Nashville radio legend Clarence “Gilly Baby” Kilcrease has died after a long illness at the age of 84.
Kilcrease spent more than 45 years on the air. He served as Vice President and General Manager of 92Q and WVOL and was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2018. Even then, he was still broadcasting daily. Kilcrease was a graduate of Pearl Cohn High School, Tennessee School of Broadcasting and American School of Management, and broke barriers in the broadcasting industry for African Americans
Kilcrease is described as being instrumental in establishing and furthering the careers of a number of local broadcasting personalities – and even gave Oprah Winfrey one of her first broadcasting jobs.
The legendary broadcaster also gave back to the community in a big way. For over twenty years, Kilcrease helped raise money to sponsor a gospel program to help residents in need, providing over 100 food baskets each holiday season.
Clarence Kilcrease
Clarence is one of Nashville’s most outstanding personalities in radio history. Clarence Kilcrease is a graduate of Pearl High School, Tennessee School of Broadcasting and American School of Management. Also known as “Gilly Baby” and “Momma’s Big Bouncing Baby Boy,” Clarence has served as Vice President and General Manager of 92Q and WVOL, and on the Advisory Board of Meharry Medical College. He has been instrumental in establishing and furthering the careers of many notable local personalities including: Candy Man, T. Weakley, John Heidelberg (current owner of WVOL Radio Station), Damon King, Connie Denell, David Lane, Soul Finger, J. Albert Brown, Gwen Dingle, Ron Youngblood, Ernie Alien, and Oprah Winfrey (and look where she is now), just to name a few.
Clarence has been the recipient of many awards for his commitment to the Middle Tennessee Area for such endeavors as:
*Spearheading numerous fund raising drives to assist families whose homes were destroyed by fire, Assisting in raising funds for families who did not have insurance or funds to bury loved ones, and Raising funds to feed and house the needy.
*For over twenty years prior to the Christmas holidays Clarence and dedicated volunteers have been raising funds and sponsoring a gospel program to help the needy. Each year over 100 food baskets and toys are given to those in need.
Clarence truly believes in helping others. In recognition of his years of support and work throughout the community, this year the “Clarence Edward Kilcrease Communications Scholarship” was established to recognize him as he continues his commitment to helping others.
