Andy and Alison to Exit WIVK Mornings After 20 Years

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 7, 2017 | 12:49pm CT

Alison Mencer and Andy Ritchie

After a 20-year run as the morning team on WIVK-FM Knoxville, Andy Ritchie and Alison Mencer ("Andy & Alison") have made the decision to step away from radio and will be signing off from the Cumulus Country outlet. First taking the air in Knoxville in 1997, "Andy & Alison" has woken up audiences in East Tennessee with information, humor and a mixture of Country music. The show has garnered a combined ten CMA and ACM morning show awards.

Cumulus Media Knoxville VP/Market Manager Ken Salyer said, "Andy and Alison have earned a well-deserved place in the illustrious history of WIVK. They have been the "morning crew" for East Tennessee for the last 20 years. It's been an honor to have been associated with them. We'll miss them."

WIVK PD Nikki Thomas added, "I have so much love and respect for Andy and Alison. It has been a tremendous honor to work with two of the most professional and revered broadcasters in country radio. I am sad to see them go... but I'm happy for their decision to spend more time with their families. Who could ever find fault with someone for doing something what makes them happy?"

Andy said, "A huge thank you to our East Tennessee listening family for allowing us to be a small part of your lives for the past 20 years. I hope we were at least able to put a smile on your face. You are the best. Making the decision to leave our friends at WIVK was not an easy one. I can't imagine a better place to spend the past two decades on the air. It's time for a change. I'm incredibly excited about new adventures with more time to work from my home studio, spend time with family and sleep late."

Alison added, "It has been an honor and a privilege to work for the #1 country station in America for the past 20 years. WIVK has been the voice of information and entertainment for the East Tennessee area for over 60 years and I am extremely proud to have been a part of it. I will miss my co-workers, who I also consider friends, and this great radio station. I look forward to no longer setting my alarm at 4am and being able to go to a movie at 9pm without falling asleep."

Andy and Alison have agreed to remain on the WIVK morning show while a nationwide search for only the fourth morning show in the station's history is conducted.