Brock Jackson hosts morning show number 3,000 on June 22. Photo courtesy of EZ Rock
Dale Boyd
Osoyoos Times
A mainstay on the Osoyoos airwaves, Brock Jackson, host of the “Tallest show in Radio” is about to hit a career milestone with 3,000 shows on the air.
Monday, June 22 marks 3,000 morning shows in Osoyoos for the local radio personality.
He started his morning show with EZ Rock in September 2005, and after a brief hiatus, returned just prior to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
The people in the small South Okanagan town are what keep Jackson coming back.
“It’s such a wonderful community and the community really supports me and local radio. It’s a great place to live and anyone I speak to that works in radio they say ‘you’re living the dream, living in Osoyoos and doing a morning show,’” Jackson said.
Living the dream is almost literal for Jackson, who grew up glued to the airwaves.
“I had always grown up as a radio fan, a radio listener, I was calling in to make requests. Sports was a big part of my life, so I grew up listening to Jim Robson and the Canucks, Dan Russell Sports Talk,” Jackson said.
Jackson was 28 when he took on a radio program at BCIT.
“It was always a goal to work in radio. As with everyone, we all take different career paths before you figure out what you want to do,” Jackson said. “I had people in the class who were 18 or 19. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do, but looking back at it radio was the obvious choice.”
When thinking back on nearly 15 years of local radio there are certainly memorable interviews, including the likes of actor Rob Schneider or singer Taylor Dayne, but Jackson said what sticks out after all that time in Osoyoos is the tight-knit, small town community.
Jackson said he enjoys the feedback he hears from listeners after hosting local guests like Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie or Mayor Sue McKortoff.
“When they tell me that they appreciate an interview or having someone on the air, that’s when it makes a difference to me. It’s like, oh, excellent people are listening and enjoying the show,” Jackson said. “Also, when I get callers, like the famous Rosa who calls my show almost every morning.”
One of the most popular segments, and the most rewarding for Jackson, started with having his brother “Toronto Todd” on for “Weather Wednesday” back in 2005 which has continued on to today.
“He actually has a geography degree, so he sort of knows what he’s talking about, but he’s not in broadcasting,” Jackson chuckled. “It’s just fun to have him on and we have some very brotherly banter.”
While a love of radio is what keeps him going, Jackson noted it isn’t all sunshine and roses hosting a morning show.
“When the alarm goes off at 4:15 a.m., it’s not easy,” Jackson laughed. “I don’t jump out like ‘alright 4:15, let’s party,’ but it makes it easier. To get out of bed that early to do something I really enjoy. As opposed to — nothing against ditch-diggers — but if I had to get up at 4:15 to dig a ditch I wouldn’t be enjoying life I don’t think.”
The radio landscape has changed over the years and while Jackson loves hosting his show, he also works as an account executive, which can make for some long days.
“It would be impossible to have a career doing only mornings in a community of 5,000 people, so you have to do some other things to keep the finances in order,” Jackson said.
Having nearly 3,000 broadcasts under his belt, Jackson is not going anywhere anytime soon.
“It makes me think how many more am I going to have to do?” He said with a laugh. “I’m too young to start thinking about retirement so there are many more thousands of shows to come I would think. It really makes me thankful because there are so many people in media, radio, TV, newspapers who aren’t able to have a consistent run doing what they love to do because the landscape is always changing.”
“I’m just really thankful I’ve been able to stay and grow and be a part of this community for so long … knock on wood.”
