Jason Kerr, still only 49, began his media career at the Sydney AM radio station 2GB as a phone operator in 1992.
Back then 2GB’s studios were on Sussex Street, the commercials were on carts, AAP was on the floors below and Alan Baskin was reading the national news.
Young Jason Kerr at work
Kerr went on to work with broadcasters including John Pearce (his mentor and the father of talkback radio) as well as Bobby Limb, Clive Robertson, Malcolm T. Elliott, Ian MacRae, Graham & Sandra Ross and Ita Buttrose, along with countless other presenters.
Jason and Jimmy with Bill Crews
Over the years Jason has produced and edited more than 15,000 interviews with leaders including John Howard and the late-Bob Hawke, as well as entertainers like Sir Michael Parkinson, Jimmy Barnes, Marcia Hines, Neil Sedaka, Helen Reddy, Melissa Manchester, Judith Durham, Suzi Quatro, Andrew Denton, Elaine Paige, Tina Arena and Petula Clark. Also Grammy Award-winning Jersey Boys writers Bob Gaudio and Rick Elice, in addition to Aussie icons like Carlotta and John Paul Young, 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson and music impresario Michael Chugg.
Wedding day: Jason Kerr and Geoff Field. Married on air during the Kyle and Jackie O Show when Field was newsreader at Sydney’s #1 FM breakfast show
For the last 15 years, Jason Kerr produced the much-loved Reverend Bill Crews.
Recalling that partnership, Kerr said: “It’s one of those rarest of radio relationships – where two people share a common creative philosophy. I’m honoured to have guided Bill’s program to #1 in Sydney and now Brisbane too. In fact, helping my presenters connect with new audiences and achieve ratings success has always driven my broadcasting ethos”.
However, after 30 years of unbroken service, Kerr said it is time to call an end to it all – at least for now. “This has not been an easy decision to make, but it is a necessary one. My own media consultancy and brand business has continued to grow over the last decade and now requires all my energy. Moreover, after 30 years I’m due more time with my journalist husband, Geoff Field; incidentally, we met at 2GB’s Sussex Street studios.”
Kerr will continue to manage media businesses including The Luxury Cruise Review and Kerr Communications.