10 Questions with ... Erik Zachary

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Growing up in a family that owned an Entertainment company, I started DJ and MCing by age 7 actually. I started an internet radio station in high school and then went to Columbia College Chicago to studio Radio and Television Broadcasting, that led to an internship and eventually an 8 year career at iHeart (Kiss FM Chicago, Big 95.5 Chicago and Z100 New York (among other voice tracked markets). In 2017, I was hired by Viacom to host the reboot of TRL on MTV, which provided opportunities to work with several of the Viacom properties (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and even Nickelodeon). After deciding to leave radio in 2019, I returned to the airwaves in October of 2021 with the trial launch of XYZ (official Launch was Jan 1, 2022).

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

As a hungry college freshman that was convinced my time was better spent in studio than the classroom (something I still stand by), I fought tooth and nail to convince my school to allow me to intern under the Weekend Swing Jock on Kiss FM/Chicago, Andrew Hart (known then as Finnigan), is still a dear friend to this day. One thing led to another, I was hired on as a part-timer doing promotions, but then was surprised with the insane opportunity to host a weekend overnight show, in market # 3, two weeks before my 20th birthday.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I always knew I wanted to combine my love for music with my love for hosting and entertaining – I remember watching ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ as a kid and the ‘Make Em Laugh’ number just hit me. That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to do everything I could to make people smile and keep them entertained.

On top of that, I grew up as an only child with parents who were both incredible performers in their own right. Although neither worked in radio specifically, they were both heavily involved in music, entertainment, acting and hosting and they taught me everything I know.

When it came time to think how I could take all of these things I enjoyed (hosting, creating, music journalism) and make it work – that’s when I realized Hosting in Music TV and Radio was kind of the perfect match

3. You’ve worked at some of the most iconic brands in radio? What was it like for you to crack the mic at Z100?

Well I went off air on my very first shift…in New York City… at 3pm in the afternoon. So that was a start (bit of advice, never assume you understand a new board and ALWAYS get the weekend engineer’s direct number.

In all seriousness, my shifts at Z were some of my most fond memories on live radio. It’s no secret that Z100 is a POWERHOUSE and getting to run shows there, 100% live, no VTing, no recording ahead, nothing, truly was a thrill unlike anything I had ever experienced in radio prior. The lines are always lit and the energy of Manhattan quite literally palpitates through the studio.

4. Had it occurred to you that syndication was a viable path? How did that all of that come together for you?

Yes and No. I remember producing Seacrest and Nessa’s PC shows when I was first starting, so I understood the idea of syndicated shows but I never realized that independently owned syndication was an option. Not until a mentor and friend who would kill me if I mentioned him by name called and essentially asked ‘what would it take for you to do radio again?’

I had been burnt out by radio. I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the potential of radio as opposed to how it was actually operating so I made the difficult decision to leave the industry entirely. I took some needed time away and then when the idea of producing a content show and not just quick VTs or live liners was floated, my mind went into overdrive.

5. Who’s on your team at Skyview? How do folks who may be interested in you and your show connect with them?

Oh man, too many incredible people to name. Skyview is a major player that truly operates with the attention to detail of a boutique agency. Everyone knows everyone, everyone is always willing to lend a hand, it truly is the support I didn’t think was possible in the media industry.

With that said, special shout outs to Rico Colindres, Steve Jones, Jeanne-Marie Condo and Andrew Kalb for always entertaining my crazy ideas and to Ed Maloney and Gina Suarez who absolutely crush the handling of my affiliate relations. Finally my producer, Trace Hamilton, who is not only insanely talented but someone I get to call my best friend and is my actual right hand in everything XYZ.

6. What did you learn about yourself as a broadcaster navigating the pandemic?

Well I was in a unique position with that, I had made the decision to leave radio entirely a few months before the pandemic began. I was working heavily in TV and Digital and actually when the pandemic began, I lost out on a pretty big job opportunity, I was literally days away from signing arguably the biggest contract of my life and it was shelved... I was crushed, defeated and unsure of what the world held for me. As COVID progressed and companies put their hiring on hold, that feeling only got worse.

As restrictions loosened, I still found myself struggling to make ends meet. I was working odd jobs here and there, picking up editing/voiceover gigs where I could, producing my own streaming content, hell I even worked part time at a car wash to pay bills, but it only felt like I was falling in reverse more drastically with each day.

It was admittedly a very real wake-up call and a big ol’ slice of humble pie but ultimately I’m thankful for it, as difficult as it was, it really underscored the importance of betting on yourself and always being nimble enough to adjust to new situations.

7. Tis the season—have we heard the ‘Song of Summer 2022’ yet?

I don’t know that we have truly had one singular one. More than a few songs have had moments per say, but I don’t think there really is a ‘song of the summer’ capability in music anymore. I don’t have to explain that music consumption is wildly different than it used to be, even 3 years ago and I am finding it increasingly difficult to use any singular metric to determine that ‘one song of summer’, but if I were creating a playlist of the top 3 or 4?

Nicky Youre – Sunroof
Beyonce - Break My Soul
Jack Harlow – First Class
Lizzo – About Damn Time
and potentially even Nicki Minaj’s Super Freaky Girl as a last minute entry.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Believe in yourself. Trust those who don’t criticize (even constructively) but rather live in the solution. Somethings not working? I’m not hitting my full potential? Give me advice on how to do that, but ultimately, if you’re not maximizing who YOU are as a personality and trying to mimic others, where’s the uniqueness?

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

I’m Chicago born and raised. Kiss FM and B96 were constants for me. Eddie and Jobo was the first show I ever called into and I remember them clocking I was a 14 year old kid that got past the phone screener, but rather than diminish me or pull that ‘okay okay thanks for calling appreciate you listening’ they actually treated me like a contributor to the show. Special K (Scotty K now) was the first night show that I remember listening (and observing in person once I began interning) that caused me to go, THAT’S a content show. That’s how you entertain people and don’t rely on sending people to a website or teasing for payoffs that never come.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have many people influence my career, both positively and negatively. I’ve found it’s important to realize that like any career, mentors will come and go. Taking key advice and guidance while still pushing yourself beyond a single persons opinion is essential.

With that said, the most influential and consistent people who have continued to guide me have been Phil Becker, Rico Colindres, Andrew Hart and Scott Corchin. Never once have they made me feel hesitant about my ideas and even when providing advice or course correction, have always done it in a way that is encouraging, not detrimental.

Who would be your “ultimate dream guest” to have on the show?

Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake. I’ve gotten the opportunity to talk with Ed briefly (not the others) - but to be able to have a proper extended conversation with them? Not in a promo cycle but in a true conversational manor, that’s the dream.

Also not necessarily ‘on the show’ (although I wouldn’t object) but someone I’d love to interview? Ryan Seacrest. I’ve long admired how he has navigated so many different aspects of media, to get personal insight on that and hear him tell his story directly would be incredible.