Chris Jackson’s journey in radio is a testament to his passion, resilience, and deep commitment to his craft. Starting in his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2004 at KZIA, he has navigated an impressive career across multiple major markets. From his early days at KLUC/KXTE Las Vegas to landing in Houston at KHMX, Jackson’s trajectory has taken him across diverse roles in the industry.
A return to Cedar Rapids saw him stepping into a VP of Programming position at KZIA, where he shaped the station’s sound and culture. In 2023, he made the bold move of stepping away from his VP role to return to his roots as a Program Director and Afternoon Host at KZIA. He also took on the Executive Producer role for the nationally syndicated Dave & Mahoney Show, based in Phoenix at KSLX. It’s a high-pressure, multifaceted role that combines his love of music, community engagement, and sharp programming skills.
“Luckily, I’m someone who can’t sit still,” says Jackson, explaining how he balances two major cities and a demanding workload. His days begin early at 4 a.m. with show prep for The Dave & Mahoney Show in Phoenix.
After wrapping up at 10 a.m., he shifts focus to distributing the show to affiliates and planning for the next broadcast. Then, Jackson heads back to his home studio to host his afternoon show on KZIA. Along with other duties like voice work and station imaging.
“Somewhere in all of this, I also make time for my dogs!” he added, showing that even in the busiest of schedules, family (and furry friends) come first.
Traits of a Proven Winner
For Jackson, finding great talent starts with work ethic. “Radio is a tough business, and it takes tough people to make it,” he explains. After that, he looks for individuals who captivate listeners with their stories, personalities, and authenticity.
“I’m a listener first,” he says. “I’ve always been a fan of the talent I work with, and that connection is what makes someone stand out as A+ talent.”
Jackson’s vision for X1075 came to life in 2021 when Cedar Rapids, traditionally a rock-dominated market, lacked a true alternative station. X1075 filled that gap by introducing a fresh, exciting sound to listeners who had long been ignored by mainstream formats.
“We’re providing a break from the norm,” he says. “It’s about offering an alternative to the status quo.”
Through Jackson’s leadership, the station has not only filled a musical void. It also reconnected many listeners with radio, making X1075 a vital part of Cedar Rapids’ media landscape.
After years of moving up the ladder into more corporate roles, Jackson decided to return to what originally made him fall in love with radio: the fun and creative side of the industry. “I realized I’d drifted too far from what made me fall in love with radio in the first place,” he admits.
The Dave & Mahoney Show Calls
When Dave & Mahoney asked him to join their flagship show, having previously worked with them before, it was an opportunity to reignite his passion. “They reminded me of the fun radio is supposed to be,” he says, “and it felt serendipitous.”
Jackson has worked in both corporate and independent radio environments, and he’s experienced the benefits of each. “Corporate radio has resources that smaller companies don’t, but mom-and-pop stations have more flexibility and freedom,” he shares.
While larger companies like Hubbard Radio provide great perks, he finds personal connections at KZIA, Inc. to be a standout. “Their potlucks and staff get-togethers are the best!”
For Jackson, the most rewarding aspects of his career go beyond ratings or revenue—it’s about community service. “Over the years I’ve been a part of some amazing events in radio aimed to serve the communities they exist in, like KLUC’s Toy Drive and KXTE’s Fight Holiday Hunger. Those are the biggest accomplishments to me. Most recently, we launched Dave & Mahoney’s ‘Need to Feed’ to raise donations for St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix. Every time we get to execute these events, it’s a fantastic reminder of why we do what we do in radio. It’s not to crack jokes and play records, it’s to serve our community. That’s what should always come first—and I feel like I’ve been fortunate to accomplish that time and time again.”
Jackson acknowledges the impact the three-minute PPM rule has had on radio. “We’ve adjusted by having shorter, more frequent breaks on engaging topics,” he says. But he also knows the importance of balancing this with long-form content that listeners still crave. “It’s about finding that sweet spot.”
Looking forward, Jackson is cautious but optimistic about the future of radio. “It’s scary to see where radio is going, but I’ve always tried to stay ahead of the curve,” he shares.
He believes in the importance of talent-driven revenue, and if companies like Hubbard Radio and KZIA continue to value talent, he is confident in his future in the industry.
Follow Chris Jackson:
- Instagram: @chrisjax
- Instagram: @daveandmahoney
- Facebook: Chris Jackson on the Air
- LinkedIn: Chris Jackson
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Charese Fruge’ is an award-winning Content, Broadcast, and Marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, and Las Vegas. As the owner of MC Media, she works with radio brands and individual talent, especially young women, helping them grow their brands and negotiate on their own behalf. She is also a Voice Actor and Voice Over Talent as well as a Freelance Writer for International Broadcast Outlets. Find her at @MCMediaOnline or www.mcmediaonline.com.
