Chip off the musical block

Jaden Bricker may live in the Lower Mainland, but his musical roots are based solidly in Vernon.

At just 17, Jaden already plays numerous instruments – he learned to play the guitar by watching Youtube tutorial videos – and he has self-produced 10 albums already.

For the Terry Fox High School Grade 12 student, music is in his DNA.

His grandfather, Robert Bricker, played for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and was a music professor at Okanagan College and his grandmother, Linda Bricker, played with the OSO for decades.

“All my musical talent comes from Vernon. That's where it all originated,” said Jaden who also composes and sings his own songs.

“I got a microphone and recording gear for Christmas in 2017 and by January 2018 I put out my first album and there have been nine since then,” said Jaden.

And of course, the blossoming star has music videos on Youtube.

But music was not Jaden's first calling.

“Growing up I loved music, but I wanted to be an actor. I was super set on that, but once I got to middle school and learning how to play an instrument I became a little more interested in that,” he said.

“Singing and making music did not even occur to me until went to high school. That is where I came out of my shell. The dream came into my head.”

His dad, Rob, works in the movie industry in Vancouver, but still calls Vernon home and couldn't help but brag on his son.

“About two years ago he said 'Dad, I want to play the guitar.' So I handed him a guitar, I woke up in the morning and he was playing the guitar,” said Rob, adding Jaden and his band recently played an opening gig for Said The Whale in Kelowna earlier this month.

“He's just a cool kid with some buzz around him.”

So what does Jaden see in his future?

“Music of some sort,” said the talented teen.