Brian Oake Named Co-host of The Current's Morning Show

Jan 6, 2016

The Current today announced that local radio celebrity and veteran DJ Brian Oake has been named co-host of The Morning Show.

Oake has been helping Twin Citians wake up for most of his career, hosting mornings on Radio K, the revered and legendary REV 105 and the short-lived Zone 105, where his co-host was none other than The Current's Mary Lucia in the final year of the station's existence. Also during his time at Zone 105, he launched Freedom Rock, an hour of independent, imported and new releases that aired weekly on both Zone and Cities 97 for more than 17 years.

In 2001, he became the afternoon drive host for Cities 97, hosting hundreds of Studio C performances and interviewing some of the biggest names in music, including R.E. M., Elvis Costello, Mumford & Sons, Adele and countless others over his 11-year tenure. In 2012, he returned to Twin Cities morning radio, co-hosting Cities 97's Morning Show with Keri Noble. Oake and Keri became the highest rated morning show in the station's 30-year history.

"Musicians and listeners have long known that Brian is a passionate air personality who loves being part of this community and connecting artists to audiences," said Jim McGuinn, program director for The Current. "For as long as The Current has been on the air, people have asked both Brian and the station why we weren't working together. Brian's on air sensibility matches the music of The Current - curious, wide-ranging, influential, and authentic. Now it's happening and we're excited to welcome Brian to Team Current."

Oake officially joins his Morning Show co-host Jill Riley on Monday, March 7. Until then, Jade, who has been filling in for Riley who is on maternity leave, and Sean McPherson will continue to host The Morning Show. Listeners can hear Oake on Fridays, 2-6 p.m., and other shifts in the interim as he settles in and prepares for The Morning Show.

"It's hard to describe the exact feeling I'm trying to convey, but I feel like The Current comes closer to exemplifying everything I've ever wanted out of radio than any other station I've known," said Oake. "I'm so thrilled to join this station and its staff, and to become a part of the proud, passionate family of listeners and supporters."

Oake's new co-host expressed her excitement about her new colleague: "Brian is smart, funny and enthusiastic about morning radio," said Riley. "He's also a total music geek and I'm stoked to have him as my new on-air partner. This is going to be fun and I can't wait to launch the new show with Brian."

McPherson, who has been the temporary co-host for the show since March 2015, will remain a host at The Current. Beginning in March, his new shifts will include Saturday night Radio Free Current request show, late nights and filling in as needed. An accomplished musician, he is the longtime bassist of local hip-hop pioneers Heiruspecs and a backing musician for Dessa. Over the last several years, McPherson, co-founder of Trivia Mafia, has hosted The Morning Show's weekly trivia feature.

"We're thrilled Sean continues to be part of The Current," said McGuinn. "I've enjoyed seeing him develop his natural on-air talent over what's really been his first year in radio, and it's great that he's become such a key part of the team."

TUNE IN: Oake officially joins his Morning Show co-host Jill Riley on Monday, March 7. The rebooted Morning Show airs weekdays, 6 -10 a.m. The Current can be heard in the Twin Cities on KCMP 89.3 FM and online at thecurrent.org. The Current's complete station list can be accessed online at minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/stations.