2RE’s John Parkinson: “More than anything, I want to make my beautiful father proud”

John Parkinson’s journey into radio all started with a conversation he once had with his dad – the late, great, legendary singer Doug Parkinson.

At the time, John’s life in Sydney was full to the brim. He was juggling a host of jobs including band manager, venue promoter and tour driver for Frontier Touring, as well as making his mark in the sporting arena.

A talented first grade footballer, John toured the world and would later be offered an NRL contract.

As John tells Radio Today, it was whilst he was playing for Easts Rugby that he experienced something of a ‘lightbulb moment.’

“All I remember back then was the fact that I was so busy in life, but there was still something missing.”

“My dad and I were having a conversation one afternoon and he said to me ‘You have a warm and wonderful voice for radio. You should give it some serious thought.’”

It was solid advice.

Today, John hosts Afternoons at 2RE on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.

Radio even played a serendipitous part in his parents getting together.

John’s mum Susie was working as a PA to the Sales Manager at Sydney’s 2UW when she met his dad.

It’s now more than three years since Doug – one of Australia’s greatest and most influential rock-soul voices – passed away.

“My dad was very humble,” says John. He would always say to us boys ‘Work hard at the things that you love to do.’”

“He always found time to encourage us and was always there for us if we needed to talk to him. He was a very loving father.”

Growing up at Collaroy on Sydney’s northern beaches, John and his brother Daniel enjoyed a blissful childhood, always outside, always playing sport, surfing and skateboarding.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything more,” says John.

Not surprisingly, music was always part of his life, and a career in the entertainment industry was something to which John himself aspired.

“Very much so. I wasn’t sure as to what career path to take. I was in two minds in relation to television or the music industry.”

John chose TV. He worked in staging for Channel 10 in North Ryde, then in Melbourne, at the old Channel Nine studios in Bendigo Street, Richmond.

When Doug suggested that John consider a radio career, it was real food for thought. And an opportunity was about to present itself.

During the COVID lockdowns, John heard that community radio station Port Stephens FM was looking for an announcer.

As fortune would have it, John bumped into 2HD Newcastle‘s weekday announcer Dave Cochrane one night and got chatting.

“We hit it off instantly and he said to me during our conversation that night ‘Have you ever been in radio?’”

“I laughed and said ‘I’m starting at Port Stephens FM next week.’”

“After hearing my first on air show, my dad, Dave Cochrane and radio legend Gavin Wood all said to me ‘You’re made for this.’”

“I was both humbled and encouraged.”

The rest is history.

2TM Tamworth Afternoons announcer Dan Saunders worked with John during their community radio days at Port Stephens FM.

Dan tells Radio Today “John is one of the most determined, hardest working people I know. His desire to be the best at anything he puts his mind to is inspiring.”

“Having witnessed John endure some tough life situations over the past few years, it truly is inspiring to see him not only deal with these challenges and sufferings head on, but how he has been able to move forward in such a positive manner is heartwarming.”

“I am proud to be a colleague of John, and even prouder to be able to call him a trusted friend.”

John – who’s also worked at Inverell on 2NZ Breakfast – says there’s plenty to love about his current role at 2RE and life in Taree, on the banks of the beautiful Manning River.

“The lovely community across the region. My work colleagues. Learning my craft.”

“I am most definitely a people person and my knowledge of music comes naturally to me, as it’s been my entire life.”

“I have been at 2RE for 12 months. I have learnt so much and will continue to perfect my craft under the guidance of the 2RE leadership team.”

John says he was recently both touched and honoured to chat with departing 2GB host Ray Hadley in an interview to mark his dad’s birthday.

It was a heartwarming conversation, listened to by thousands.

“My dad was a very special person. Everybody loved him,” says John.

As for career highlights to date, John says “There have been so many. When I first received the phone call to work in commercial radio for the Super Radio Network.”

There have also been steep challenges. After a lifetime of playing rugby, John recently underwent double knee replacement surgery.

Now, as he continues to work on his fitness goals, John dreams of one day hosting his own signature program.

“I would love nothing more than to be doing interviews, talking sport, sharing many great life stories and playing the music that has influenced my life from a very young age.”

“More than anything, I want to make my beautiful father proud.”

*Photos supplied