There is something to be said about the feeling when your favorite music or talk-radio programming comes on. For many, listening to a familiar voice on the radio is about as much interaction that they have with anyone all day. There is a certain intimacy that goes along with radio shows; it is almost as if the DJ is speaking personally to the listener.
For the residents of Castle Country, one of the most familiar voices behind the mic has been Bobby “Uncle Rockus” Sherman, who now works for KSLL and KUSA in Price. In July, Sherman will celebrate his fiftieth year in radio, the last six of which have been in Price. From Arizona to Tennessee, he has worked in 18 different radio stations across the nation, and has reached millions of listeners along the way.
It all began in Sherman’s hometown of Beaver, where as a student he was heard on Beaver High School’s radio station, KBCS.
“After school, kids used to cruise up and down Main Street. The radio station (KBCS) would play requests and dedications for the kids, and I thought that looked like fun,” Sherman said. In college, he attended Utah State University in Logan, where he took a job at the college’s station, KVNU. “Working part time in radio put myself through college. I had scholarships that took care of the tuition, but the expenses all came from part-time in radio,” he said.
Initially, radio wasn’t Sherman’s first career choice. He was studying to become a teacher, and only needed to complete his student-teaching to get there, but a distaste for his radio director at KVNU saw him quit the station and leave town. Sherman left the Beehive State and moved to Carson City, Nevada for a change of pace. “I was tired of Utah; I wanted some sin. I went to Nevada, and there was sin everywhere,” he said.
A travelin’ man
While in Nevada, Sherman had the time of his life, and even rubbed elbows with the governor in Carson City. Since then he has seen jobs in Denver, Tempe, Arizona, Detroit, and essentially everywhere in between. During his time in Tennessee, Sherman interviewed several country stars such as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton.
“One time, I had Kenny Rodgers and Travis Tritt. We were all talking back and forth. At one point, Kenny said to Travis, “We’re leaving Bobby out of it!” And I said, “That’s ok, it’s my show. I’ll get credit for it,” Sherman said. Another star, Kenny Chesney, also frequently walked through the revolving door of musicians who spoke with Sherman. “Kenny Chesney used to come by every time he released a new album, when I was working at a network out of Denver. I told him, ‘I think your entourage keeps getting bigger! Then he [Chesney] said, ‘I think the first time I just drove myself,’” Sherman said.
Radio is a fickle business, one that changes and gets modified at any given moment. Sherman acknowledged the fact that those changes affect disc jockeys the most and usually means that they are the first to get the axe. “There is no job security in radio at all,” Sherman said. Whether a station is going through a format change, change of hands in management or whatever the reason may be, no DJ’s job is safe. For Sherman, however, he’s just having fun and enjoying the ride.
Beats being a greeter
“[When I started out, I] wanted to be an entertainer. It is a way to be creative, and have some fun. It’s a whole lot more fun than being a greeter at Walmart. Although maybe not as entertaining at some times. I come in, and I get a chance to tell some jokes, connect with people, and just continue to be active and keep my mind engaged. I have a great time when I come in,” Sherman said.
Sherman also gave a word of caution to those who are interested in going into the broadcasting field. “Watch where you’re going to land, watch where you’re going. If it is your passion, you have to do it, but if you want security…live a solid easy-going life, find something else to do,” he said.
Over his 50 years in the business, “Uncle Rockus” is still going strong and shows no signs of stopping. For those who aren’t already listening, Sherman hosts an afternoon show on True Country 104.9, and works evenings for the sister station, KUSA “The Buzz.” On July 1, there will be a celebration of Sherman’s milestone in radio at The Tuscan in downtown Price. The celebration is an open house event and admission is free.