Ben Ferguson
Encyclopedia
Benjamin "Ben" Ferguson (born August 28, 1981) is an American
radio host
, conservative political commentator, and author. His nationally-syndicated radio show
, The Ben Ferguson Show, formerly aired throughout the United States on Radio America and is now syndicated by ICON Radio Network, of which Ben is the founder and owner. He is a frequent guest on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, and CNN Headline News, commenting on politics.
by his mother through the tenth grade. A local talk-radio host throughout his teens, Ferguson graduated from Westminster Academy. He went on to the University of Mississippi
, intending to play tennis and became a member of Kappa Alpha Order
Fraternity. He graduated from Ole Miss in 2004.
He lives in Memphis, Tennessee
. He is one of the youngest nationally-syndicated radio personalities in the United States. Paul Westcott, host of the White House Brief, is currently the youngest at the age of 26. Previously he hosted a weeknight talk show on WOAI San Antonio, Texas
. In August 2007, Ferguson joined 600 WREC in Memphis as their morning radio host. He was then moved to the afternoon drive show from 4-7 PM CT. On April 20, 2010, Ferguson resigned from WREC. In a statement he said, "I have left the station, effective today. I’m looking forward to a new market and a new show, in addition to my national show and my continuing appearances on such networks as CNBC, CNN and MSNBC."
Later, it was stated that Ferguson left WREC after an impasse in contract negotiations. It was then announced that Ben Ferguson will take over the 4-7 PM slot on another local radio station, KWAM. Controversial radio host Thaddeus Matthews was fired to make room for Ferguson.
(S4). In July 2005, as S4's political director, Ferguson was selected by the White House to join President Bush
and Ben Stein
for a town hall meeting in an effort to educate the public on the issue of social security reform. Ferguson also spends several weeks a year on the road speaking at youth leadership conferences, high schools and college campuses nationwide. He has become a regular keynote speaker for several groups, including Congressional Youth Leadership and Lead America.
Ferguson is an avid critic of former Memphis Mayor W. W. Herenton
. When Herenton resigned and then decided to run again for mayor not two weeks later, Ferguson entered the political scene and pulled a petition to run for Memphis City Mayor. He withdrew from the election when Herenton also withdrew.
Ferguson hosted a local radio show in Memphis during evening drive time slot (from 4-7 PM) weekdays on WREC (600 AM)
in Memphis until April 20, 2010. On May 3, 2010, KWAM 990
announced that he would be their new evening drive time host. On April 25, 2011, Ben moved to WKIM 98.9 FM
, coinciding with a format change in the station to an all-talk network.
Ferguson also appears frequently on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, and CNN Headline News.
. His speech was quoted in various news outlets, including the Chicago Tribune
, Toronto Star
and Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio host
Radio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
, conservative political commentator, and author. His nationally-syndicated radio show
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
, The Ben Ferguson Show, formerly aired throughout the United States on Radio America and is now syndicated by ICON Radio Network, of which Ben is the founder and owner. He is a frequent guest on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, and CNN Headline News, commenting on politics.
Early life and education
Ben Ferguson was born to Bruce and Karen Ferguson on August 28, 1981. He has an older sister, Holly. Ferguson was homeschooledHomeschooling
Homeschooling or homeschool is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in other formal settings of public or private school...
by his mother through the tenth grade. A local talk-radio host throughout his teens, Ferguson graduated from Westminster Academy. He went on to the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, intending to play tennis and became a member of Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
Fraternity. He graduated from Ole Miss in 2004.
He lives in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. He is one of the youngest nationally-syndicated radio personalities in the United States. Paul Westcott, host of the White House Brief, is currently the youngest at the age of 26. Previously he hosted a weeknight talk show on WOAI San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. In August 2007, Ferguson joined 600 WREC in Memphis as their morning radio host. He was then moved to the afternoon drive show from 4-7 PM CT. On April 20, 2010, Ferguson resigned from WREC. In a statement he said, "I have left the station, effective today. I’m looking forward to a new market and a new show, in addition to my national show and my continuing appearances on such networks as CNBC, CNN and MSNBC."
Later, it was stated that Ferguson left WREC after an impasse in contract negotiations. It was then announced that Ben Ferguson will take over the 4-7 PM slot on another local radio station, KWAM. Controversial radio host Thaddeus Matthews was fired to make room for Ferguson.
Political activities
Ferguson is a member of Students for Saving Social SecurityStudents for Saving Social Security
Students for Saving Social Security, known as S4, was a 501 non-profit activist organization based in Washington, D.C., run by students for students who are pushing for Social Security reform. S4 was founded in March 2005 and proposes changing Social Security laws to permit personal savings...
(S4). In July 2005, as S4's political director, Ferguson was selected by the White House to join President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and Ben Stein
Ben Stein
Benjamin Jeremy "Ben" Stein is an American actor, writer, lawyer, and commentator on political and economic issues. He attained early success as a speechwriter for American presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford...
for a town hall meeting in an effort to educate the public on the issue of social security reform. Ferguson also spends several weeks a year on the road speaking at youth leadership conferences, high schools and college campuses nationwide. He has become a regular keynote speaker for several groups, including Congressional Youth Leadership and Lead America.
Ferguson is an avid critic of former Memphis Mayor W. W. Herenton
W. W. Herenton
Willie Wilbert Herenton is an American politician who was formerly mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, and was candidate for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, until his defeat in the Democratic primary against incumbent Steve Cohen. He was the first African American to be elected...
. When Herenton resigned and then decided to run again for mayor not two weeks later, Ferguson entered the political scene and pulled a petition to run for Memphis City Mayor. He withdrew from the election when Herenton also withdrew.
Media exposure
Ferguson's national talk-radio show focuses on current events from a conservative point of view. The Ben Ferguson Show can be heard over ICON Radio Network weekly on Sunday evenings from 7-10 PM ET.Ferguson hosted a local radio show in Memphis during evening drive time slot (from 4-7 PM) weekdays on WREC (600 AM)
WREC
WREC is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Memphis, Tennessee, USA, the station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications. The station is also broadcast on HD radio....
in Memphis until April 20, 2010. On May 3, 2010, KWAM 990
KWAM
KWAM is a radio station licensed to Memphis, Tennessee, USA, the station serves the Memphis area. The station is currently owned by Legacy Media - Memphis, LLC....
announced that he would be their new evening drive time host. On April 25, 2011, Ben moved to WKIM 98.9 FM
WKIM
WKIM is a news/talk formatted radio station licensed to Munford, Tennessee and serving the Memphis area. It is owned by Cumulus Media.-History:...
, coinciding with a format change in the station to an all-talk network.
Ferguson also appears frequently on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, and CNN Headline News.
Republican National Convention Appearance
Ferguson addressed the 2004 Republican National ConventionRepublican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
. His speech was quoted in various news outlets, including the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
and Pittsburgh Post Gazette.