Tony & Kris Wake Up In Knoxville
It appears that yesterday’s carefully constructed speculation contained more than a kernel of truth — Cumulus Media formally announced that veteran Country wake-up duo Tony Randall and Kris Rochester will indeed become the new morning team on heritage Country WIVK/Knoxville, TN — becoming only the fourth morning show in the station’s history. The Tony & Kris Morning Show debuts Monday, July 17 and will air weekdays from 5:30-10am. They will succeed WIVK’s award-winning 20-year morning team, Andy Ritchie and Alison Mencer, who recently announced their retirement after 20 years. Tony & Kris will also be developing a new music-based weekend show for WIVK, with details TBA.
The guys first teamed up in 1991 at Country WHMA/Anniston-Oxford, AL. They later went on major market success at KSON and KUSS/San Diego and enjoyed a lengthy syndication run with Premiere Radio Networks, and most recently, with United Stations Radio Networks until May of this year. Tony commented, “When we hung it up in May, we couldn’t have imagined this incredible opportunity would present itself. ‘Getting the band back together’ and working with a legendary station like WIVK and their winning team is the most exciting thing to happen to us since our first big break in San Diego 24 years ago.” Kris added, “I knew if I was going to come back to radio it would have to be to a proven winner of a station, with an amazing team involved. WIVK is the very definition of that. Add the fact that we’ll have the opportunity to feature and break new music on our weekend show and I couldn’t be more excited.”
VP/Market Manager Ken Salyer remarked, “WIVK and Tony & Kris are a perfect pairing for the future.” OM Jeff Jarnigan said, “When you’re involved in hiring only the fourth morning show in a station’s history you have to get it right. The performance history of Tony & Kris speaks for itself. It’s the right fit at the right time for WIVK.” PD Nikki Thomas added, “Andy & Alison left an indelible mark on Knoxville radio and they will be a hard act to follow. Tony & Kris are excited to be moving to Knoxville and we’re excited to turn them into Big Orange fans, especially Kris. We’re enrolling him in ‘Roll Tide Rehabilitation’ classes as soon as he arrives.”
