The Heart and Soul of Cincinnati: The History and Legacy of WCIN Radio
For generations of Cincinnatians, the call letters WCIN represented far more than a radio station. AM 1480 WCIN was the soundtrack of neighborhoods, churches, social clubs, schools, and family gatherings throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Branded as “The Pulse of the City,” “The Soul of Cincinnati,” and “The Station that Cares,” WCIN became one of the most influential African American radio stations in the Midwest. It served as a source of music, news, inspiration, and community advocacy while helping shape the cultural and political life of Black Cincinnati.
Related Article: The History of African Americans in Cincinnati
The Beginnings of WCIN
WCIN first signed on the air in 1953, becoming Cincinnati’s first radio station designed specifically to serve African American audiences. At one point, it was recognized as the oldest Black or soul radio station managed by an African American and may have been one of the first Black-managed soul stations west of the Mississippi River. The station’s original studios were located on Beekman Street in Cumminsville before later relocating to 106 Glenwood Avenue in Avondale, the heart of Black Cincinnati. Its famous “Five Towers of Power” became a symbol of the station’s reach and influence. Although Federal Communications Commission regulations required the station to reduce its power at night, WCIN’s signal remained strong enough to connect communities throughout the region.
Leadership and Vision
One of the most significant figures in the station’s history was Sonny Burns, the first African American general manager of WCIN. His leadership represented an important milestone in broadcasting history. Burns and other station leaders demonstrated that African Americans could successfully manage, program, and operate major radio stations while remaining deeply committed to community service. WCIN’s mission extended beyond entertainment. The station sought to inform, educate, and empower listeners. Its slogan, “News You Can Use,” reflected its commitment to providing practical information that addressed the concerns of everyday people.
The Voices of WCIN
WCIN produced an extraordinary roster of announcers and personalities who became household names throughout Cincinnati. Among the most famous was Jockey Jack the Rapper, Jack Gibson, who later became one of the most influential figures in Black radio and music promotion in the United States. Charles “Bugs” Scruggs, affectionately known as “the man with the plugs,” and Ed Castleberry also became legendary figures. Castleberry would later become one of the founding news announcers of the National Black Network, carrying the lessons he learned at WCIN to a national audience.
Other memorable personalities included Spider Webb, Bob Long, Frank Bailey, Lincoln Ware, Symphony Sid Kennedy, Sweet Jelly Roll, Little Abraham, Virgil Nixon, Marsha Robinson, Gina Ruffin Moore, Everett Cork, Jimmy Wonder, Max Myrick, Fredd E. Redd, Bob Hudson, Chaunston Brown, Judge Tracie Hunter, Warren G., Big Daddy, Dr. Keith Melvin, Patrice McDowell, Ken McDowell, Carlton Gray, Faith Daniels, Deborah Kennedy, Greg Patterson, Bob Crosby, Earnest L. James, Tom Knox, Shep Hilson, Tom Hankerson, Ed Wright, Larry Dailey, Randi, T.C. of Night Train, Steve Harris, Dark Soldier, Savanna, Monty Royal, Billy Jack, Lawson Law, Sibel Thrasher, Wilbert Longmire, and Courtis Fuller.
The Soundtrack of Black Cincinnati
Music was the lifeblood of WCIN. Long before streaming services and social media, listeners depended on local radio personalities to introduce them to new artists and musical trends. WCIN’s disc jockeys played rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, jazz, and later contemporary R&B. The station also helped bring nationally known performers to Cincinnati. Jockey Jack, Ed Castleberry, and Bugs Scruggs created JEB Productions. He promoted performances by artists such as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and Ike and Tina Turner at the Regal Theater and Cincinnati Gardens. These concerts transformed Cincinnati into an important stop on the national Black entertainment circuit.
Gospel and Community Service
Each day on WCIN began with gospel programming led by Reverend Abraham Swanson, affectionately known as “Little Abraham.” His broadcasts became a cherished part of listeners’ daily routines and reflected the close relationship between Black radio and the African American church. Through Bible-way Church and partnerships with WCIN, Reverend Swanson helped organize concerts and community events, including the Goodwill Spectaculars held at Cincinnati Gardens. The station consistently promoted churches, civic organizations, educational programs, and charitable initiatives, making it a trusted community institution.
