleyan College.  She has lived in Pocahontas County since 1983, and started with AMR in 2000.  Before joining the AMR staff, Cheryl was a Social Worker at The Pocahontas Center in Marlinton. She has two daughters, and lives with her husband Gibbs, and a "menagerie" of animal children.  You can hear Cheryl on the radio Monday thru Thursday at Noon as she hosts Noon Hour Magazine, as well as other times. Cheryl, as the GM, is responsible for everything that happens (or doesn't happen) at AMR and is our webmaster.  She is the only employee that works directly for the Board of Directors.  Cheryl enjoys horses, dogs, fishing, and computers.

Gibbs Kinderman is the Director of Special Projects for Allegheny Mountain Radio & the host of The Celtic Hour Thursdays @ 1:00. He oversees the production of programs for national distribution, handles sales of AMR's local books and CDs, and supervises the regional VISTA program for the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation.  Gibbs moved to West Virginia in 1966 and has lived in Pocahontas County since 1978.  He was instrumental in founding AMR.  Gibbs enjoys reading, politics, and is known as the great communicator.

Norris Long is the host of Bluegrass Reflections Sundays from 12 to 4. He’s been a volunteer at WVMR since 1981, shortly after the station’s beginning. Norris says he feels a personal responsibility to promote traditional music, and works tirelessly toward that goal, not only through his regular Sunday afternoon show, but also as a performing musician (he plays bass) with his band. He lives in Pocahontas County, and spends his spare time riding his motorcycle.

Scott and Nancy Miller have been involved with WCHG as DJ’s since the Fall of 2006. Together they co-host a show on Tuesday evenings, Across the Board, 6 to 8pm, that is a mix of several genres, including Americana, rock, blues, jazz, and alternative styles. They are residents of Bath County and enjoy gardening, outdoor activities, and volunteering.

Chuck Niday is the Allegheny Mountain Radio Chief Engineer (with an FCC General Radio telephone License), a volunteer DJ co-hosting a Wednesday evening show, Something Different, with his wife Heather, and an Amateur Radio Operator with a General Class license. Chuck is also an accomplished musician, having played the baritone horn with the Richmond Concert Band for 10 years, and has a general aviation private pilot’s license. His broadcasting experience spans 3 decades and multiple radio stations, and his engineering work includes radio-related work in Virginia with the Department of Transportation, the State Police, Department of Health Emergency Medical Services, and a local Electric Co-op. His “daytime job” is with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Heather Niday is our News Director. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay.  She joined the AMR staff in February of 2007.    Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia area, and lives in Arbovale, WV with her husband Chuck.  Heather is a wonderful flute player, and enjoys playing with the Shinnston Community Band.  You can hear Heather on the radio during news broadcasts and also on Wednesday nights from 10-midnight as she co-hosts Something Different, featuring Jazz, with her husband Chuck. 

Bart Perdue is the WVLS Station Coordinator.  He started with AMR in January 2007. Bart works with volunteers to fill broadcasting opportunities, does production work & contacts local businesses to solicit their support for community radio.   Bart can be heard on the radio as he covers local news as a reporter on Allegheny Mountain Radio.  Bart lives in Bath County with his wife Marsha & their two daughters Faith and Hope, and is an avid outdoorsman

Pete "Mr. Smooth Jazz" Pitard is a Smooth Jazz fanatic! He loves teenagers, teaching, reading, and Wednesday nights on WCHG.  Pete hosts Lites Out Jazz Wednesday nights from 8 to 10, on WCHG, the best smooth jazz in Bath County. "Smoother and cooler than the other side of the pillow."   Pete is the Principal @ Bath County High School, & he and his wife Esme’ make their home in Bath County.

Carson Ralston is the Assistant General Manager of Allegheny Mountain Radio.  He started as a volunteer deejay at WVLS in 1995, and joined the AMR staff in August, 2004.  Carson is a Virginia native and lives in Monterey, VA.  Before joining the AMR staff, Carson was the Monterey Postmaster.  You can hear Carson on the radio Tuesday evenings from 6 until 8 as he hosts Crusin With Carson, which features rock-n-roll oldies.  Carson is in charge of Underwriting Sales for AMR, supervises operations at WVLS, and coordinates AMR's annual Holiday Basketball Tourney along with numerous other responsibilities.  Carson enjoys spending time at the beach and is an avid fisherman.

Gary Reynolds hosts the Gospel and Country hours on Monday morning. Gary loves music, especially Southern Gospel, classic country, and 50’s/60’s Rock & Roll. He plays guitar and sings, and has composed over 800 songs. Gary was an educator for 32 years, both as teacher and Principal at the elementary and middle-school levels. He is currently Pastor of the Frank Church of the Nazarene in northern Pocahontas County, and has pastored for 46 years. He and his wife live in Frank, WV.  

