CINCINNATI -- Duke Hamilton is radio royalty in Cincinnati. He's been on the air at B-105 for 40 years this week.
"His ratings are still at or right near the top, month after month," B-105 program director Grover Collins said. "I mean, he's the Duke."
In his 40 years on the air at B-105, Hamilton has seen lots of change.
"When I started, we were playing vinyl and tape cards," Hamilton said. "And now ... everything is digital."
But being relatable to his listeners remains the same.
"Just come in and bring your A-game every day," Hamilton said. "Because it's not about you, it's about the listeners on the other side of this microphone."
Spending 40 years on the air is not a small feat. Hamilton said one of his favorite memories is a recognition of that, when he was elected to the Country Radio Disc Jockeys Hall of Fame back in 2003.
"That was a big, big moment for me," he said.
Hamilton has also met a host of country stars like Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. But he has remained down to earth, making it seem easy.
"That is years and years and years and years of honing his craft," Collins said. "And you known, some things are not teachable."
Hamilton has a total of 47 years in radio. He came to Cincinnati in 1977, met his wife, married her and built a home here.
"I've never had any reason to want to leave here," Hamilton said.
He said he has no plans to hang up his headphones.
"You know, I love what I do," Hamilton said. "And I can't imagine not doing it, at least, right now."
