Voices
AG
Country Connections, Monday 2:00 PM
AG is a long time volunteers at AMR, garnering a wide international listening audience each week on his show via the AMR web stream. His program, Country Connections, features country, folk, and bluegrass music. Based in Holland where he has his own “Grand Ole Opry,” he has been involved in performing, recording, and broadcasting since 1972. He spent several months of each year on tour in England and the US, where he visited and performed at festivals, churches, and prisons. He has recorded more than 45 albums, tapes, and CDs, and play multiple acoustic instruments including guitar, autoharp, banjo and mountain dulcimer.
Sam Botkin
For The People, Every Other Thursday, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Sam is the host of For The People on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. In his own words - "This is Sam Botkin, also known as “Outlaw” (HcOutlaw) , coming to you to tell y'all just a little bit about myself. I am a man on a mission to spread the love of music. Music is my crutch and consumes my entire life. It helps me get through the hard times and inspires me to be a better person than I was yesterday. This is a movement to inspire people to just be themselves and to SPREAD LOVE, NOT HATE! For The People radio show is brought to you in part by, Mr. bossdog himself, (Scott Smith), who has graciously given me the chance to redeem myself and showed me my true passion in life. And that is to give you guys good music and maybe a little bit of laughter 😆 Thank you for your time and also thank you for y’all’s support
Much Love
HcOutlaw ✌🏻💚🎵 TikTok @hcoutlaw93; YouTube @hcoutlaw93; Instagram @hcoutlaw; Facebook Sam Botkin (HcOutlaw)
Danny Cardwell
Gospel and Country Hours, Thursday, 10:00 AM to Noon
Danny Cardwell is the station coordinator for WCHG, and the host of our gospel and country hours on Wednesdays 10:00 am to noon. He and his wife Renee Cardwell live with a spoiled dog (Toddie) in Hot Springs. Danny is a Deacon at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Hot Springs. He operates Thoughtwrestler.blogspot.com, and is a site administrator and featured writer for the website Dagblog.com. He has been a frequent contributor to The Hal Ginsberg Morning Show, All Politics Are Local, and Politics Done Right. Danny has tutored, lectured, and mentored at risk youth in churches, group homes, and inside the Virginia Department Corrections. He serves on the board of directors for Preservation Bath. Danny@amrmail.org
Caroline Tacy Cassell
Gospel and Country Hours, Wednesday 10:00 AM to Noon
Caroline started volunteering at Allegheny Mountain Radio in 2011, co-hosting a two hour show of gospel and country with the late Mary Paul, and currently co-hosts The Gospel and Country hours with Agnes Boyles from 10am thru Noon on Thursdays. Caroline was born and raised in the town of Cass WV, when Cass was a booming town. She worked as a telephone operator in Cass, at a sewing factory in Cass, and as a bus driver for MTA. She retired after working 26 years for Snowshoe Mountain Resort. She was married to her childhood sweetheart, the late Brown Cassell.
Karen Cohen
Soul Survivor - Thursdays 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Karen Cohen is a volunteer DJ for Allegheny Mountain Radio and hosts as KC, little sis, for Soul Survivor on Thursday 1-3pm. Her first live concert at the age of 13 was Little Stevie Wonder opening for the Supremes. She credits her parents for her love of all kinds of music. Her dad liked classical, opera, polkas, and played the accordion; her mom loved the top hit singers of rock and soul music. Music was always playing in her house and still IS!
Born and raised in the garden state, New Jersey, Karen received her Professional Photographers Diploma from Germain School of Photography in NYC and worked in that field for decades. She freelanced as a rock and roll photojournalist and her work has been published in various music trade magazines. In 2012, the Aquarian Weekly magazine from NJ was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio which includes Karen’s articles and photographs.
Karen writes a weekly column called Nature’s Way for the Mountain Messenger newspaper out of Lewisburg, WV. She has won many photography awards in shows throughout the USA, including Carnegie Hall, WV. She is an exhibiting artist/member of Tamarack and also acts as a juror for Tamarack and other art galleries. Karen and her husband, Tim, are married for forty years, they are organic growers, avid travelers, and have lived off and on in Frankford, WV for twenty-five years and now are permanent residents with their two dogs and two cats.
Agnes Doyle
Sweet By and By Gospel Hour and Box of Chocolates Country Hour - 10:00 AM to Noon
Agnes Doyle hosts the Monday morning 10 AM to Noon “Sweet By and By Gospel Hour” and “Box of Chocolates Country Hour,” so named because - as the saying goes - you never know what you’re gonna get. She became a DJ in August 2011. Agnes is a local girl; she grew up on a farm in Stony Bottom, WV, and went to Cass Graded School and Green Bank High School. After a 40 something year time away, she retired and moved back to the hills she loves. She sings and plays piano at church, and “plays at” various other instruments, including a new found interest in learning the Irish Tin Whistle, which is turning out to be quite a challenge.
