Salem Selects Director for Urban Gospel Station

Salem Media Group has tapped longtime radio personality Darrel Eason to oversee its new contemporary urban gospel music station in St. Louis. The Camarillo-based broadcaster announced Monday that Eason would serve as program director and morning-drive host on Praise 95.1 (WSDZ-FM). The station is the first in St. Louis to play contemporary gospel music on FM radio, according to Salem, and will feature artists such as Tamela Mann, Mary Mary and Marvin Sapp. Eason’s high profile in St. Louis R&B and gospel radio made him the “right guy for the job,” Salem Vice President and General Manager Greg Lhamon said in a statement. Eason previously served as a nighttime host and program director for the city’s Majic 104.9 (KMJM-FM) and Hallelujah 1600 (KATZ-AM) stations. “(Eason) has passion for this city and a strong desire to build a powerful urban gospel station for the African-American community,” Lhamon said in his statement. Shares of Salem (SALM) closed Tuesday down 15 cents, or 2.4 percent, to $6.15 on the Nasdaq.