Sibel Thrasher...international Diva

WCIN was there for a lot of artists who went on to do big things...it's good to know that they still speak highly of the station and the memories that they have. After a bit of retooling and expanding on the total influence of WCIN....this blog is set to feature not only the people who were directlly involved with the station, but get updates on those who were influenced by and influenced the impact of the the icon. One who performed locally and then nationally and is still knocking them dead is Sibel Thrasher. Here is her bio...

Sibel Thrasher

Sibel Thrasher was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, and now resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As both a singer and actress, she enjoys an accomplished career in music, theatre, film, and television. In August 2004, Sibel was inducted into the B.C. "Entertainment Hall of Fame" and in "Starwalk" on the sidewalks of Vancouvers "Theatre Row" for her lifelong contribution to the arts, and her never ending contribution to the community, and  music.

Her extensive studio credits include work with legendary recording artists Roy Ayres, Long John Baldry, Donna Summer, and Linton Garner, and her live performance credits include tours as a featured singer with the Platters in the USA, Japan, and the Phillipines, and an opening slot for the world renowned R&B/Gospel singer Etta James. 

Sibel has traveled extensively, and is in high demand as a jazz and R&B lounge singer—she has worked for Carnival Cruise Lines (Splendor of the Seas), and Princess Cruise Lines (Coral and Island Princess) on extensive tours, which included ports of call ranging from Alaska, Mexico, The Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Aruba, Freeport, Florida, Panama, Hawaii, Columbia, St. Croix,  many others. She has also performed in many 5 Star hotels in Asia, including engagements at the The Jinmao Grand Hyatt in Shanghai People’s Republic of China, The Peninsula Hotel in the Phillipines, and Hotel Lotte in Seoul, South Korea.

Sibel’s film and television credits include Zapped, Vice Squad, Death Wish II, Rumble in the Bronx, Tales from The Crypt, and Fierce People, and Shoot To Kill and her theatre credits include productions of Ain’t Misbehavin’, Black and Gold review I and II, Blues in the Night, The Angels Sing, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,  It’s Time to Sing, The Club, The Little Shop of Horrors, The Buddy Holly show, Tapestry

Sibel has had the honour and pleasure of singing at Vancouver Jazz Festival, Pacific National Exhibition, Saskatchewan DuMaurier Jazz Festival, The Pender Island Jazz Festival, Merritt Mountain Festival, Starry Night Annual Aids Benefit Concerts, and many others.

Other professional credits and honours include; The Vancouver Sun’s Entertainer of the Year, Election to the 1994 Congress of Black Women, Jessie Nominations for Best Performer two times for her stage performances of Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Blues in the Night, and a nomination for the CCWMA Best Gospel Singer of the Year.

Ms. Thrasher can also be located on "My Space" "UTUBE" and "GOOGLE" for Video's and music and credits. 

The influence of WCIN is far reaching...just ask Super Star Bigg Robb



Bigg Robb



What wcin means to my
By Robert”BiggRobb”Smith.
www.heybiggrobb.com

 

 

 

As a young child I grew up 10 houses from wcin am 1480
Which also sat next to cedar hill farms the local dairy which provided amongst many products those small 8 oz cartons of milk that were served everyday in the Cincinnati public school system
I rode my bike everyday up and down glenwood ave after school and in the big parking lot that was shared between both wcin and the dairy
And on occasion after mr sonny burns would leave  and the front office was closed  we would play football in the grass of  106 glenwood ave -aka wcin.

 

My love for music has been a god given gift  that has been chiseled by many musical endeavors but one of the greatest is wcin I listened  learned and now as I write this have just come to understand how much a part of my life it was and still is the jocks were like superstars to me
I can remember spider webb,bob long,frank bailey,Lincoln ware ,symphony sid kennedy sweet jelly roll,lil Abraham,virgil Nixon,marsha robinson,gina ruffin, and my personal fave THE CORK! They played the hottest jams and were celebrities In their own right sometimes opening the mic to say the first person who rings the bell on the back door wins a pair of tickets to “the easter ball” or everybody callin in to say “I got it “and Lincoln ware always  hollerin “BYE” when he had enuff of you callin all your friends names

 

 Man this is such a part of my  musical heritage this is the place I first learned what records sound like and how to Speak to a crowd  you see  all the jocks were characters and entertainers in their own right they had personality and charisma for days and those lessons I have used endlessly as a M.C The music from back then is what I have downloaded on my ipod right now when I hear  the enchantment its u that I need I think of cork doin 7-midnite Or when I hear Tell I t by our own Charles Fold I think of getting up early for school while my granny is enjoying little Abrahams gospel show and all the people callin in for prayer which by the way doesn’t even exist on black radio anymore wonder what would happen if Tom joyner  did a prayer line huh?

