| Ben Ferguson | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 28, 1981 |
| Alma mater | University of Mississippi |
| Occupation | talk radio host |
| Known for | conservative political commentator |
Benjamin "The Merjle Man" 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.[1] He is a frequent guest on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, and CNN Headline News, commenting on politics.
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Ben Ferguson was born to Bruce and Karen Ferguson on August 28, 1981. He has an older sister, Holly. Ferguson was homeschooled 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,[2] intending to play tennis and became a member of Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity.[3] 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.[4] 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.
Ferguson is a member of Students for Saving Social Security (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.[5] He withdrew from the election when Herenton also withdrew.
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) in Memphis until April 20, 2010.[6] On May 3, 2010, KWAM 990 announced that he would be their new evening drive time host.[7] On April 25, 2011, Ben moved to WKIM 98.9 FM, coinciding with a format change in the station to an all-talk network.[8]
Ferguson also appears frequently on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, and CNN Headline News.
Ferguson addressed the 2004 Republican National Convention. His speech was quoted in various news outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star and Pittsburgh Post Gazette.