News You Can Use
News and public affairs programming distinguished WCIN from many other stations. Reporters and news announcers, including Dennis Grant, Gina Ruffin Moore, Edna Howell, Maxine Hardwick, Sid Kennedy Jr., Bill Meredith, Jim Morris, and Tom Brown, brought stories to listeners that often received very little attention elsewhere. Gina Ruffin Moore became especially respected for her tenacity and professionalism. Her reporting helped establish WCIN’s reputation for reliability and credibility. Through its news coverage, the station informed listeners about local politics, education, employment opportunities, and civil rights issues while serving as a platform for community dialogue.
A Cultural Institution
WCIN’s influence extended beyond broadcasting. It became a cultural institution and an archive of community memory. The station announced church services, school activities, neighborhood events, and public meetings. Weddings, funerals, graduations, and social events all found a place on its airwaves.
For many listeners, WCIN was a member of the family. Children grew up listening to its personalities and later introduced the station to their own children and grandchildren. Recording artist and producer Big Robb recalled living only a few houses from WCIN and being inspired by its personalities, who seemed larger than life and yet deeply connected to their audience.
Contests, Promotions, and Listener Loyalty
One of the station’s most memorable features was its famous contest line, 513-749-1480. The number became so popular that local telephone exchanges occasionally jammed during contests. According to local lore, Cincinnati Bell created the “749” exchange because of WCIN’s popularity, and many stations later adopted the exchange for their own promotions. The contests demonstrated the station’s remarkable ability to engage listeners. Whether giving away concert tickets or announcing community events, WCIN created an interactive relationship with its audience long before the age of social media.
Civil Rights and Black Empowerment
Like many Black radio stations during the civil rights era, WCIN became an important institution for civic engagement and racial uplift. The station provided a forum for discussions about voting rights, education, employment, and social justice. Community leaders used the station to communicate with residents, and listeners relied upon it for information and encouragement during times of social change.
Black radio stations played a critical role in strengthening community identity and promoting civic participation, and WCIN was no exception. Through its programming, it helped foster pride, resilience, and a sense of collective purpose among Cincinnati’s African American residents.
Legacy and Remembrance
The media landscape changed dramatically during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Corporate consolidation, technological changes, and evolving listening habits transformed radio broadcasting. Yet even as formats and ownership changed, WCIN’s legacy endured. Today, WCIN remains one of Cincinnati’s most beloved broadcasting institutions. Former listeners still remember its personalities, music, and commitment to the community. The station helped launch careers, created opportunities for African American broadcasters, and gave voice to communities often overlooked by mainstream media. Remember WCIN Radio? To many Cincinnatians, the answer is simple: yes, and it will never be forgotten. The station remains an enduring symbol of Black entrepreneurship, community service, and cultural expression. Its history is inseparable from the history of modern Black Cincinnati itself. The heart and soul of AM 1480 WCIN continues to resonate in the memories of those who listened, worked there, and were inspired by its remarkable example.
Selected Bibliography
Barlow, William. Voice Over: The Making of Black Radio. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1999.
“The History of WCIN,” Souvenir Booklet for the Fortieth Anniversary of WCIN Radio (Cincinnati, OH: WCIN Radio, 1993.
“Remember WCIN Radio? A Cincinnati Icon Gone but Not Forgotten,” Blogspot, accessed July 1, 2026, https://rememberwcinradio.blogspot.com/.
Washburn, Patrick S. The African American Newspaper: Voice of Freedom. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 2006.
About the author, Dr. Eric R. Jackson
Eric R. Jackson holds a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Jackson is a professor of history and Black studies in the Department of History and Geography at Northern Kentucky University. Eric R. Jackson also teaches American and African American history/studies courses, race relations, and peace studies.
Dr. Jackson has over 50 publications, including articles in such journals as Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, Journal of African American History, and Journal of World Peace.
jacksoner@nku.edu
859-572-5816
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