 

At the age of 12 I became a d.j. at Waif-Fm a small community station  and was taught the art of radio by Tom knox a wcin alumni he had a program called the radio workshop which allowed us his students to be on the air sometimes @ wcin it is from these beginning I met all the movers n shakers in the music biz from Cincinnati and eventually went to work for Roger Troutman and Zapp a group which began as Roger and the Human Body and whose first local L.P.. had liner notes written by wcin”s bob long I stayed with the group for 25 years and am now a record producer,recording artist and record company owner throughout

 

 My 30 plus years in the music biz ive seen and experienced  many things but some of the most joyful times go back to being a lil boy sittin on my bike and talkin to the cork thru the back window of wcin while he was on the air  because unlike a lot of the other jocks he was always willin to answer my many questions about records  the billboard charts and the recording artists He is the one who explained to me why a record like The Commodores brick house which wcin had been playing for 6 months was now being called “new” on the pop station Q-102.

 

So I guess to sum it up wcin is as much a part of my dna as life itself because before I was a artist or producer I was just a plain on music lover and it was wcin am 1480 that kept my needs supplied
So I will close this like wcins’s great sportsman Bill Meredith
By sayin

 

BIGG ROBB -30.

Mike Roberts..orchestrated the simulcast of WCIN and WBLZ

     Orchestrating this combination  of medias was a young, future radio mogul out of Buffalo, New York, by the name of Mike Roberts.  Mike realized his destiny early in life when he built his own radio station in his home and was able to broadcast it to a couple block radius surrounding his "station".  He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Syracuse and honed his skiled with various gigs and internships that prepared him for the beginning of his meteroic rise in the business.

Our memories are jogged to think back to when WCIN was affilitated with an FM station...WBLZ. We sat around the radio in hopes of finally hearing our favorite station on the FM dial after so many years of anticipation. We heard new voices introing and outtroing our favorite artists and songs. There was the Snowman..Jim Snowden, John Monds, Deborah Kennedy, Jill Frost, Ken Kilgore, Edna Howell and events that allowed all of us to interact with the new sound of WCIN/WBLZ.

Mike Roberts

     He skillfully programmed both WBLZ and WCIN..giving them both credibility and respect in the greater Cincinnati area. Basketball games and baseball games come to mind first as well as various community appearances. (Side note:...I owe a great amount of gratitude to Mike because he trusted in my ability enough to appoint me as his assistant program director, with charge over the WCIN side of the merger...this gave me the necessary experience I would need later on in my career in programming WCIN as a standalone station.)

    Mike Roberts left Cincinnati for the larger market of Atlanta, where his career really took off with a stint at WIGO...and then Atlanta experienced..."Mike Roberts in the Mohnin"...where he worked with Carolyn Ford who can now be heard on Sirius XM radio and nationally known...Robin Roberts of Good Morning America.
     Mike currently is the only african-american owner of a radio station in central Georgia..WQMJ broadcasting to the Macon, Ga., area. He is on facebook and you can like his page at...Majic 100 FM.

I visit Mike at his station every time I go to Atlanta and see that he still possesses the same passion he displayed when we first met. The following is a bio he sent me at my request..

           MIKE ROBERTS

                                                               President, RCI

In 1996, Mike Roberts achieved his life long goal of radio ownership when he formed

Roberts Communications Incorporated (RCI). In July of 1997, the company purchased

WALJ-FM (now WFXM), WBNM-AM (now WXJO), WFXM-FM (now WQMJ), and

WXKO-AM in Macon, Georgia. RCI is currently Central Georgia’s only African-

American owned broadcasting company. While the company sold most of it’s stations

between 2006 and 2008, RCI still operates WQMJ-FM (Majic 100).

Mike’s career in radio is extensive. He served as program director of V-103 for three

years and retired from his morning show in 1998. He was also program director of

WIGO from 1982 until 1985. Prior to working in the Atlanta market, Mike served as

program director of WBLZ and WCIN in Cincinnati, OH and WSOQ in Syracuse, NY.

He had a chance to sharpen his broadcasting skills when he first worked as an

announcer at WHEN, WNDR and WEZG in Syracuse. Mike also spent two summers

on the floor crew of WKBW-TV in Buffalo, NY. The ABC television affiliate was his

first professional broadcasting position in 1975.

Mike has received numerous awards and honors. He has also been nominated three

times as major market personality of the year by the National Association of

Broadcasters in 1994, 1995 and 1998.

Mike Roberts is an active friend of many civic organizations. He is a life member of the

NAACP, works with several Macon charities, and is a member of the Monroe County

Chamber of Commerce. Terry Mill Elementary School in Dekalb County, Georgia,

named Mike as it’s first honorary teacher. He has one adopted son (Joseph).

Mike received his Bachelor of Science in Communications from Syracuse University in

1979.

Those of you who remember those days...give Mike a like on his FaceBook page or even give him a shout out..he'll be glad to hear from you!!

