R.I.P.: South Ohio Personality Zeke Mullins

Zeke Mullins

Arguably the best known radio personality in the history of Scioto County radio has died.

Earcel “Zeke” Mullins, 93, known to his fans throughout the Portsmouth, OH and Tri-State region of southern Ohio, eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia as “Your Old Cornbread Eatin’ Buddy,” died around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home.

He was 93-years-of-age according to The Daily Times.

The country music performer, promoter and radio personality was born on September 14, 1921 in Jenkins, Kentucky. He soon acquired the nickname “Zeke,” and was best known by that moniker by friends and family from then on.

In 1927, when Zeke was six years old, his family moved to Portsmouth, and that is where he spent his early formative years. Zeke’s older brother Clarence taught him how to play the guitar as a young boy and he made his radio debut at the age of 15 performing live on the now-silent WPAY 1400 AM in Portsmouth, in 1936.  WPAY sign-off in 2011.