Abby Dufour
Dufour Dujour, Monday-Friday, 3:00 - 6:00 pm, WCHG News Reporter
After graduating from Bath County High School in 2012, she worked on music- flying out to Colorado and eventually Texas where she lived for over 2 years. In 2017, she moved back to her hometown in Bath County. In her free time, she likes to read, do art, and drink coffee. She’s very thankful to work in a place that is in beautiful Appalachia and allows her to be creative and write. She is always looking for a story and interviews to do with the public.
Miles Goodall
A Cup of Blues, Every Other Monday 8:00 – 10:00 PM.
Miles is a native of Pocahontas and Highland counties and graduated from Pocahontas County High School in 2015. After attending Virginia Tech and DJing for the student-run station, he moved back to the area in 2020 and became involved with AMR that fall. Miles can usually be found with his nose in a book or his feet in a stream while whistling a tune. A Cup of Blues consists of a funky, diverse and sometimes weird collection of songs from all ages, and requests are greatly appreciated!
Kyle Graae
The Graae Area Saturdays 9:00 PM - Midnite
"Life isn't always so black and white, there is a whole lot of gray area. So let the music guide you."
Richard and Karen Hise
Richard and Karen Gospel Hour, Sunday 10:00 AM
Richard and Karen live in Hot Springs, VA. They have been singing together for several years and recently recorded a gospel CD. Richard and Karen sing throughout the community at various churches and functions. Richard and Karen can be heard on the network Sunday mornings at 10:00 as they host their Gospel Hour.
"Big John" Imlay
Backroads Country – Sunday 4:00 - 6:00 PM
John Imlay is a volunteer DJ for Allegheny Mountain Radio (AMR) and the host of “Backroads Country”, Sundays from 4:00 to 6:00pm. John is also on the board of directors of the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative Corporation.
Born in Vienna, VA and raised in Manassas, VA John credits his love of traditional country,bluegrass and gospel music to his parents.
John is married to fellow DJ Joann (JoJo) of Jo-Jo’s Classic Hits. They have been married for over 35 years and have two children as well as two beautiful grandchildren.
John is a retired professional firefighter. His career included 6 years as a volunteer first responder for Prince William County Fire & Rescue which led to a full time professional career as a Fire Technician with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue. John also was a small business owner for 21 years with “Big John’s Onsite Cooking and Deer Processing”. John retired from the fire service in 2013 and his business in 2021. After the retirement of his wife Joann, they moved permanently to Highland County where they live outside of Monterey enjoying the beautiful 360 degrees of vistas from their “House on the Hill”.
In his spare time, John enjoys hunting, fishing and going back to the Amissville (Culpeper County) VA area to visit his kids and being Pap-Pap to his two beautiful grandchildren.
Joann "JoJo" Imlay
JOJO’S CLASSIC HITS, EVERY OTHER TUESDAY 8:00 – 10:00PM
Joann Imlay is a volunteer DJ for Allegheny Mountain Radio (AMR) and the host of “JoJo’s Classic Hits”, every other Tuesday from 8:00PM-10:00PM.
Joann credits her parents for her love of all genres of music of which her favorites are 70’s and 80’s pop/rock hits. Don’t be surprised though if you hear a special themed show highlighting legends like Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Nat King Cole in her show as well as “Big Band” hits from the 1940’s and “oldies” from the 1950’s and 1960’s of which Joann is a fan thanks to growing up with the stereo on in the house and her parents’ love of music. She enjoys sharing these classic hits and a bit of music history/trivia, as well as her appreciation and love of this music with her fellow listeners.
Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Joann grew up traveling the US and overseas as a USAF military brat. With the retirement of her father from the Air Force the family moved to the DC Metro area where her father found a career post military retirement. Joann attended, graduated college from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and had a rewarding career as a CPA in the DC Metro area in the areas of public accounting, finance and finally as a civilian with the federal government within the intelligence community. Joann met her future husband AMR DJ John (Big John) from “Backroads Country” while in college working part-time in the summers at a local Manassas, VA shopping mall. Joann and John married soon after her graduation from college and raised two children. They have both been together, including marriage for over 40 years.
After a 30-year professional career, Joann retired in 2021. She and John moved soon after her retirement to Highland County where they are permanent residents living outside of Monterey enjoying the beautiful views from their two porches, working outside on their property and “living the good life”.
In her spare time Joann enjoys reading, watching classic old Hollywood movies, gardening, and going back to the Amissville (Culpeper County) VA area to visit with her kids and being “Mimi” to two beautiful grandchildren.
Wayne Jeffers
Friday Night Fish Fry – Every Other Friday 6:00 to 10:00 PM.