Deborah Kennedy...a mellow voice that captured a city. I caught up with her and you can still hear her!

I remember the first time I heard Deb Kennedy on the air....it was electrifying. From her first words..the listener is put at ease by her complete command of the art of speaking. She made me feel like I was listening to an old friend who knew just how to introduce and outro the music I loved listening to. I had met her prior to hearing her on air persona and it was one of the smoothest transitions I had experienced up to that point because we all know about the "crazy personalities" radio..who were a bit different when not behind the microphone.  Not so with Deborah Kennedy, it was as though someone slipped a microphone in front of her while she was just doing her thing. I caught up with her on Facebook and, as I am doing with all the former folks of WCIN, encouraged her to give me her story leading up to WCIN...during and life after moving on...this is her response!

 



Deborah Kennedy



My radio career began in my home town Springfield,Il. After graduation from the University of Ill, I landed a job on WTAX. After a couple of years I moved to Cedar Falls-Waterloo, Iowa..KUNI where I hosted an "urban"

radio show for the University of Norther Iowa. I was on vacation visiting  a life long friend in Cincinnati and was listening to WCIN. I decided to go by the radio station to see if I could speak with the program director. Bob Long was very gracious and said send him a tape when I got back to Iowa. About a month later I was in "Cincy" on the air midnight to 4am!! It was also very exciting to be part of the team put together by Mike Roberts..Cincinnatti's first urban FM  WBLZ..7-midnight was my shift. After leaving "Cincy" I landed in Memphis,Tn..WHRK K97 FM..another 7-midnight shift. Loved Memphis..great music town. Next it was on to St.Louis,Mo  Majic 108 FM..first day time shift..10a-3pm. After St.Louis I returned to my home town, Springfield..WNNS FM hosted 7-midnight. Although it was a small market..my next moved was the biggest acomplishment in my career..Champagin-Urbana, Il...I was hired as general manager and program director..WBCP AM..the station was "dark". I put together the entire operation ..it was like giving birth!!

I returned to my home town, Springfield, back to WNNS and remained on the air until my "retirement" in 2007. I  spent a glorious 32 years in radio broadcasting..it was a hell of a ride!!! Presently I host a Saturday night radio show "Smooth Jazz Take Out" a mix of smooth jazz and cool vocals. Streaming live audio WQNA.org..9pm until midnight..central time..Saturday nights. Tune in sometime!!  Love ya!  

 

Remember that she is on 9pm until Midnight..CENTRAL TIME...Saturday nites. Check her out and you will hear the sound that captivated this city for what seemed too short a time...

 

Love ya, Deb!

The reality star known by one name...Omarosa once worked as an intern at WCIN..

Omarosa

Before she left WCIN to join the Bill Clinton campaign, Omaroseonee Manigault-Stallworth, whom the world now knows simply as Omarosa, worked as an intern at iconic WCIN. I remember her enthusiastic spirit and she was always smiling and vibrant. If I'm not mistaken, she was also named Homecoming Queen or Miss Central State or whatever the proper name of that title was.  I also remember how close she was to her mother, who I think she later paid for a breast augmentation following her stint on Donald Trumps' "Celebrity Apprentice". I can still hear her updates on the Clinton campaign that she phoned back to Lincoln Ware while she was away.  She, of course, went on to become the villain on Trumps show and another reality show that she found her niche in. She has always been a go-getter and I'm not surprised to see the level of success she has attained.  Now she has made the news by saving the life of her beau, Michael Clarke Duncan of "The Green Mile" fame. As an alumnus of WCIN...we wish her the best of everything and a speedy recovery to her fellow. We are still watching you "Onee" and I wonder if you are still an expert in sign language.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omarosa_Manigault-Stallworth

Angela Bofill....the Angel of the Night and Randi..the voice of the night

WCIN brought Angela Bofill to Eden Park one year and here she posed with evening announcer Randi.

T.C. Conductor of The Nite Train...that little piece of leather that's well put together.

For those of us who loved to party hearty on the weekends...friday and saturday nites, starting at midnite, were special times because it would be time to "get aboard...the Nite Train" with T.C. It would be difficult to call it a night after coming in from partying somewhere and having the radio tuned to AM1480WCIN where T.C. was not only playing the "best music of your life", but giving you the history and side stories about the music from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Just when you think you might drift off to sleep he would hit you with "your jam" from back in the day.



King of Dusties in Cincinnati
T.C.



     I've got to say that T.C. holds a special place in my heart because at the time WCIN was undergoing an ownership change and the format was not one that the community was accustomed to...I had the good fortune of being able to call on some old friends to come back behind the mike and breath life back into that iconic radio station. I'll never forget T.C.'s reaction when I asked him to revive his oldies show..he almost had tears in his eyes because of the joy he felt to be able to keep the music alive. He is a true historian of our music and I'm proud to be able to put his story in this blog. Not only is he an historian of the music, but he also has salvaged a lot of the on air sound that I'll be featuring from the various personalities of yesterday.

