Radio Host Oscar Treadwell Dies

Cincinnati, Ohio, radio announcer Oscar Treadwell died April 1 after suddenly falling ill. He was 79.

Treadwell was born Art Pederson in Reading, Penn. He changed his name to Treadwell after landing a job as a radio announcer in Reading, where he advocated jazz music on the radio station. Artists came to know and respect the announcer and Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk even recorded songs in tribute to him in the early 1950s.

Even though Treadwell was making a name for himself, the pay from working at a radio station was not enough so he took to selling mechanical supplies. He found his way to Cincinnati in 1960 and called it home for the next 46 years.

After arriving in Cincinnati, Treadwell worked on late-night jazz shows while working a sales job during the day. Treadwell bounced from station to station until he found WGUC, a classical music station. There he a late-night jazz show for nearly 22 years.

In 2001, Treadwell retired from radio vowing only to do voice over and commercial work when necessary. However, last August, Treadwell came out of retirement to do a weekly jazz show called Jazz with O.T. that was broadcast on Sunday nights.

Treadwell’s show aired one last time April 2.

Treadwell is survived by his sons Art and Alan Pedersen, and daughters Patchen Hill and Gretchen Vice.

Originally Published April 7, 2006