Steve Stephens

Who is Steve Stephens?

Stephen Owen Stephens is a television and communication pioneer in Arkansas, who originally became well known as the host of "Steve's Show," a hugely popular television program in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He has remained a communication specialist as of this posting.

Born in 1930, to Allie and Owen Stephens in Newport, Arkansas, Steve later attended Castle Heights Military Academy, and graduated from Newport High School. Following graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas until the Korean War erupted in 1950, when in his quest for adventure, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Attaining the rank of sergeant, he received three battle stars in Korea. After the Korean Armistice was signed in 1953, he was honorably discharged and returned to Newport.

While in the Marines, he was occasionally asked if he had ever been a broadcaster, as he seemed to have a natural "radio voice." After returning to Newport, he began as a part-time announcer at radio station KNBY, and soon became known as the "Voice of the White River Valley."

His entry into radio coincided with the beginnings of rock and roll, and he soon became a popular proponent of this new type of music.