Wayne began volunteering at AMR in 2015. Wayne’s family goes back to the late 1600s in Virginia and West Virginia. He grew up in Cabell County, WV, with parents from Clay County, WV, graduated with a BA in History from WVU, and retired to Pocahontas County after spending most of his working life living in Ohio. Wayne had a love of folk music from an early age, which evolved into a love of folk-blues and electric blues. Apart from folk music and classic blues, Wayne also plays rock from the late 1960s and classic country music. Wayne lives in Hillsboro with his wife, Michelle, and spends as much time as possible messing around in his workshop.
Dwayne Kennison
Its Five O'clock Somewhere - Every Other Saturday From 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Dwayne Kennison, AKA ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Joker’ hosts 2 hours of rockin’ fun on ‘Its Five O'clock Somewhere’ bi-weekly on Saturdays from 6-9 pm. He has been a DJ at AMR since July 2014 and was the WVMR Station Coordinator from Aug 2015 to Sept. 2020. Dwayne is also a writer, actor and musician. He currently records remotely from Conway, SC.
Joyce Kennison
For Those About To Rock’ Every other Saturday from 3:00 - 5:00 pm and ‘Glorious Gospel - Sundays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.)
Joyce Kennison, AKA ‘The Lil Red headed Intern’ has been a DJ at AMR since 2015. She is currently the host of ‘For Those About To Rock’ (Bi-weekly Saturday afternoons from 3-5 pm.) and ‘Glorious Gospel” (Sunday’s from 9 to 10 AM.) Red also previously hosted ‘Glorious Gospel/Kickin’ Country’ and ‘A Mixed Bag of Nuts’ as well as a fill in host on various other genre of shows, and was a physical volunteer from 2015 to 2020. In her spare time, she is a full-time nurse. She currently records her shows from Conway, SC.
Norris Long
Bluegrass Reflections, Sunday Noon - 4:00 PM & TGIF Bluegrass, Every Other Friday 2:00 PM
Norris is the host of Bluegrass Reflections, Sundays from noon to 4:00 pm. He also hosts TGIF Bluegrass, Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:00, alternating with DJ Willie. Norris has been a volunteer at AMR since 1981, shortly after the station's beginning. He says he feels a personal responsibility to promote traditional music, and he works tirelessly toward that goal, not only through his regular Sunday afternoon show, but also as a performing musician. He lives in Pocahontas County and he spends his spare time riding his motorcycle.
Ben Lukacek
Glorious Gospel and Kickin' Kountry - Tuesdays From 10:00 am - Noon)
Ben is the morning host on Tuesdays for Glorious Gospel and Kickin Kountry. He is known as "Hoosier in the Hills" Ben was born and raised in Spring Grove, a small suburb of Richmond........Indiana of course. Ben is active in many aspects of public performance. In high school he ran the local access TV station, he helped back stage at the local theater when he wasn't in the show and he still plays cello in the Highland Community Orchestra along with his duties here. He is not very funny, but he enjoys telling bad dad jokes. Tune in and enjoy.
Tony McClain
Tony And The Morning Drive, Every Weekday From 6:00 - 10:00 AM
is Station Coordinator for WVMR, and the host of Tony and The Morning Drive every weekday on AMR. Born in Beckley WV, he has roots in Pocahontas County going back over 200 years. He has lived in every U.S. time zone, but Pocahontas has always been the place called home. His long-time family roots have contributed to a deep interest in local history. Tony has been a longtime working musician for the last 30 + years playing various types of music in many different settings and locations. In recent years, he has left the stage life to enjoy other interests and moved home to Pocahontas County on a full-time basis. Tony is the proud father of two grown children and enjoys woodworking, hunting, fishing, and hiking in the mountains, along with riding his ATV while looking after his family land. He can be reached at tony@amrmail.org
Chuck Niday
Something Different, Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Chuck 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 an accomplished musician, who played the baritone horn with the Richmond Concert Band for 10 years. Chuck's broadcasting experience spans three 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
Something Different, Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Heather is the Program/News Director for Allegheny Mountain Radio. She started with AMR as a volunteer DJ with husband Chuck almost as soon as they moved to the area in 1997. Her education and background is in computers and banking. After moving to West Virginia, when husband Chuck got a job at the NRAO, she worked at Snowshoe Mountain resort for over 9 years, in the retail dept. She joined the AMR staff in February 2007 as assistant news director. She plays the flute and is choir director for Arbovale United Methodist church. Heather and Chuck live in Boyer in northern Pocahontas County with their dog and three cats.
