After more than two years on the air, longtime radio personality “Southside Steve” Rickman and his co-host/producer Geoff Cole have departed Georgia Radio Alliance’s Classic Hits station, Fox-FM.
Rickman joined Fox-FM in May 2023, following a nearly 15-year tenure at Cumulus Media’s Rock 100.5 WNNX in Atlanta. At WNNX, he held various morning show roles. These included stints on The Regular Guys, Bailey & Southside, and Axel & Southside. He moved to afternoons in February 2022.
His radio career includes stops at 96 Rock from 1995 to 2006 and a brief period at 106.7 WYAY in 2006–07. Before co-hosting with Rickman, Fox worked as a morning show producer at WKLS and 94.9 The Bull. He also served as a weekend and fill-in host at 97.1 The River.
During his tenure at Fox-FM, Rickman brought a signature blend of humor, energy, and personality. He connected with listeners in Middle Georgia and Metro Atlanta.
Georgia Radio Alliance Vice President of Programming Kevin Steele praised Rickman’s contributions, saying, “During his tenure, Southside Steve brought his signature personality, humor, and high-energy broadcasts to listeners throughout Middle Georgia and Metro Atlanta. Fox-FM appreciates the commitment and effort he dedicated to the morning show during this time.”
Station President Chris Murray added that the departure is part of a strategic shift in programming. “As we move into 2026, FOX-FM is making strategic changes to strengthen our on-air presentation with a more music-focused morning show to better serve our growing audience. We are grateful for the work Steve and Geoff have done. We wish them both the very best in their future endeavors.”
Rickman addressed his exit in a Facebook post, noting that he was “rug pulled” from the station.
“I was told I was too expensive and the station couldn’t afford my show. Ownership wants to have a music morning DJ/show with very little talk. I won’t entertain that type of terrestrial radio,” he wrote. He also teased that he and Fox will update listeners on their next steps on social media.
Fox-FM plans to announce new morning programming in the coming weeks as it seeks to align its lineup with a music-forward approach.
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