A little-known fact is that Ruth Lyons' radio career began with a one-shot appearance as an accompanist for a singer on WMH in 1925, and a regular post as pianist on WSAI beginning in 1925. She went to work full-time at WKRC in 1928; she worked as a radio show pianist/organist. Ruth's first broadcast was accidental. She was pressed into service one morning when the station's only female show host called in sick. She needed only a couple of minutes to become familiar behind the microphone, and took over as host.

Lyons prestige grew when she and other staffers broadcast non-stop during the Great Flood of 1937, calming listeners and asking for donations for the victims. Lyons praised the big-heartedness of Ohio Valley residents, but listeners said that their generosity flowed because they considered her a real friend and friends helped friends in need. In 1942, WKRC lost Lyons to WLW over a ten dollar raise. Owner Hulbert "Hub" Taft (Taft Broadcasting) later said that the ten-dollar raise had cost his company millions in advertising.

The 50/50 Club started on WLW Radio as "The 50 Club." Fifty women were invited to a daily, one-hour lunch which was broadcast live. Renamed "The 50/50 Club" when the audience was expanded to 100 people in 1955.

The program made its television debut in May, 1949. It was later simulcast on radio (WLW AM) and went to 90 minutes. It was picked up by NBC for 11 months in 1951, Ruth bristled under the structured advertising, network time cues and loss of show control. The NBC idea died and the 50/50 Club returned to its local status, although it was seen on the other stations of the midwest Crosley Broadcasting network in Dayton, Columbus, and Indianapolis.

Guests included Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey and pianist Peter Nero, singer Arthur Lee Simpkins. During the 1950’s, when nightclub venues were numerous throughout the nation, two of the most prominent in the country were Beverly Hills and the Lookout House, in the Northern Kentucky area of “Greater Cincinnati.” Virtually every headliner, including Jack E. Leonard, Nelson Eddy, Ted Lewis, Pearl Bailey, Myron Cohen, and many others, appeared on Ruth Lyons’ program. One of Ruth's favorites, the popular singer, Don Cornell, regularly appeared in the area, and even served as substitute host for the show during her occasional absences. David Letterman and Phil Donahue, both appeared on her show. Letterman appeared when Lyons' sidekick, Bob Braun, hosted the show in the 70s. In an audio biography of Ruth Lyons, called "Let Me Entertain You--A Ruth Lyons Memoir CD;" Letterman tells how his mother, who never turned on a TV during the daytime was transfixed by it when the 50/50 Club was on.

She frequently mentioned her husband, Herman, on the show, in a warm, family, light (and often humorous) context. Herman Newman was an affable, popular professor of English at University of Cincinnati, and maintained identity separate from the program and his wife's celebrity. Adopted daughter Candy Newman became an integral part of the 50/50 Club. While the family reported that Candy died of leukemia while on a cruise ship during a family vacation in 1966, Ruth confided to those close to her that Candy actually jumped to her death from the ship's deck. Ruth suffered a series of small strokes which took her off the air for some time. Those close to Miss Lyons say Candy's death took the life out of her as well. Ruth Lyons retired from broadcasting in 1967. She died on November 7, 1988.

The Ruth Lyons Christmas Fund provides Cincinnati-area hospitalized children with toys, Christmas decorations and even needed hospital equipment. Since its beginning, the fund has raised tens of millions of dollars.