Brad Brown

Izimvo has the honour of introducing 94.7′s Brad Brown.

Brad, a familiar voice on Johannesburg’s 94.7 Highveld Stereo, is a great example of determination. After an unsuccessful Hot Jock audition in late 2002, Brad got right back into the massive audition lines and tried again. Second time round Brad made it through the preliminary judging and went on to book his place in the final. Although he did not win, Brad used the opportunity to push for an audition show which he finally got in 2003.

As well as Radio DJ on 94.7, Brad is also an accomplished voice over artist, club DJ and successful entrepreneur with interests in three companies.

Website: http://www.bradbrown.co.za
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/bradbrown947
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brad-Brown/158393978752
Location: Johannesburg

Brad was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: I’m not really big on huge social events but my best mate would introduce me as Brad, 33, entrepreneur, radio jock and proper South African bloke.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I have secret ambitions of being the front man of a rock band! Seriously, I got into radio because at the time I got an opportunity to get into the entertainment industry and I thought it would be a way to get to my goal. Thirteen years later I’m still on radio and don’t have a band.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I love the bush. I really don’t get to go often enough. I also enjoy a round of golf to put things into perspective. With my golf game you realise things can’t get much worse that that!

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: Ideally it would be in the middle of a game reserve. Nothing to big, but comfortable, all open plan with huge full length glass sliding doors so that it can open up the entire house. If I could run my businesses from the Kruger Park I’d move out there tomorrow.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Radio in South Africa

Q: You first stated your radio career at RAU Radio where you hosted various shows and eventually becoming head DJ. What were the most important lessons you learnt while working for the student radio station?

A: The few years I spent on RAU Radio (Now UJFM) were probably the best foundation I could’ve ever hoped for in my radio career. We had a phenomenal group of on and off air talent. Many of them have gone on to successful careers. I learnt two big lessons on campus radio. The first was to find someone you could learn from take their advice to keep getting better. As soon as you think you’re good enough you stop growing. The second was to believe in yourself. I learnt quickly that if you don’t back yourself no one will. Those two lessons haven’t only helped me in my radio career; they’ve been invaluable in my businesses too.

Q: Your 94.7 Highveld Stereo “lucky break” included a failed attempt at their “Hot Jock” Idols like competition. What made you come back again and was there ever a stage where you thought it was not to be?

A: I had sent demo tapes through to Highveld for a couple years with absolutely no luck. I’m the proud owner of a whole bunch of standardised rejection letters. By the time Hot Jocks came around in 2002 I had been on campus, community and retail radio consistently for about 4 years.

I remember standing in that line waiting to audition like it was yesterday. My nerves just got the better of me at the first audition and I blew it. I knew that I was better than that and I decided to get back into the line and try again and ended up winning that regional round and made it through to the final week of the competition.

Although I didn’t win it was a foot in the door at the station and I bugged them until they gave me an audition. I was determined to work for Highveld and the thought never crossed my mind to stop trying.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about working at 94.7 Highveld Stereo?

A: I think it has to be the people. Our line up has some serious superstars on it and I am extremely proud to be part of the same team as the likes of Jeremy Mansfield, Alex Jay and Mark Pilgrim. I am often dumbstruck in that building when I realise that I am on the same line up as those legends.

Q: South Africa has a rich history when it comes to radio and radio personalities. If you were to establish a South African Radio Hall of Fame, who would be your first inductee?

A: Alex Jay. He is without a doubt the most genuine, down to earth bloke I have ever met. If anyone in the radio industry could afford to have a big head it would be Alex but there isn’t even the hint of an ego with that man. He is so humble it’s amazing.

Q: What advice would you give those wanting a career in radio?

A: Get used to rejection and never give up. There are nowhere near enough radio stations in South Africa so the amount of on air time slots are very limited. Keep sending demos and bug programming managers until they give you a shot. But also make sure that you are 100 percent prepared when the opportunity presents itself. You might only get one shot.

Q: What are your thoughts on podcasting and do you think it will ever become a threat local radio?

