She may be Canada's — or even the world's — only fourth-generation broadcaster, but Roo Phelps is putting her foot, or country boot, down across a new syndicated market.
Phelps, who hails from Courtenay and is the daughter of former Courtenay Mayor Greg Phelps, recently was added to the syndicated Casey Clarke Show, Canada's most-listened-to country radio program.
"I used to say she was vaccinated with a gramophone needle," said Greg. "She was born talking and won't stop."
Clarke has been hosting various programs on Country Music Television since 1997, and in 2009, was awarded the Country Music Award International Broadcaster of the Year — only the second Canadian to do so.
He hosts two syndicated radio shows across Canada, and Roo, who admits to always being a fan of his, said she was "thrilled to have been paired with him."
"(I am) incredibly excited and honoured to have been added to Casey's syndicated show and feels (our) combined passion for country music, laughter and great radio will be the launching pad for the next incarnation of the Casey Clarke Show," she noted in a press release.
She added she has always been a fan of country music and recalls her and Greg singing along to Kenny Rogers or the Judds on her way to horseback riding lessons as a child.
Roo has worked in radio since 1999 across Vancouver Island, Vancouver and now Kelowna. Greg, whose background is also in radio, said it is a proud moment for him.
"The opportunity came to her," noted the former manager of JET-FM in Courtenay.
As Roo grew up, he added, the Phelps listened to every style and genre of music, from Pavarotti to Iron Maiden.
"We exposed her to all sorts of music to develop her style."
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