Jim Burnside, who helped launched the news/talk format in Greenville, South Carolina, has died. He was 80 years old.
Burnside is credited with launching what eventually became 98.9 WORD in the South Carolina Upstate in 1988. The move brought Rush Limbaugh to the region. He also hired future Salem Radio Network host Mike Gallagher before he was launched into national syndication. Burnside served as the station’s Program Director and Station Manager. He also launched the WGTK-FM, WROQ-FM, and WRTH-FM.
Before launching his successful news/talk career in the Palmetto State, Burnside had several stops at Ohio radio stations in Bellefontaine, Lima, Dayton, Columbus, and Toledo. Additionally, he worked as a radio host on the Armed Forces Network during his time in the Army.
Memorials for Burnside are requested to be made in his name to the South Carolina Educational Radio and Television.
