Biography
James C. Earl-Rockefeller, III began his career in entertainment as a professional stand-up comic in 1986. He has shared the stage with some of today's top comedians including D.L. Hughley, Mark Curry, Bernie Mac, Rob Schneider, Eddie Griffin, Luenell, Rodney Perry to name a few. In 1989, He produced his first television program in his hometown of San Francisco, CA on Viacom's Cityvisions Channel 25. It was a dance program titled "And The Beat Goes On" deriving from his background as a dancer in high school. At Channel 25, he collaborated with another independent producer to co-create New World Music Videos. A music video program that interviewed top and local recording artist and featured event coverage.
Moving to Oakland, CA in 1992 presented him the opportunity to appear on BET's Comic View (1st Season) and work for The Soulbeat Television Network, a 24 hour "black owned" network, broadcasting music videos, entertainment and community programming. Soulbeat gave him the freedom to produce several programs with the most popular being a 5 hour morning show titled "Wake Up". Rocke created the vision of VJTV The Visual Radio Network in 1995. It started as a platform for local entertainers, producers, models, designers and businesses to gain exposure through television.
VJTV aired on several access stations around northern California and independent of Soulbeat's programming. Using the resources and contacts he made in the industry, he was able to give VJTV a more national look and appeal. When Soulbeat disbanded in 2003, it gave Rocke and VJTV the opportunity to continue its vision gaining more hours and days through Comcast cable. Rocke has aspirations to return to stand-up while promoting VJTV The Visual Radio Network in nationwide markets through television and the internet. Specialties: Rocke is also a trained television production technician and has worked or produced programming for HBO, PAX, KPST (The Home Shopping Network and Mandarin Programming), KTOP (City of Oakland's Government Channel), KHRT (City of Hayward's Government Channel), CableNet TV (California State University East Bay) and is versed in broadcast and cable, commercial and non-commercial, public and leased access, educational, religious and foreign television. He owns a production company that produces commercials, music videos, public and private events, documentaries and promotional videos.
James C. Earl-Rockefeller, III professionally known as James "Rockenthouse" (Rock-in-the-house) is also a working television and event public address announcer. He has performed continuously from opening announcements for award shows to sporting events. He has voiced commercials for numerous Fortune 500 brands to include; Dodge, Cadillac, Pizza Hut, Honda, Metro PCS and Dickies. His feature film work spans five independent projects. He also has audio-recording credits on several musical projects and children's motivational sports CD featuring sports legends: NBA's Bill Russell, Brian Shaw, NFL's Raymond Chester, MLB's Joe Morgan, Mike Norris, Vida Blue and Bip Roberts. His latest projects as a public address announcer includes; "Crackin' Up", a stand-up comedy program and Youth Sports Nation, an organization featuring legendary pro athletes and recording artist. Rocke started his professional career as a stand-up comedian having performed alongside renowned stand-up, television and movie comics. Working as a VJ for a popular Bay Area television network motivated Rocke to create VJTV The Visual Radio Network, an entertainment television entity that has press covered The Academy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, Heroes and Legends Awards and other celebrity-studded presentations. VJTV is also a content provider for the national cable network TV One. Rocke's moniker, "That Announcer Guy" stems from performing public address at events and bringing a vintage flair to the profession with his game show voice tone, signature plaid jackets, large framed eyeglasses and microphone lapel pin reminds audiences of classic television announcers with his true to art form.