T.C., (Tyrone Cannon), is a Cincinnatian born on May 22, 1965..(Wow, a year after I graduated from high school!) in Corryville. He attended Hughes High School and graduated in 1983. While at Hughes, T.C. enrolled in the Radio and Television Vocational Program.  While in this program he was appointed Music Director and Disc Jockey for the school radio station WHBA 1200AM. After high school he continued to pursue his career in radio, and in 1984 volunteered to co-host and program an Oldies Show on AM1480WCIN. The program was called "Sunday Soul Serenade" with DJ Pat Gregory..who gave him the radio name T.C. Soul Serenade was cancelled in 1985 and in November of 1987 T.C. was hired on as an overnight Board Operator.  January 2, 1991 T.C. was given his own show, called The Nite Train, the best music of your life, which aired Friday and Saturday nights from midnite til 6am. The show featured classic and rare dusties, blues, doo-wop and jazz with a history lesson behind the music and artist. In April 1997, T.C. produced the first Nite Train Dusty Convention at the Apple Nightclub in the local community of Woodlawn. In attendance at this first convention were over four hundred people who came to hear the music they grew up with in addition to doing all the old dances of that day. The inspiration for T.C.'s convention was the legendary Chicago DJ Richard Pegue who was to become a mentor and major influence in T.C.'s radio career. Subsequently, The Nite Train Dusty Convention was housed at the Hartwell Country Club in Cincinnati for the following nine years, and moved to a new location at the UAW Hall 647 in the community of Reading, Ohio. There was a format change at WCIN and The Nite Train ran for the last time on May 13, 2007 making it the longest running "Dusty" show in the greater Cincinnati area.








T.C.'s love for the dusties started as a young boy when his mother Betty would play music around the house.  He started collecting records at the age of eight, and has a very large collection of classic and hard to find 45's and LP's in his record library. Some of his favorite artists are: The Impressions, The Spaniels, The Dells, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.  T.C. refers to himself as the "King of Dusties in Cincinnati", due to his vast knowledge of the music.  In his spare time T.C. travels, watches old 1970.s blaxploitation movies, stepping Chicago style, reading and hanging out with family and friends.

T.C. has recently stepped up to fill a void in the Chicago area by continuing a tradition that the market has been accustomed to for many years.  T.C's convention is put on twice a year in the Chicago area and is always well anticipated and well attended.  This blog will make sure that the word will get out announcing the next time the Nite Train Dusty Convention will convene.

     



Jimmy Wonder "The Ball of Thunder"...His Story

WCIN brought us many local heroes and celebrities...the local listener knew that when they were tuned in 1480AM they would be thoroughly entertained by both the music and the smooth, clear, phonetically correct, mellow, and captivating sounds of the announcer on the air. Most of the on-air personalities, and they definitely were personalities, had their "own thing". They would come onto their shift with a certain style that let you know it was their time to command the airwaves. As time went on...these personalities were known by their "on air personna". Most of us who are over forty remember a young man who was simply known as "The Boy Wonder". He captivated WCIN listeners for a number of years and has gone on to make quite a name for himself in the entertainment industry..specifically the radio industry. I caught up to James Alexander and asked him to give viewers of this blog an insight into what got him into radio, some of the highlights of his time on WCIN and what he's doing now and what is in the future for him.


Jimmy Wonder...The Ball of Thunder






In his words...This is the Jimmy Wonder Story!

From the desk of James Alexander

My first inclination of being a radio personality begins at a young age (approx. 10 y/o); I am from and grew up in Cincinnati during the “CIN” era of Buggs Scruggs, Jockey Jack, Eddie Castleberry, Tom Knox- TKO, Ed Wright and Little Abraham – Rev Swanson.

I would envision myself on the radio w/ a style of the likes of Buggs Scruggs (flair, personality, magnetism, popularity, good diction and a proper use of the English language)

Let’s fast forward to my upcoming junior year in high school, 1967 (Walnut Hills) during summer practice; playing defensive line while leaping to block the quarterback’s pass – my defensive line mate & I locked our feet and I came down on the side of my knee…my football career ended that afternoon

By this time I had really intensified as my plan was to go to The Ohio State University play football, go to the pros, obtain my law degree and become an attorney, judge, and / or politician   

Fast forward to the next year – leg was healing and the remembrance of broadcasting hit my mind; it was followed by a call to Tom Knox – “TKO” who became my mentor

Flashing back… I had the opportunity to visit my first radio station and meet Bill Moss (WVKO – Columbus) and later Tom Hankerson (WCIN); meeting Bill Moss, like Tom Hankerson were pivotal points – these gentlemen were not only popular (on-air) but were the Program Directors; they wore shirt &ties, had an office, people coming to them for clearance, when they spoke, people listened and followed their directives; this again was pivotal for a young man to see these Black men in action in 1967. You never know whose watching you and the impact that it will have on their lives

Back to Tom Knox – it was him that took an interest in preparing me for my goal – I was the pre-eminent for his “Radio Workshop” where numerous individuals followed after me

It all culminated on an August evening in 1968 (at the age of 17) when the then Program Director, Bob Hudson went out of town to an industry convention – Knox put me on the air not late night / weekends but from 6p-8p.

