Dave Ross - Broadcast Career

Broadcast Career

Born into a Catholic family in Yorktown Heights, New York, Ross is the son of a commercial artist and has a brother and two sisters. He started his broadcast career at the age of 15 at WVIP in Mt. Kisco, New York. After graduating from Cornell University in 1973, where he was a member of the Cornell University Glee Club and the Quill and Dagger society, Ross worked as a reporter at WSB in Atlanta, Georgia from 1973 to 1978.

In addition to hosting his talk show on radio station KIRO (AM) in Seattle, Ross broadcasts a national daily commentary on the CBS Radio Network. From 1983-2004 he hosted and produced the first syndicated daily radio report on computers, for the Associated Press, called Chip Talk. He was also part of the 1995 Launch Team for CNET, where he contributed segments called The Last Word to c|net central. Since 1992, Ross has also filled in for CBS Radio colleague Charles Osgood on his "Osgood File" commentaries. Ross has broadcast from overseas or outside Seattle to cover various historic events. For example, on the eve of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Ross traveled to the Persian Gulf to broadcast his radio show from Qatar. Other field trips included forays to cover the Pope's visit to Britain in 1982, trips to China in 1984 and the Soviet Union in 1987, the toppling of the Berlin Wall and the revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989, the 1992 Rodney King riots Los Angeles, a 2002 trip to Jerusalem after a series of suicide bombings, a trip to Baghdad in April 2004 and many others.

Ross has generally been portrayed as liberal (although he has also been called a moderate), but is also known for bringing those with opposing conservative views on his radio program to interview and debate. According to the Seattle Times: "Ross listens, circles around guests with Socratic questions, then makes sharp observations but never goes for the jugular.... remains gracious." In addition to his editorials, Ross is also known for his "flitch" songs (songs using existing melodies, but with new lyrics, usually based on current events) and often sings one as part of his radio show and CBS segments. The Seattle Times wrote that "the best of could stand alongside those of the legendary Tom Lehrer."

Ross received the 2001 and 2005 RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Commentary. He was unable to accept the 2001 award personally, however, because the ceremony was scheduled for September 12, 2001. He was booked on a flight to Nashville on September 11, 2001 but instead ended up on assignment in New York City covering the terrorist attacks. Ross has also received a Marconi Award nomination and Clarion and Gabriel Awards. He was voted “Best Talk Show Host” by the Seattle Weekly.

On October 26, 2010 it was announced that Luke Burbank would be joining Ross as co-host on his KIRO radio show.