Influential South Carolina radio talent and manager Jim Burnside has passed away at 80 from cancer. He is best known for introducing modern talk radio to upstate in 1988, with the syndication of Rush Limbaugh and the hiring of future syndicator Mike Gallagher during his tenure at WFBC-AM, now WYRD/WORD-AM.
Before his commercial radio career, Burnside served in the US Army, hosting music programs in Germany for the Armed Forces Network – Europe and in Vietnam for AFVN-Saigon.
In addition to his other accomplishments, Jim Burnside played a key role in the initiation of WROQ-FM, WGTK-FM, and WRTH-FM, where he was recognized as an award-winning commercial writer and producer. Before settling in Greenville in 1970, Burnside’s career as an announcer spanned several stations in his home state of Ohio, including locations in Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo.
In lieu of flowers, Burnside requested memorials be made in his name to South Carolina Educational Radio and Television.