A: I’m in two minds whether podcasts are going to be a threat to radio in South Africa or not. I do think that digital music platforms are however already a threat to local radio. We live in a world of instant gratification and the internet and technology is making it easier and easier to get what we want when we want it.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: We have but fortunately nothing to serious. It is probably the thing that scares me most about the future of South Africa. I think we have a real problem that needs to get dealt with urgently. I also think there needs to be an adjustment in the way average South Africans think about crime for the situation to get better.

The way I see it is if everyone just took care of what they were doing the authorities would be able to deal with the bigger issues. Having a police officer pull you over for speaking on your cell phone is preventing him from perhaps apprehending a more serious offender. I’m not sure if that make sense. By breaking the law yourself you are contributing to the bigger problem. In my mind shoplifting is the same as robbing a supermarket with a firearm, they are both theft. Granted one is more serious that the other but both are still a crime. What are you teaching your kids by breaking the law, like speaking on your phone while driving? You’re teaching them that it is ok to break the law as long as you don’t get caught and that is not ok in my book.

What really grates my carrot is when people write letters to my local paper bitching about how the metro police hide in the bushes with their speed guns catching people speeding. There is a simple solution to that problem. Don’t speed. If you take care of the little things the big things will take care of themselves. It is up to us as individuals to take care of the little things.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I have thought about it but I do not want to emigrate. After matric I took a gap year (by gap year I mean 3 years) and travelled quite a bit. I lived and worked in the US and the UK and enjoyed living in both but I realised I am South African and this is where I belong.

Q: What are the must-see attractions for visitors to the Soccer World Cup?

A: This country is so vast with so much to see it is difficult to narrow it down. I think time in the bush is a must for any visitor to SA.

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: The England cricket team.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: If, at the flick of your fingers, you could change anything about life in Johannesburg. What would you change?

A: If we could have Cape Towns beauty this would be the best city in the world to live in.

Q: As a father, what is your families favorite kid friendly restaurant and what would you recommend on their menu?

A: We love Papachinos in Crowthorne. Their pizzas are really good and it’s a great place for the kids. They get to make their own pizzas and they have a really cool area for them to play in with child-minders to keep an eye on them.

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Johannesburg and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: I think the Joburg skyline at sunrise. There is something beautiful about watching the sun rise over the Brixton tower and Ponty on a clear Highveld morning.

Q: You are currently training for the 2010 Comrades marathon. What are your favorite training routes in or around Johannesburg?

A: There are so many. I really enjoy the tree-lined streets in the Ranburg area, especially when the Jacarandas are flowering. There is also a hilly little suburb close to where I stay called Noordkruin that has some of the most spectacular views of Joburg.

General

Q: As a father, radio DJ, voice over artist, emcee and a successful entrepreneur with interests in 3 businesses. Where do you find the time for everything? Do you have any time management secrets that you can share with our readers?

A: I think proper planning is the key. I schedule everything from my runs to my son’s sports games. That way nothing gets forgotten and I manage to work everything in that is important and needs to get done.

Q: Public speaking is rated as one of the most feared activities. What do you enjoy most about it and how did you overcome the natural fear? What is the biggest crowd you’ve MC’d to?

A: I still get nervous when I need to be on stage in front of a lot of people but I’ve learnt to deal with it. I think it just boils down to doing it enough so that you become comfortable with doing it. It’s the old cliché that practice makes perfect. I’ve emceed a few big concerts probably around 12 000 people. But when your eyes are as bad as mine you only see the first few rows of the audience.

Q: Which book would you make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.

Q: If you had to pick one South African as a mentor, who would it be and why?

A: Madiba. I think he is an amazing man. To go through what he went through and not harbor any hatred is unbelievable. I think we owe much of what we have in South Africa today to him.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: I am sport mad, anyone sporty would be good. I would love to ask Bruce Fordyce if he thinks he would have been as successful as he was and won 9 consecutive marathons if he was at his peak now in 2010.

We’d like to thank Brad for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

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