Scott Patric Keeps Community Radio Strong at WCXO 96.7 FM

By Zachary Daum
[email protected]

For more than twenty five years, morning radio in Clinton County has carried the familiar voice of Scott Patric. He first came to WCXO 96.7 FM in 1999, when the station launched. At the time he expected it would be temporary. “I planned a two year, three year plan tops,” he said. “I came here to cut my teeth in radio.” He ended up meeting a local woman, settling down and becoming one of the longest running on air personalities in the region.

Patric sought to become a reporter. “I was the editor in chief of the newspaper in high school, and I was heavily involved with the newspaper all four years,” he said. Lindenwood University’s journalism program seemed like the right path until he took a required radio class. “Once I took that radio class, that was the end of it,” he said. He discovered he liked the immediacy, the communication and the personality-driven nature of the work. He never looked back.

WCXO, known as Max 96.7, focuses on Clinton County, which Patric describes as the heart of its audience. “We pride ourselves in local news and sports,” he said. “When you tune in, you can tell this is your community radio station.” Obituary reports are a standard part of the morning, along with recaps of school athletics. Patric considers highlighting young athletes important. “If a kid scores 25 points, I want that kid’s name on the radio,” he said.

Although the station is small, its reach extends well beyond the county line. Depending on conditions, WCXO can be heard in several surrounding towns, including Mascoutah, Lebanon and Fairview Heights. Many listeners now rely on the online stream, which Patric says has become essential in a world where so many things are online. The stream is available at https://bt8550.wixsite.com/max967.

Patric’s morning show mixes news, sports and music with the kind of conversational storytelling that has defined his voice over the years. He believes people respond to radio personalities who feel human. “People want real,” he said. “They want to hear that your kids are brats. They want to be able to be like, this guy’s not much different than me.” Being open about everyday frustrations and joys has helped him form long running connections with listeners.

He builds each show around a shared sense of routine. “Our journey together, it’s Tuesday, we’re going to get through Tuesday,” he said. He knows many people listen while heading to work or starting their morning, and he tries to make that time feel lighter. “Have some fun. Make the morning go by a little bit faster and not take life too seriously,” he said. “Life’s serious enough.”

After more than two decades on the air, Patric still says he feels fortunate to be doing what he loves. “I have the opportunity and the privilege to be able to communicate and tell my stories and relate,” he said. His goal has remained the same since he first took over the morning shift: to give the community a place where they can hear familiar voices, recognize local names and feel connected to the world around them.

WCXO continues to operate as a true community station, and Patric continues to guide its mornings with humor, sincerity and a clear appreciation for the listeners who have stayed with him year after year.