Brad Brown - The Early Years
Brad was born in and spent the first 13 years of his life in Virginia in the Free State. Attending Lakeview Primary School and a keen sportsman (although admittedly not very good) Brad had a pretty normal childhood. His high school years were spent at Krugersdorp High School where he developed his serious love of music. Brad recalls how his radio was constantly on in his room and he remembers listening to the likes of Martin Bailey, Tony Blewitt and Alex Jay. He always had it in the back of his mind that it would be ‘cool’ to be on radio but never really took it seriously as a career option. Little did he know then what he would be doing many years later.
Brad matriculated in 1994 and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. At that point a degree in architecture was on the cards at UPE. Not being one hundred percent sure if that is what he wanted to do Brad decided to take a gap year. Which turned into 3. In those 3 years Brad travelled extensively and finally returned to South Africa to study. Even though he still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do regarding a career.
The Start of a Radio Career
Brad Brown
Brad obtained a diploma in travel & tourism from Damelin in 1997 and in 1998 registered at RAU to study teaching. It was while he was at RAU that he had the opportunity to audition for RAU Radio at the end of 1998. It was here that his love affair with radio started. He hosted various shows on the campus radio station including later on becoming the head DJ in charge of hiring and training new jocks. He also went on to become the deputy station manager before his time at RAU was up. While at RAU in early 2000 Brad was given an opportunity to co-host the afternoon drive on a west rand based community radio station called Horison Stereo. Brad co-hosted for 6 months and when the anchor jock left Brad was offered the show which he made his own and hosted for two and a half years thereafter. The next step in Brad’s radio career was into retail radio. Brad joined Adsat in 2001 and was an integral part of the Radio Pick n Pay and Hypermarket Radio line up for the next 5 years.
Joburg's No 1 Hit Music Station
In November 2002 Brad stood in a massive line of people to have a chance of auditioning to become 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s Hot Jock for 2002. Brad auditioned and didn’t make it through the preliminary round and decided to try again. He got back into line and waited for his turn again. Second time round Brad made it through the preliminary judging and went on to win that region and book his place in the final. Brad did not win but he took the opportunity of getting his foot in the door to push for an audition show which finally he got in February the following year. The rest, as they say, is history. Brad has developed the reputation as being the reliable go to guy and has filled in on every show on the radio station from overnight graveyard shifts to filling in for Alex Jay on the Drive and Jeremy Mansfield’s Rude Awakening. Brad currently hosts the Weekend Breakfast show on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 6am on 94.7 Highveld Stereo.
As a voice over artist, Brad has featured in many radio and television productions over the years. Clients that he has done work for include Hollard Insurance, Vodacom, McDonalds, Budget Insurance, Puegot, Sony Ericsson and Land Rover.
Brad is also a more than capable emcee having hosted various functions from corporate golf days to black tie dinners, product launches to introducing international performers on stage in front of 20 000 people.
Brad Brown on stage at Joburg Day 2008
Brad is also an accomplished club DJ having played at some of Joburg and Durban’s hottest nightspots over the years. Clubs he has played in include The Roxy Rythm Bar, Chillers, Morgan’s Cat, Bourbon Street, Tovey’s and Night Fever.
Brad Brown on the Decks
The Entrepreneur
Fast Track Solutions
Brad is somewhat of an entrepreneur and over the years has built a few successful businesses. Brad currently owns a property consultancy called Property Tycoon, he is a part owner in a company called Fast Track Solutions that has developed a unique debt optimisation product. He also owns a web design business, CSD, that offers a unique way for a business to have a web presence.