In retrospect Hudson had to of known; although TKO was a “free spirit” that would have been a bit much!

It obviously worked out as we Fast forward (one month) to the beginning of my senior year…The Jimmy Wonder era began!

My first shift was what we call in the industry – afternoon drive; from 3p-6p (again un-heard of) a beginner and being just 17 years old)

The journey continues to be “illustrious” – I was at WCIN for 41/2 years, then WDAO “Da-you” in Dayton, New Orleans, and Chicago, Detroit (twice, Houston and Dallas

I continued to achieved notoriety – while in Detroit (WJLB) the station achieved the #1 rating (overall) and forced the primary competitor (WDRQ) out of the format (the analogy would be like The Lakers forcing the Celtics – out of the league / out of the game)

Similar success in the other cities; have worked with and have been instrumental in the careers of many individuals and have had many mentors throughout the years

I am embarking on the next phase of my career w/ a group of industry persons for a Syndication company that will be a full service provider of programming content and other related areas

***P.S –

If “Jimmy Wonder” could return home to Cincinnati – what do you think???

Well, Jimmy, I think that it's an idea whose time has come....in this age of syndication....our community could use a seasoned professional!

~I'm curious to find out how the viewers of this blog will react to that possiblity. I'm posing that question to the community at large...

I WOULD LOVE TO ONCE AGAIN HEAR.....

Jimmy Wonder, The Ball of Thunder…the Men’s threat & the Ladies pet…a lover’s supreme & every girl’s dream.

The one who did it, hit it, split it but never quit it, but got away “wit” it

The Soul of the New Breed…The Teenage Wonder - The 8^th Wonder

WCIN Promotion by Steve Harris back in 1988

I can remember this just like it was yesterday. I watched Steve Harris put this thing together from all the pieces. I've always been fascinated by radio production and watching this process really intrigued me made me work on my production skills a whole lot more. I invite you now to go back to that spot at 107 Glenwood Ave. where we continuing the tradition of entertaining and informing the community from a very unique perspective.  Perhaps you were one who made the journey there to pick up tickets to a concert, records, cassettes or like so many others...just stopped by because you were in the area.  Maybe your mother or father drove you there and you listened to the station in the car while your "driver" sang at the top of his or her lungs 'cause their favorite song was playing.  Now, today you have that song forever burned into your spirit and you just smile because of that great memory. Memories...that's what WCIN made..lasting memories that will go with all of us who were fortunate to experience it from both the inside and the outside. As you listen to the sounds of 1988..think of all the good things that revolved around a radio station that you could and still can call your very own...I won't/can't forget and will do all that I can to make sure that you won't either....WCIN 1480AM FOREVER!

WCIN on Mothers Days



An old WCIN 1480
Transistor Radio



Just flashing back on how the radio station would treat such a special day....It goes without saying that every shift would be playing, at least twice, "I'll always love my momma", by the Intruders. Rev. Swanson would start the morning off reminding everyone that this coming Sunday...cause it would be a friday...and the spiritual obligations of us all to honor our mothers. I know that when I did the morning show...with different partners...we would always reflect on our youth and the positive influences that our mothers had on us. I'll tell you..the funniest thing I remember regarding morning show Mothers Day antics came from my partner Fredd E. Redd. This one year he told me and the audience that he was not going to get his mother a card, but was going to Walgreens, which was a couple doors up on Reading Rd., and pick out a card for his mom...but set it in a certain place in the rack and have her go to Walgreens and find the card and then tell her that's the card he would love for her to have...it was hilarious..and callers had some very interesting comments for Fredd.

....Yes, Mothers Day celebrations on Classic Oldies 1480WCIN were great! The listeners would also get a chance to get involved by calling in and saying something special about their mothers. That kind of positive interaction with the community is one of the things that I miss the most about us not having WCIN as a platform for this special segment of Cincinnati.