Pete Pitard
Lites Out Jazz, Wednesday 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Pete "Mr. Smooth Jazz" Pitard is a smooth jazz fanatic! He loves teenagers, teaching, reading, and Wednesday nights on the AMR FM network. Pete hosts Lites Out Jazz on Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 on AMR and from 8:00 to 10:00 on the FM network. He says that his show is the best smooth jazz in Bath County - "smoother and cooler than the other side of the pillow." Pete is the former principal at Bath County High School and now teaches at Covington high School. Pete and his wife, Esme, make their home in Bath County. Pete is the 2014 Star Award recipient for Allegheny Mountain Radio.
Bonnie Ralston
Cruisin' Tuesday 1:00 - 3:00 PM, WVLS News Reporter
Bonnie Ralston is the Assistant Station Coordinator at WVLS and a Highland County news reporter. She began volunteering at Allegheny Mountain Radio in the fall of 2005. In 2006 she became an AMR employee and worked in Bath County for eight years as the WCHG Station Coordinator and then as the news reporter there. She began working in radio while in college and has stayed connected to radio, in one way or another, for more than thirty years. She grew up in Staunton, Virginia, while spending a lot of time on her family's farm in Deerfield, Virginia. She enjoys spending time outside, watching old TV shows and movies and tending to her chickens.
Scott Smith
Must See Radio, Sunday 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Scott's family has deep roots in Highland County. While he did not grow up here, he spent as much time as possible on the family farm, and eventually moved to Highland to continue the tradition, which he still pursues with his cousin. Unfortunately, farming doesn't pay all the bills, so he has taken other jobs to support his farming hobby, including pressman/writer for The Recorder, Ag Projects Coordinator for The Highland Center, and now AMR General Manager and WVLS Station Coordinator. He lives in Hightown with wife Michelle. In his spare time, he wishes he had more spare time, especially to ride his prized Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Willie Smith
TGIF Bluegrass, Every Other Friday 2:00 PM
On alternate Fridays, Willie hosts TGIF Bluegrass from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. "DJ Willie also produces and hosts WCHG's annual Bath Buegrass Jamboree. Besides radio, Willie's true love is making music with his bluegrass band, Southern Rail Express. He lives in Bath County and works for Dominion Power at the Pumped Storage Station.
Steve Timberlake
Country and Bluegrass Mondays 6:00 – 8:00 PM
A.M.R. is more than a bunch of radio dial locations – it’s 40 years of wonderful folks from our area counties coming together to entertain and inform our community. No formats, or playlists, and mostly live D.J. programmers.
It’s been an honor and a pleasure to have been part of the 40 years since I started in 1998. It’s still fun to come in and do a music show.
My special thanks to A.M.R. founder Mr. Gibbs Kinderman. We wouldn’t be here without his vision. Also, to my friends at WVLS: Randy and Winnie Richardson, the late Keith Smith, Doug Smith and Keith Carson; and our station coordinators through the years: Mary Sweitzer, Carson Ralston, Erin Will and Scott Smith.
Most special are our listeners and supporters, both individuals and businesses.
Here’s to 40 more years.
God bless you all.
S.T.
Karly Van Meter
Gospel And Country Fridays 10:00 - Noon, Karly's Krazy Train Every Other Tuesday 8:00 - 10:00 PM
is a Production Assistant for Allegheny Mountain Radio. Karly has been working with AMR Since February 2024, and she’s been working as a music production editing assistant, a role that blends her passion for music with her professional skills. In early September 2024, she expanded her contributions by hosting the country/gospel show every Friday morning and then took on her own segment, "Karly's Krazy Train," every other Tuesday from 8-10 PM in early November of 2024. Music is more than a passion —it's her daily lifeline. “Working at AMR is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and has been my favorite job I've ever taken on.” she said. Karly is also about to graduate from Berklee College of music in 2026 which is another huge musical accomplishment for her. She can be reached at karly@amrmail.org.
Tim Walker
WVMR News Reporter
Tim is a native of Maryland who started coming to Pocahontas County in the 1970’s as a caver. He bought land on Droop Mountain off Jacox Road in 1976 and built a small house there in the early 80’s. While still working in Maryland, Tim spent much time at his place which is located on the Friars Hole Cave Preserve. Retiring in 2011 as a Lieutenant with the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland, Tim finally took the plunge and moved from Maryland to his real home on Droop Mountain. He began working as the Pocahontas County Reporter for Allegheny Mountain Radio in January of 2015.
Melodie Wilson
The Twisted Sisters - Every Other Thursday 8:00 - Midnight
Melodie Wilson is the co-host of "Twisted Sisters" and can be heard every other Thursday starting at 8pm. She loves to hear from listeners and is always ready to play a song request. As far as music is concerned, she likes most genres although she grew up listening to country music. Melodie moved to Hillsboro, West Virginia five years ago. Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, she also lived in Dallas Texas, and most recently in Chandler, Arizona before moving to West Virginia. She has two wonderful children, Josh and Faith. Melodie has a degree in Visual Communications, Graphic Design.