Like many boomer kids my exposure to radio was early as my parents hauled me and my older sister around to the doctor’s office or Yellowstone National Park or places in between. Radio was always ‘there’ and I was fascinated by it. I called my first talk show at 10 years old no doubt parroting my father’s opinion on the Viet Nam war. I can still remember how nervous I got waiting for the host to take my call.
I qualified for a Broadcast Operators Permit as soon as I reached the legal age of 14. My first job was with WHIS AM/FM, Bluefield, WV.
By 20 I had worked all over the country and was on the air at WHHY radio in Montgomery, AL when I received a call from my folks telling me that they heard a radio station in Beckley was for sale. That station was WCIR.
In 1975 my father and I began Southern Communications Corp and the real fun began….and continues.
General Manager
breger@Southernwvmedia.com
Beth has been the Office Manager for Southern Communications since April 2015, taking the Station Manager position in February 2021.
Beth is also currently the Executive Officer of the Southern WV Home Builders Association.
She coordinates the Women’s Expo, Home & Leisure Show along with the annual Southern WV Home Builders Association and Toys for Tots Golf Outing.
Beth grew up in Fayetteville WV and now lives in Beckley with her husband Jason, she has two daughters Amanda and Kristina and a handsome grandson Bryson.
Beth enjoys bow hunting, fishing and loves the outdoors.
Director of Group Programming
Rick Rizer was born in Oxnard, California. He got his first job in radio as a weekend board operator at KWSO radio. After two years working weekends and fill-in, he left KWSO for KKXX…the number one station in the market and became Jonny Quest. The next 2 years found him bouncing around the Bakersfield market until 1988 when he was hired as afternoon deejay at KRVC in Medford, Oregon. Soon after, he was promoted to program director and morning host. It was during this time Rick met his future wife Lola who was working as an independent record promoter in Nashville. Rick moved to Nashville and on December 20th, 1990 he married Lola. They moved to Bakersfield , then onto Springfield, Missouri in 1994 where the Early Show with Rick & Lola was born at alternative radio station KTOZ, Channel Z95. In 1997, Rick & Lola, along with their 3 kids moved to Beckley, West Virginia. On January 2nd, 1998, The Early Show with Rick & Lola made its debut on WCIR, 103CIR. Since then, they’ve added another child to their family, Belle, and have continued to wake up southern WV weekday morning from 5a-10
Lola Rizer starter her Radio career right out of High School in Missouri. After a field trip to a radio station with her English class, she knew radio was where she was meant to be. She is graduate of Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Past Radio adventures include: KECC, KLFJ, KGBX- Springfield Missouri, KRAB and KLLY in Bakersfield, CA. The Early show with Rick and Lola actually started in Springfield Mo. at KTOZ, where they quickly became a top rated morning show. Rick and Lola moved to West Virginia in 1998. For Lola it was a homecoming. She was born in Beckley and her mothers family are from Oak Hill. If you have read Rick’s bio, you know that she is the mother for 4 amazing humans and loves working in the community and radio. Yes, They are really married.
Amanda is a graduate of Concord University and lives in Glen Daniels with her son, Bryson Fox and her Husband, Seth Wimbish.
This small town girl at heart loves spending time with her family, reading books, rainy days, fashion and all genres of music. She may sing off key, but she will definitely hit the right notes when it comes to managing our office.
Traffic and Continuity
Brenda was born in Streator, Illinois, but only lived there for six months then moved to Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, and finally to her favorite place in the world West “by God” West Virginia. She attended 15 schools from kindergarten (Inverness, Florida) through high school (Denton, Texas). Then Brenda attended college first in Framingham, Massachusetts and then Beckley, West Virginia where she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management degree. Brenda has two beautiful adult children and grandchildren, and she absolutely loves being a grandma. Brenda has been with Southern Communications for 18 years.
Traffic and Continuity
Shawn is a lifelong resident of Southern WVA who enjoys seeing new places and meeting new people. He loves the big city but has a small-town heart. Shawn has a Bachelors in Business Marketing and Management. After scouring the area to enrich his career post-graduation, he finally found a home here at Southern Communications
Marketing Consultant
304-877-8006
Darlene Hodges lives in Beckley with her husband and two beautiful dogs. She has worked in advertising sales since 1989 spanning Newspaper, Media Television, and Radio. As an experienced marketing consultant she has vastly enjoyed working with businesses large and small in our community. In her off time, family and friends are her passion. Contact Darlene today.
Shawn is a lifelong resident of Southern WVA who enjoys seeing new places and meeting new people. He loves the big city but has a small-town heart. Shawn has a Bachelors in Business Marketing and Management. After scouring the area to enrich his career post-graduation, he finally found a home here at Southern Communications
Stu is the Original Buzz Air Talent. Having been with us since the begining.
An amazing artist in his own right, he currently tours with Matt Mullens and the Bringdowns.
Stu is a music legend in our area. His passion for the craft is apparent as you spend the afternoon with him here.
