I was watching briefly the Steve Deace show yesterday. Deace is a nationally recognized Christian/ conservative “influencer” who spoke this year at the Pastor’s Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is based in the state of Iowa.
During the show, Deace gave credit for his career to a fellow named Stu Epperson. Because that name rang a bell as someone with roots in Triad Christian broadcasting, I did some searching. How could a radio guy from Winston-Salem be a critical influence for Steve Deace’s broadcasting career?
It turns out Epperson was raised in Ararat, Virginia, just across the state line above Mount Airy.
Many Christians in the Triad are likely to be familiar with the radio stations now run by Epperson’s son. The moniker is Truth Broadcasting. His primarily Christian talk station is 830 AM or WTRU. There is also WPET which is Southern Gospel.
The elder Epperson, now deceased, built somewhat of an empire. His legacy is the Salem Media Group which is in the process of transferring ownership to another Christian entity. But here is a partial listing of that organization’s various activities:
- The Salem Radio Network with 2400 affiliates
- Websites such as TownHall.com, RedState.com and PJ Media
- 117 radio stations owned
- Regnery Publishing which has published numerous conservative books over the years
- The Salem News Channel, found at the list of links to the right
- SRN News that produces news announcements at the “top of the hour” on radio stations
Lara Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. now own part of Salem Media Group.
I knew the Epperson’s had done a bunch of stuff, but I had no idea it was so extensive. Wow. And their home base was Winston-Salem.
Be the first to reply