Kieran Wilkie, better known to radio listeners as Big Ginger, is headed to Edmonton where he’ll be helming afternoon drive on Virgin Radio (CFMG-FM).
Wilkie has been hosting in the Kelowna market for the last several years, most recently on Pattison Media’s Beach Radio 103.1 (CKQQ-FM) Kelowna. He was also heard in afternoons on the Beach Radio stations in Prince Albert, Melfort, and North Battleford, SK, up until this past November, when he and Pattison parted ways.
Wilkie started his broadcasting career with a practicum at CKOV-AM Kelowna, going on to work with Rogers Sports & Media’s stations in Metro Vancouver, initially as part of the JACK FM (CJAX-FM) street team and stunting on the Larry and Willy morning show, doing fill-in and weekends on Star 98.3 (CKSR-FM) Chilliwack and Country 107.1 (CKQC-FM) Abbotsford, and eventually producing JACK FM morning show, Kiah and Tara Jean.
He moved within Rogers to Country 101 (CKBY-FM) Ottawa in 2016, to co-host the Unbalanced Breakfast, alongside Kenny Jones. Wilkie went on to host mornings on Vista Radio’s The Goat (CFCP-FM) in Courtenay and Comox on Vancouver Island, before being recruited by Pattison to succeed Bob Mills in mornings on the former Power 104 (CKLZ-FM) in 2019. He continued to co-host the morning show through the station’s rebrand as 104.7 The Lizard in 2021, before moving into afternoons on Beach Radio in July 2022.
Wilkie told Broadcast Dialogue that parting ways with Pattison in November actually had a silver lining, giving him more time to spend with his dad in the final weeks of a difficult battle with cancer.
After four months away from the mic, Wilkie said he’s excited about his new show on Virgin Radio, set to make its debut April 14.
“I said I wanted my next move to be to an NHL city,” said Wilkie. “There’s a certain world class feeling that comes with being part of a globally recognized city and Edmonton and the Oilers obviously have a huge history.”
Wilkie said he’s looking forward to interacting with Edmonton listeners and getting to exercise his creativity in a new market.
“I’ve noticed already how friendly everyone is,” said Wilkie. “The best thing about my job is the interaction with the people. I’m big on doing streeters. I do a lot of produced pieces and I’m pretty hyper-local. During awards season, I love to do Grammy-type awards for the neighbourhoods known for the best drivers, best food, which neighbourhood likes to party…”
Blair Gaboury has been hosting afternoons on Virgin Radio in both Calgary and Edmonton for the last eight months. He’ll continue in afternoon drive on Virgin Radio Calgary.
