Community reacts to death of Cincinnati radio icon Jim Scott
VIDEO: Four minutes with retired WLW “nice guy” Jim Scott
Retired broadcaster Jim Scott talks about his career, his charity work and learning to enjoy retirement.
Cincinnati’s Morning Voice Jim Scott touched many lives during his lifetime.
For 46 years, he was a familiar voice on Cincinnati’s airwaves as morning host for WLW, WSAI-AM and others. Visitors lined the halls to thank him after he wrapped up his final show at 700 WLW-AM in 2015.
The legendary presenter died on Friday at the age of 81 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Related: In memory of Cincinnati’s Morning Voice, Jim Scott
After his death, those who knew him shared what made him such a special host – and the legacy he leaves behind.
A great host: the epitome of a morning person
According to 700 WLW host Bill Cunningham, who worked with Scott at 700 WLW for decades, Jim Scott was the “quintessential” morning guy.
In the 1980s, executives at 700 purchased WLW 94.1 FM, where Scott worked at the time, just so he could join their station.
“I don’t know how many millions they paid,” Cunningham said. “Just for one guy.”
But it was worth it, he adds.
“Cincinnati had a welcoming, friendly and warm voice,” Cunningham said. “He could address issues in a way that didn’t upset anyone and brought everyone into the tent.”
Those who knew him spoke of his ability to seemingly build an intimate, individual connection with listeners. “He had a way of connecting with people that I’ve never experienced before,” said Mo Egger, a radio host for ESPN 1530.
“If there’s a heaven up there, and I firmly believe there is,” Cunningham said, “then they’ve got a damn good morning person doing this job.”
“Simply a great man”
Egger worked with Scott at WLW from the late 1990s to the early 2010s.
Scott was “just a good person,” Egger said. “People kept asking me, ‘Is he really that nice?’ And I said, ‘Yes, he really is,'” Egger said, laughing.
In his twenties, Egger was the producer of Scott’s morning show. He described Scott as a mentor, friend, advocate and sounding board. Scott took a genuine interest in Egger’s career, worked to help Egger improve and advocated for him.
“That doesn’t happen,” said Egger. “I’m sure that doesn’t happen in most companies, but that doesn’t happen in our company.”
His legacy: How Scott will be remembered
Scott acted like a “politician” in Cincinnati, “shaking hands and kissing babies,” said 700 WLW anchor Scott Sloan. But he added that it was completely sincere.
“He really liked people,” Sloan added.
Those who knew him described how Scott would go virtually anywhere and introduce himself to people and ask them to listen to his show. He did the same for others, like Egger, and encouraged people to listen to him.
He was also actively involved in the community, his colleagues said. He was the emcee for events and fundraisers, Cunningham said.
“I think we’ll remember Jim for caring about the human situation,” Sloan said.
Cunningham said Scott’s experiences with polio at a young age inspired him to donate his time to charity and the community at large.
“His experience with polio made him believe that it’s always better to lift someone up than to knock them down,” Cunningham said. “And that was Jim Scott.”
“He lived so well, touched so many and helped every charity in the city.” Cunningham said
“I think the lesson for all of us, especially in these difficult times that we’re going through right now, is that we all need to be a little more like Jim,” Sloan said. “I think his legacy is that he makes you want to be a better person.”
“His life began with polio and ended with Lou Gehrig’s disease,” Cunningham said. “And what a life he lived in the middle.”
Community reacts on social media
Many took to social media over the weekend to share their thoughts on Scott’s legacy and his impact on the Cincinnati region.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval posted a memorial message to Scott on X (formerly Twitter), saying Scott “brought daily joy, comfort and pride to generations of Cincinnati residents.”
“He was not just the voice on the radio. He was the friendly neighbor in our communities who always had a positive influence,” Pureval said.
Ohio Republican Chairman Alex Triantafilou said on X that every child growing up in Greater Cincinnati will not soon forget his voice and called him a “treasure of Cincinnati.”
Cincy Shirts remembered when Scott appeared on the retail store’s podcast in 2019.
“Let’s open a bag of Grippos in his honor,” read the retail store’s X-post, referring to Scott’s love of the local chip brand.
The Cincinnati Reds dedicated a post to Scott on Saturday, saying he was an inspiration that will never be forgotten.
“His love for the people of this city was unparalleled and his generous support of communities throughout Reds Country will not be forgotten,” the post said.
Colleagues from local media also expressed their condolences to the radio legend. WLWT anchor Sheree Paolello shared her memories of Scott when he came on air to talk about his ALS diagnosis.
WCPO consumer reporter John Matarese said he listened to Scott for 20 years on 700 WLW and that Scott was “the nicest person you could imagine.”
The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky commemorated Scott’s service to the organization as volunteer chair of the Kettle Campaign for more than 10 years. An active volunteer with The Salvation Army, “he was our greatest champion, inspiring our community to volunteer with us and do the best they can,” a Facebook post said.
“We will miss him and always remember him with our love and appreciation, especially as the bells ring in Cincinnati in the months and years to come.”
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