R.I.P.: Upstate SC Radio Host Russ Cassell

Russ Cassell

Russ Cassell, a familiar voice in the Upstate Scouth Carolina radio community, died Saturday.

He was 60, according to greenvilleonline.com.

Cassell was host of "The Russ Cassell Show," a popular weekday morning talk show on WYRD 106.3 FM / WORD-FM, where he worked for the past 20 years.

He was a "larger than life" radio personality in the Upstate, said Steve Sinicropi, vice president and general manager of Entercom Greenville, which operates WORD.

"He was passionate about what he believed and was dedicated to keeping people informed," Sinicropi said in a statement. "He was a brilliant and very talented radio host and a personal friend. His loss will be greatly felt by all of us in the WORD family, those who worked with him and those who listened to him."

A native of Greenville and graduate of Wade Hampton High School, Cassell got his start in 1974 at the Clemson University radio station, WSBF. According to Cassell's bio on the WORD website, his stint at the college radio station sparked a passion for broadcasting.

In 1980, Cassell went to work for WFBC as an afternoon radio host and color commentary analyst for the Clemson Tiger football broadcasts.

Over the years, he worked for several local stations, but for the past two decades he had been at WORD, where his show was heard Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

WYRD 1063. FM (25Kw) 60dBu Coverage

The station will remember and pay tribute to Russ Cassell with special programming from 8 a.m. to 12 noon during the week of October 13th.