Brian Richardson is a volunteer DJ at WVLS who enjoys a variety of music, including pop rock, folk, and blues. He now hosts a show on Tuesday evenings, Blue Roads, 8 to 10:00, but also co-hosted an evening FM show for 5 years on WVLS in the last 1990’s.  During the day he is an attorney, and, together with his wife, Betty, manages a farm in the Blue Grass Valley with an assortment of animals, including dogs, horses, a cat, chickens, and sheep. In his spare time he likes to rebuild and ride motorcycles.

Randy Richardson is your host Thursday nights from 8 to midnight for Record Rendezvous on WVLS and Radio Durbin.  Randy plays a mix of music - folk, rock, blues, oldies and a little bit of everything else. He also serves as a member of the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Board of Directors. Randy lives near Monterey with his wife Winnie (also a radio volunteer), and faithful dog Gretel.

Winnie Richardson is a volunteer DJ who hosts a folk music show, Pooh’s Corner, Wednesday evenings 6 to 8pm. She has worked as a volunteer with WVLS since its beginning in 1995. Winnie plays a mix of folk and light rock, and enjoys gardening and driving back roads with her husband, Randy, and their dog, Gretel. She has been a special education teacher for several years in the Highland County school system, and previously worked in television.

Lisa Rodgers is a volunteer DJ & hosts Spirit Rocks Sunday afternoons from 4 to 6 pm.  She started her show in November 2007.  Lisa has run her own medical billing business for 15 years & enjoys playing her guitar & singing.  She lives in Pendleton County WV with her husband Fred, son Samuel, daughter Amber & their black lab, Spotty.
 

Norma Jean Schnakenberg hosts a Tuesday evening show, Remember When, 8 to 10pm, featuring rock & roll, country, bluegrass, rock, gospel, and a bit of everything else! After spending 37 years as a civil servant, she and her husband, Ron, moved to Bath County, where they currently reside. She enjoys travel, reading, some golf, her grandchildren, and being involved with radio.

Caroline Sharp is the host of the Evening Drive (also known as Traffic Jam), and is responsible for production.  From 3 to 6 p.m. each weekday afternoon, she plays a great eclectic mix of oldies, country and bluegrass to help move you from workday to evening. She'll also bring you local, state, and national news, Community Calendar and weather information, and just keep you company on your way home.  Caroline is a West Virginia native, and loves the outdoors.  This girl KNOWS music!!!

"DJ Willie" Smith is the host of The Rockin’ Country Show and The Bluegrass Hour, Monday nights from 8 to 10 on the FM network.  You’ll hear a variety of country from yesterday and today, including favorites like George Jones, Merle Haggard, and George Strait, followed by Top 30 bluegrass, along with some old favorites like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley. On alternating Fridays, Willie hosts TGIF Bluegrass from 2 to 3.  Besides radio, Willie’s true love is making music with his bluegrass band, 220 South, and his fiancée’ Whit. He lives in Bath County and works for Dominion Power at the Pumped Storage Station.

Doug Smith hosts The Show Tonight, an eclectic mix, Fridays at 6 o’clock.  Doug is sometimes known as the “Iron Man”  because of some of his 12 hour continuous broadcasts. Doug’s extensive album collection enables him to provide a very interesting mix of music. When a volunteer is needed Doug is at the top of the phone list. Doug, a retired businessman, and wife Caroline, an equally active community volunteer, live at Mill Gap in Highland County.

Heidi Smith is a volunteer DJ who hosts a country and rock music show called The Mix on Thursday evenings 6 to 8pm. She started volunteering at WCHG in the Fall 2005 as a result of encouragement from her school Principal, Pete Pitard. Heidi likes all kinds of music, and makes her own on the trumpet, which she enjoys playing. Residing in Hot Springs, Heidi has an assortment of animals, including cats, a dog, horses, and a turtle!

J. T. (Jim Thomas) hosts the Gospel Hour on Wednesday mornings at 10 and Drugstore Cowboy, a country show, Wednesdays from 11 to Noon.  J. T.’s shows have a large and loyal following.  With trivia questions and regular “Chicken Jokes,” J. T. keeps the phones ringing for two hours every Wednesday!  J. T. & his wife, Joy, who also pitches in @ WVMR, reside in Pocahontas County. He is a retired WV DOH supervisor, and originally hails from Fayette County.

Steve Timberlake is the host of two shows on the FM network. This guy knows music! Saturday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., he brings you the best of new Country and Rock mixed with the old. On Monday nights, he is with us from 6 to 8 p.m., bringing you the best in country and bluegrass. Steve offers listeners his ability to stay abreast of the music as it is released along with the experience to comfortably offer rock and roll as an alternative. He lives in Pendleton County, WV, just north of the Highland County line.

Velma Waddell lives in Arbovale, WV.   She hosts the Gospel Hour Fridays from 10-11 and Home on the Range, a Country and Western music show, Fridays @ 11:00.  Velma has been involved with WVMR for about 15 years, and was on staff for several years.

Joanne Woodzell hosts The Afternoon Gazebo, Monday afternoon, from 1-3, playing music that has a story to tell and a message people can relate to. She and her husband Teddy live in Bath County, and are the parents of five children, and have 13 grandchildren.  Joanne is a talented musician, vocalist & photographer.