Ryan O'Connor Breakfast Show

A tour of Sun Records in Memphis

We took a trip to Sun Records - a recording studio and record company started by Sam Phillips. The inside of the studio has helped launch the careers of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. We heard about all their stories and how they got started…

18 Aug 2023 2AM 5 min

Soul music legend William Bell

Stax launched the careers of the biggest names in soul music including the likes of s Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Wilson Pickett, Albert King, Eddie Floyd, Jean Knight, Mable John, and William Bell who we got the chance to meet at our hotel.

18 Aug 2023 1AM 6 min

An exclusive tour of the Sam Phillips Recording Studios

It doesn't get better than this. If you want to talk about Memphis music royalty then you have to talk about the late, great Sam Phillips - the legendary producer who started Sun Records and Sun Studios. In 1969, Sam Phillips sold Sun to Shelby Singleton but his son has…

17 Aug 2023 2AM 7 min

The National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis exhibits trace the history of the civil rights movement in the United States from the 17th century to the present. The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, which was the site of the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. We…

15 Aug 2023 10AM 11 min

Hot Memphis days, Elvis tributes, and soul food

We woke up to one of the hottest days we'd experience this week - 35 degrees with 70% humidity (which makes it feel like it's well into the 40s). In Cape Town the common small talk that happens seems to start with "Strange weather we're having hey?!". We learned in…

15 Aug 2023 9AM 9 min

Teaching some Memphians about South Africa

As we take in the sights and sounds of Memphis, we also took the opportunity to test locals on what they might know about South Africa. Let's just say that they might not have been informed about certain South African words, we were very entertained.

14 Aug 2023 1AM 1 min

Nico Panagio visits ROC Breakfast

Nico Panagio is no stranger to South African tv, film, and radio. While he's not entertaining us on the screen or hosting Survivor South Africa, he also head up Missing Children South Africa. Missing Children South Africa is a first tier is an emergency response service that assists the South…

11 Aug 2023 5AM 11 min

A taste of Summer and Ryan's Sandy Bay experience

If you're looking out your office window right now you'd be forgiven for feeling upset that you can't be outside. A 27 degree Thursday in Winter is rare and it's the perfect day to be outdoors or on the beach. Ryan told us about his experience going to Sandy Bay…

10 Aug 2023 5AM 5 min

We're going to Graceland!

There was a BIG announcement on the Ryan O'Connor Breakfast Show today. With your suggestions we decided we're off to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.

8 Aug 2023 5AM 5 min

Ryan's mole problem

Ryan has a mole problem. And we're not talking about the kind you got to your dermatologist for. We definitely expected a lot of people to be able to relate, but we definitely didn't expect the lengths some of you have gone to get rid of a mole in your…

3 Aug 2023 7AM 3 min

The legendary 'junk' drawer

Every home has one - the blackhole of miscellaneous household items. The Ryan O'Connor Breakfast Show opened the floor to our listeners to tell us what they've found in theirs.

2 Aug 2023 4AM 3 min

He won't EVER dig in his aunt's cupboard again

An innocent childhood game turned into a mortifying experience for a caller on the Ryan O'Connor Breakfast Show...well it was embarrassing for his aunt at the time. Let's just say he should never have been digging around in his aunt's cupboard in the first place.

2 Aug 2023 4AM 2 min

Life's simple pleasures

You don't always need something big to happen to get a happy kick out of life. Sometimes it's as simple as finding a parking spot right in front of the shop's entrance. The Ryan O'Connor Breakfast Show opened the floor to everyone to share their simple pleasures in life.

31 Jul 2023 5AM 3 min

Ryan's run in with a granny

Don't worry...the story is a bit more innocent than the title suggests. But Ryan had an experience on a flight that reminded us all that there are certain things grandmother's do that seem to be universal.

28 Jul 2023 3AM 4 min

She hopes the politician didn't know where the hairbrush came from

Have you ever had a moment when you did something at work that left you embarrassed and scared for your life? One caller told us about her experience working in a production company overseas that involved a well known German politician, a make-up artist, and a dog's hairbrush.

24 Jul 2023 6AM 1 min

When a colleague has bad breath

Have you ever had to endure a conversation with a colleague who has bad breath? Well you're not alone - apparently 1 in 5 people have admitted to avoiding talking to someone in the office because of their terrible oral odor. One Smile listener didn't hold back when she called…

21 Jul 2023 5AM 2 min

James Dalton is striving to make schools safer

Springbok legend James Dalton popped in for a chat with Ryan for Bok Friday. We all remember him as the gutsy number 2 and rugby world cup winner for South Africa, but there's a whole other side you might not know about James. He's launched My Safe Space - an…

21 Jul 2023 4AM 6 min

Matthew Mole on ROC Breakfast

Matthew Mole is a Cape Town gem who can put a smile on anyone's face. His voice is a gem in the South African music industry and he's built a loving fan base around the world for the last 10 years. Visiting Cape Town for a few days, Matthew popped…

19 Jul 2023 5AM 14 min

Percy Montgomery and Mark Keohane ahead of the Boks & All Blacks game

We're bringing Bok Friday back on the Ryan O'Connor Breakfast Show. Ahead of the massive clash between South Africa and New Zealand tomorrow, we were joined by our friend and rugby oracle Mark Keohane. He brought a special guest in Springbok legend Percy Montgomery.

14 Jul 2023 4AM 12 min

The Perfect Picture Season 2

A thrilling visual adventure awaits with 10 local celebrities showcasing their creativity in the quest to get the Perfect Picture. The celebrity contestants will take their Canon EOS R8 cameras and face challenges to stretch their skills in different areas of photography. Ryan caught up with Roger from Canon SA…

14 Jul 2023 2AM 10 min