Bracing For Life After Rick & Lisa
• Major changes happening in the hallways of Alpha Media’s group in Hagerstown, MD/Chambersburg, PA, starting with the impending retirement of market legends Rick Alexander and Lisa Harding, who on Friday will sign off from mornings on Hot AC WIKZ (Mix 95.1)/Chambersburg, closing out a remarkable 40-year run!
Immediately following that huge news, the company announced that Ryan Smetzer will take over hosting the WIKZ morning show, starting Monday. Smetzer, who did weekends and nights on WIKZ from 2015-2022, will continue to anchor afternoon drive on Rhythmic sibling WDLD (Live 96.7)/Hagerstown, and middays on WDJX/Louisville.
Market Manager Ed Dorsey said, “I salute Rick Alexander and Lisa Harding for 40 years of service to the Rick and Lisa Morning Show on Mix 95.1. Their dedication and exceptional performance is recognized and greatly appreciated! We wish them continued success and happiness in the coming years. The baton is being passed from Rick and Lisa to local area personality Ryan Smetzer, who will continue with all of the qualities that Mix 95.1 is known for here in the tri-state area.”
Smetzer said, “As someone who grew up listening to the Rick and Lisa show on WIKZ on my school bus, in the car with Mom and Dad, and throughout high school and college, and have been honored to call the two of them colleagues since 2015, I know that the morning show baton being passed on to me is one that has been held by true legends of the airwaves. I hope to carry on the epic tradition of having fun in the morning, and serving the Hagerstown / Chambersburg area community well. I’m thankful to Ed Dorsey and Phil Becker for this insane opportunity, and allowing for me to embark on this new adventure while continuing to hang with my friends on the air in Louisville on 99.7 DJX, and my Live 96.7 community in Hagerstown.”
And there’s more — along with WIKZ’s morning drive transition, it was announced that Rick Alexander’s OM & WIKZ Content Director duties will be divided between 26-year company vet Mike Shriver, Content Director of Live 96.7, who will add Content Director stripes for WIKZ; and 36-year company veteran Mike Holder, Content Director of Classic Rock 94.3 WQCM/Hagerstown, who has been promoted to Operations Manager of the cluster.
Pictured, moments after all these major announcements, (l-r): Mike Shriver, Ryan Smetzer, Rick Alexander, Lisa Harding, and Mike Holder.
