Scott Ross (television personality)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other persons named Scott Ross, see Scott Ross (disambiguation).

Scott Ross is a former American radio disk jockey, now better known as an interviewer for The 700 Club on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Born in Scotland, Ross and his parents emigrated when he was nine years old. Ross' career began in the 1960s as a DJ and assistant program director for WINS radio in Long Island. There, Ross gained connections to some of the era's best known rock groups, including the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. He also was the master of ceremonies for one of The Beatles' concerts at Shea Stadium. During this time, Ross met the singing group The Ronettes and dated two of its members. One of them, Nedra Talley, eventually became his wife.

Ross later became a born-again Christian, and focused his professional efforts on the nascent contemporary Christian music genre. In the early 1970s, Ross started a new syndicated radio show, The Scott Ross Show, which at its peak was carried by more than 200 stations.

Ross finally ended up at CBN, which at the time also included The Family Channel among its outlets. Ross began as a personality on CBN's local radio station. His sometimes controversial comments often aroused the ire of the largely conservative Christian audience. Ross was a featured interviewer of The 700 Club, often talking with guests from the entertainment world, some of which he had worked with before his religious conversion.

For three years, he hosted his own talk show, Scott Ross Straight Talk, which was of a format similar to The Phil Donahue Show but from an evangelical Christian perspective. Ross was twice nominated for CableACE awards for this show.

Ross' guests were frequently from outside of Christian circles, which occasionally caused conflicts with CBN staff members. Nonetheless, CBN founder Pat Robertson stood behind him.

Ross' various interview subjects include "Son of Sam" killer David Berkowitz, Johnny Cash, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Steven Spielberg, Noel Paul Stookey of Peter Paul and Mary, Willie Nelson, and Reba McIntire.

Ross remains with CBN to this day. His interviews are still featured on The 700 Club. Over the years, Ross has occasionally filled in for Robertson on the show, though less so in recent years.

Ross and Talley celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2007.