...Today, I tried to text a Happy Mothers Day wish to an old friend only to find out that it belonged to someone else. The person asked me who I was and I wondered "had it been that long since we talked that she didn't remember me"...I didn't want to believe it. She asked me if I was someone else and I told her that I was Everett Cork (Did I have to give my whole name..it really must have been a long time since we chatted).  Then the revelation that maybe I had reached the new owner of that number. I apologized for the disturbance...but she said it was fine because she listened to WCIN while she was growing up and she enjoyed that time and that the "accidental call" was fine and she was a 47 year old grandmother who remembered that Peabo Bryson and I resembled each other. She said the mistake..."made her day"..which actually made mine cause she said she couldn't wait to tell her sisters. I wished her a Happy Mothers Day..I directed her to this blog and hopefully she'll remain "tuned in" as I bring the old sounds and updates on the old jocks whereabouts and what they are up to today...

Tracie Marie Hunter....former WCIN newsperson. Now Juvenile Court Judge



Judge Tracie Marie Hunter



Tracie M. Hunter has been committed to public service her entire life and professional career. An attorney for over 19 years, Hunter founded a private legal practice that has included criminal and civil representation of children and adults. Hunter formerly served as an Attorney Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children with Pro Kids; represented indigent adult and children as a contracted Attorney for the Public Defenders Office; and continues to provide private legal counsel on probate, personal injury, real estate and civil rights cases. Hunter also served as a facilitator in several halfway houses for juvenile offenders. Hunter filed a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was racially profiled in a televised episode of Dateline, resulting in a settlement.

Hunter ran for Judge of Hamilton County Juvenile Court in November 2010 to provide a safer future for all children and families. After 23 votes separated Hunter from her opponent, she sued the Board of Elections for voter suppression after discovering the Board had disenfranchised nearly 1000 voters from mostly African-American and Democratic precincts. Although Hunter won her case in a historic 93-page landmark ruling, the Board of Elections and her opponent continue to appeal the Judges order. It is believed that Hunter will be declared the 2010 winner when those votes are counted. When elected, she will be the first African-American Judge of Juvenile Court in Hamilton County’s history. Hunter’s case is featured on the Ohio State University Law School’s website as one of the most important election cases since Bush v. Gore.

Hunter is the Pastor of the Western Hills Brethren In Christ Church. In 2009 she was appointed the first African-American Senior pastor in the history of the Brethren In Christ denomination nationwide and the first female Pastor of Cincinnati’s local BIC congregation. Hunter’s mission as a Pastor is to help individuals reach their full potential intellectually, physically and spiritually. She has conducted workshops, led trainings and ministered for churches of all races and denominations across the country.

A journalist and broadcaster for over 25 years, Hunter is recognized for leading the oldest and longest running urban Gospel radio station, WCVG, in Cincinnati. As founder of TMH Media Group and CEO of Kingdom Life Ministries, Inc., she continues to operate MyUrbanGospel.com, an Internet radio station broadcasting spiritually inspirational programming, news and information. Hunter hosted “Tracie Live,” radio talk show for over 15 years and has hosted “In Focus” television program for 12 years. She authored a column, “Tracie Speaks” and wrote for several newspapers and magazines.

To rebuild community and curb urban violence, Hunter has led over 200 prayer walks in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s toughest neighborhoods; and has taught over 100 churches how to organize prayer walking missions. Guidepost Magazine documented that in April 2002, a prayer walk Hunter’s team coordinated with over 1000 people was instrumental in squelching a violent uprising during civil unrest in Cincinnati.  Since 2006, Hunter’s staff has been weekly preparing and serving meals to hundreds of Cincinnati’s homeless community.

Pastor Hunter is a sought after inspirational speaker, motivating people of all ages to reach their full potential and purpose in life.  She has received numerous awards and recognition for her leadership, advocacy and service to the community, especially for her commitment and compassion to pursue justice for all.

On April 27, 2012 ballots that were ordered to be counted finally showed Judge Tracie Marie Hunter to be the winner of this hotly contested juvenile judge case. There was a total of 71 votes more than her opponent.  Due to the closeness of the count, there will be an automatic recount. Judge Tracie has fought this fight for a long time and we all know that "The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures"....Judge Hunter we honor your endurance.

A recount confirmed on May 17th, 2012 that Tracie Marie Hunter is OFFICIALLY Juvenile Court Judge for Hamilton County....we congratulate her officially...

Tribute to Big Daddy....one of the many memorable voices....and laughs that sat behind the mike

Over the years there have been many different personalities that have either worked behind the mike or were guests of those who worked behind the mike. I heard a little bit of everything during my tenure, but few impressed me as much as the one called "Big Daddy". True to his name...Big Daddy had presence..but along with that presence was an intellect that shone so brightly that if you had the pleasure of listening to his wisdom...you knew, right away, that he had something special that he was always willing to share with anyone who would listen. Dr. C. Keith Melvin had a show on Sunday afternoons, Community Health, that focused on health in a very unique way.  A major part of that uniqueness was the method that he used to get the message of addressing our health issues. Big Daddy brought an element to the show that captured the essence of what radio was meant to be...and that is to be both entertaining and informative.  Listeners would call in with questions for Dr. Melvin and he would enlighten the caller in a most professional way and Big Daddy would "make it plain" for the layman to identify with.
Big Daddy went from labor to rest in the mid 2000's...but ironically, just days before going home to glory, he co-hosted with Dr. C. Keith Melvin. His last day on the air was captured and my morning partner, Fredd E. Redd, used his skill as a production genius to put together a Tribute to Big Daddy.
Those of us who remember Big Daddy will always remember that laugh that made us laugh..
He is definitely missed.....but not forgotten!!!

