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Thursday, March 28, 2024 - 06:06 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

The Palmetto State has lost a legendary conservative radio voice. Russ Cassell was, in my view, the most influential conservative Christian in the state, with a large and growing loyal audience. He was an unapologetic Southern Gentleman. He refused to be politically correct, knew “what he believed and why he believed it” and urged others to do the same. What made Russ different, in my view, was that he was an uncompromising Christian, working and communicating effectively in an industry and community that has increasingly placed their faith in man and pushed God to the “back of the bus.” He did his homework and was prepared to hold his own on any subject that arose.

Russ was a native of the Upstate and a walking encyclopedia of institutional memory of people and events that transpired since his school days at Wade Hampton High School. He was a great teacher of newcomers who were learning to blend into the local culture. He welcomed and made friends with newcomers to the area, but had little patients with those who would make Greenville a little Boston by advocating the very same policies that caused them to move south.

Russ and I had a lot in common and agreed on most things even without discussing them. We both transitioned from children to adults at Clemson. He was the same age as my first son who was born in Clemson. He was a student and did the Tailgate Show with Jane Robelot while my second son was a student there.

The Times Examiner began publication in 1994, the same year the Russ and Lisa (Rollins) program launched. Russ was a very loyal friend and never forgot that The Times Examiner was the first print media to acknowledge and promote the new conservative “Russ and Lisa” talk show that was rapidly growing in popularity.

I made photographs and interviewed Russ and Lisa in the little cramped studio upstairs on Poinsett Highway. At that time, Russ spoke very openly about his Christianity during that interview.  As the next 20 years unfolded and Russ faced more than his share of health and other challenges, he became even more publicly outspoken about his dependence on God and frequently shared the “Plan of Salvation” with troubled listeners.

Russ Cassell was a very talented and skilled broadcast professional who was willing to risk his hard-earned broadcasting career in order to speak the truth to fellow human beings. Many listeners to Russ Cassell learned more from him about the nature of God and the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ than they did in their church.

Russ died at home on a Saturday morning. He would have planned it that way. He loved his family and was very protective of them all. He can never be replaced in the family; however, he apparently trained a couple of sons-in-law well.

Russ has been very kind to The Times Examiner and to me personally. We rarely engaged in direct conversation, however we admired and frequently commented on each other’s work in the media.  The last time we talked at length was during a remote broadcast from Greenville County Square during the primary election fiasco of 2012. We had a good conversation both on and off the air. I was there to cover the event, not to become part of the event. During a commercial break I was making some photos and Russ offered me a seat at the table where he was seated. When he went back on the air, he handed me a headset and began asking questions. The unplanned guest appearance lasted most of an hour.

The last coverage of Cassell in The Times Examiner was in the September 24 issue. Russ personally arranged an American flag rally in Woodruff. and broadcast from a tent in the Bi-Lo parking lot. Our mutual friend Billy Mitchell snapped what I think is the best photo I have ever seen of Russ. It was classic and had to go above the fold on page one.

Russ Cassell was a patriot, supporter of the Constitution, the military and first responders. He did nothing half-hearted. Whether he committed to raising funds for a needy individual or cause, or opposing a tax increase. He did whatever was necessary to achieve success.

Finally, there is no one with the talent, knowledge and ability to replace Russ at WORD; however, Bob McLain is a true professional who knows what is needed and will find the best available for the time slot.

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