Bernard Hicks was affectionately called “the New Yorker” by Brother Matthew Brown. Both men kicked off the legendary Sunday broadcasting on FM 91.9 KCSB back in the day. Brown with his gospel music at 6 a.m. and Bernard at 9 a.m. with Ital Soundz (African and reggae music). As Brother Brown would sign off each Sunday, he would let the listeners know with his raspy southern drawl, “And coming up next, it’s the New Yorker, Bernard Hicks, with the Ital Soundz.”
Bernard was singlehandedly responsible for introducing Santa Barbara to a variety of indigenous and popular music from the continent of Africa, while simultaneously laying down the hardest Jamaican dubplates and roots reggae music any community radio station in the U.S. could offer. He introduced the well-scrubbed UCSB student body, its staff, and the entire Central and South Coast, from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, to the Black sounds of freedom.
Bernard’s deep, soulful voice would resonate smoothly over the airwaves. He had a professional tone suited so well for radio. It was heavy with clarity and it sparked the imagination as he would announce an uninterrupted block of music that would feature the likes of Fela Kuti and IK Dario and the Ink Spots.