You know you have made it when you're recognized by one name

FAITH

She charmed the masses with her personality and sassiness. She has gone on to bigger and better things and still brings a smile to the faces of all who mention the name....FAITH. WCIN was one place she stopped off on her way to her stardom. I found a tape of the one who called herself "Big Sexy". Listen in and get caught up! And at the end, you can hear the "Man of Power", Lincoln Ware and a bit of his coverage of a controversy that the city was talking about at the time.

A September morning on a friday back in 1998

On a warm September summer morning back in 1998...Donna Franklin had to take a well deserved day off. So only half of the Koffee Katz was available to attempt to inform and entertain.  Luckily, newsman Jim Morris and the sports guy, Bill Meredith...(30), were able to try to plod along. Come with me back to that morning where I sadly tried to carry on without my "Boo". You've got to hear the lineup for the weekend...Monty Royal, Lawson Law, Billy Jack, Marsha Robinson, 1480 Talk with Lincoln Ware, Night Train with T.C. Go back with me and let's do some reminiscing.

Marsha Robinson in the morning!

While doing the morning show...she was heard by a powerful person from California that was passing through and she was taken to the Left Coast to enhance the listeners out there...we were blessed to have her return to us and we will be brought up to date as to how life is treating one of WCIN's finest today in the near future...Marsha Robinson..Oh...so smooth!!

WCIN The Pulse of the City

We couldn't wait until Friday and Saturday nites at Midnite..cause it was time for

"THE NIGHT TRAIN" with T.C.

That little piece of leather that's well put together

"He ain't Heavy....He's my brother"....Gilbert Young captures Black History

Gilbert Young (1941- )

            Gilbert Young is a nationally renowned artist, muralist, and art conservator.  Born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio, he served twenty-seven years as director and conservator of the multi-million dollar University of Cincinnati Fine Art Collection. Some of his monumental mural projects can still be viewed in the greater Cincinnati area.



Gilbert Young



In 1994 Young was named Artist-in-Residence to the University of Cincinnati. He re-located to Atlanta, Georgia in 1995 and became Artistic Director for the International Paint Pals Art Competition in conjunction with the 1996 Olympics. He was commissioned by Procter & Gamble to design the Salute to Greatness Award presented by the Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, and was featured in Ebony Man magazine as a “Talented & Impressive Black Artist.”  Young is the first artist to perform live on stage accompanied by an entire symphony orchestra while creating a commemorative work. The painting of maestro Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati POPS orchestra was recently installed in the new School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati. Gilbert was recognized in “Who’s Who in Black Atlanta,” the 2010 edition, and in  July, 2011 he was honored by recording artist Big Boi and the Big Kidz Foundation as one of five “Champions of the Arts” along with Academy Award winner Monique, and actress/director Jasmine Guy. This year, 2012, Gilbert was inducted into the 66^th edition of “Who’s Who in America.”

Young is a frequent lecturer, and has been invited to speak at colleges and universities around the country including Harvard Law School, Spelman College, and Morehouse College.  In 2001 he was presented with the prestigious Heritage Award for Outstanding Visual Arts at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. In 2004, he received the Pallet Award for Lifetime Achievement in the arts during the Heritage Arts Festival in Atlanta. And in 2010 he was honored with a Resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, naming him State of Georgia Artist in Residence.

Young is the only artist in the world to paint a portrait of an American President that is signed by the subject. The piece, entitled “History + Hope = Change,” may be viewed at www.gilbertyoungart.com. A portrait of Mrs. Obama is in progress.

His work can be found in galleries throughout the United States, in select cities around the world, and in many private and corporate collections including St. Petersburg Russia’s City Hall and the Paul R. Jones collection of African American Art at the University of Delaware—one of the oldest, largest, and most complete holdings of African American art in the world.

Gilbert Young resides in Atlanta with his wife Lea Winfrey Young and Gilbert Montana, the youngest of the artist’s five sons.

Gilbert Young

1941-

n Exhibitions at five venues, hosted by City Arts Factory and The Grand Bohemian Hotel, Orlando, FL 2011

n Inducted into “Who’s Who in America,” 2012, 66^th Edition

n Honored by Resolution from Georgia House of Representatives, naming Gilbert Young State of Georgia Artist in Residence./Atlanta, GA 2010

n Featured in “Who’s Who in Black Atlanta”/Atlanta, GA 2010

n The only artist in the world to create a painted portrait of a U.S. President, and have it signed by the subject. “History + Hope = Change is signed by Barack Obama (see attached)

n Featured artist, The Atlanta Dogwood Festival Rhythm & Blooms Fundraiser/Atlanta, 2007

n Pallet Award for Lifetime Achievement, Heritage Arts Festival, Atlanta GA 2004

n First African American to create a painting live on stage with an American Symphony Orchestra. The Cincinnati POPS featuring Grammy Award winning conductor, Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati, OH 2004

n Presented with the prestigious Heritage Award for Outstanding Visual Arts, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York, February 2001

n Gilbert Young Enterprises, publisher and distributor of fine ethnic art, Cincinnati/Atlanta, 1991-2008

n Artistic Director and Supervising Judge for “Paint Pals,” an International Olympic Youth Art Competition and Exhibition, organized in honor of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.  The project supported efforts by The Atlanta Project, founded and directed by President Jimmy Carter/ Atlanta, GA 1996

n Artist in Residence, the University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati OH, 1994

n Conservator and Director of the University of Cincinnati fine Art Collection/ Cincinnati, OH,  1967-1994

n “Talented & Impressive Black Artists,” Ebony Man Magazine, 1995

n “Who’s Who in Black Arts”, 1992

n “Portraits of Excellence, A photographic History: Cincinnati’s Prominent Blacks of the Eighties”/Cincinnati OH 1988

n Chairman of Mixed Media, a professional artist association/ Cincinnati, OH 1980

n National Youth Director, National Conference of Artists, Cincinnati Chapter/ Cincinnati OH 1980

n Director of Martinique Cultural Exchange Exhibition, an exchange of art and artists with the Island of Martinique/Cincinnati, OH 1980

n Consultant to the Harriet Beecher Stow House Renovation Project, to create a cultural arts center for the visual and performing arts/Cincinnati, OH 1978

n Director of Metro Mural Project I, II, III, (1975, 1976, and 1977) providing creative summer employment for youth while producing monument works of urban art/Cincinnati, OH

COMMISSIONS

n Commission to create the “Hattie Dorsey Award” in honor of Hattie Dorsey, president of the Atlanta Neighborhood  Development Partnership, Atlanta, GA 2006

n Commissioned portrait of Attorney General Thurbert Baker, Atlanta GA 2002

n Commissioned by American Greeting, Inc. to create “The Art of Gilbert Young” calendar, distributed in five countries, Atlanta GA 2002 and 2003

n Commissioned by Procter & Gamble to create the “Salute to Greatness Award” for the Martin Luther King Jr., Center for Non-violent Social Change, Cincinnati/Atlanta 1995

n Commission to create a portrait of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Cincinnati OH 1995

n Commission to create a commemorative poster for the American Federation of Teachers, Cincinnati OH 1994

n Commission from Cincinnati Metro for ARTSCINCINNATI94, original artwork on metro transportation, Cincinnati OH 1994

n Commission to create a portrait of Theodore M. Berry, Cincinnati’s first African American Mayor, Cincinnati OH 1990

n Commission to create a sculpture of Oscar Gamby, Jr., Cincinnati OH 1981

n Commissioned portrait of Dr. Robert H. Chess, Cincinnati OH 1981

n Commission from Dayn-Mark Advertising to produce the image “The Drum,” for BellSouth campaign, Atlanta, GA 1999

n Advertising Age “Image of the Week” Award for “The Drum.” Atlanta, GA 1999

n Applause Magazine Image Maker Award, Cincinnati OH 1994

n Post-Corbett Award for Outstanding Visual Arts, Scripps Howard/Cincinnati Post, Cincinnati OH 1993

n Commissioned Kentucky Colonel by then Governor of Kentucky, Lexington KY 1999

n Commissioned Kentucky Colonel by Governor of Kentucky, Lexington KY 1995

n Nip Magazine 25^th Anniversary Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, Cincinnati OH 1980

Numerous honors, certificates, recognitions, and awards as well as Proclamations and keys to the cities of Cambridge, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Columbus, Louisville, Greensboro NC, and Detroit for outstanding achievement in the arts.

COLLECTIONS

n Comfort Inn & Suites/Savannah, GA; University of Delaware Paul R. Jones Collection; The Erich Kunzel School for the Creative & Performing Arts; Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company; Cincinnati Bell’ Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Xavier University (Ohio); Santa Barbara Recreation Department; Procter & Gamble; LoGo Entertainment Group; JC Penny; Howard University; University of Cincinnati; University of Cincinnati African American Heritage Center; National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center at Wilberforce; Morris Brown College; The Academy of Art, St. Petersburg Russia; BellSouth Corporate Offices/Atlanta; Cincinnati Metro.

Numerous private collectors

Numerous feature articles and exhibitions.