The Zack Skyler Story & Basic Interview
He's Indiana born and raised! He has two awesome kids—Emily and Andrew—and they absolutely rock.
Since I was a kid, I’ve been passionate about drums, radio, music, movies, and TV (to an extent). I landed my first radio job at 14, and I’ve never looked back. Radio is in my DNA.
These days, I’m the Programming Assistant for several stations in our hub, including ALT 99.5 and 102.3 FM—and I LOVE it. I also wear other hats: I’m the Production Director for all our stations and work closely on Promotions too. So yeah, I’m pretty much all in.
I’m a total info junkie. I watch, read, and listen to just about everything. I’m also a bit of a history nerd and a big fan of news and sports.
Zack's broadcasting history
I’ve worked at a few stations here in Fort Wayne and spent years living and working in radio in Orlando and Minneapolis. I even did some TV work along the way. But radio? That’s my forever home. It’s always going to be part of who I am.
What Zack loves about alternative music?
So much. I love the history and the evolution of alt.
You can trace its roots back to garage bands of the '60s and The Velvet Underground, into the punk explosion of the '70s—The Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Buzzcocks. Then there’s Joy Division morphing into New Order, Big Star’s power pop, and the rise of the ‘80s legends like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, and one of my all-time favorites—The Replacements.
By the late ‘80s, bands like Green River and Mother Love Bone paved the way for Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I was even a member of the original Sub Pop Singles Club and still remember the rush of getting those early Seattle records.
I lean more toward the guitar-driven side of alternative—especially the '90s stuff—but I think there’s a lot of great alt music happening right now too. I’m really into The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, The Head and the Heart… Sharing songs I love with others? That’s the best part of the job.
What are some features of your show?
I talk about life—how weird and wonderful it is. My amazing kids come up a lot. Family is everything.
Some of my regular segments include:
Superhero Report
Food Update
#1
Stoopid News
Love Update
You Did WHAT!?!
The G.O.A.T.
Pop Culture Radar
The Greatest Story Ever
…and updates on music, movies, and TV.
Listeners can call anytime at 877-325-1023.
You might also hear from some of my friends who drop in often: Sandwich, Inko, PodBoy, and ViralGirl. I’m always talking about the people, places, and weird happenings in Fort Wayne.
I also love music, movies, TV, video games, books (avid reader), art, podcasts, classic pinball and arcade games, vintage homes, classic cars, nature—you name it. If I’m into it, I’ll probably talk about it.
You’re behind ALT Homegrown Spotlight. What are your thoughts on it?
I’ve always believed in the power of the local music scene. Fort Wayne has some serious talent, and it just keeps getting better. I’ve pushed for local artist features for a long time, and we’ve made it a regular thing.
The ALT Homegrown Spotlight showcases all styles—straight-ahead alternative, indie, folk, punk, electronic, funk, and all shades of rock. Artists can submit music to me at [email protected].
We also host ALT Homegrown Showcase, our local music hour, every Friday at 7 PM. It’s one of my favorite parts of the week.
What are your favorite things about Fort Wayne?
#1: The people!
I love our local sports—Komets, TinCaps, and (when they were here) the Mad Ants.
I catch live shows wherever I can: The Brass Rail, The Ruin, Muse on Main, O’s, and all the other great spots.
I’m a big movie buff, so Cinema Center is a must. I also love the festivals—Middle Waves, Hobnobben, TRF, and Johnny Appleseed are all awesome.
As for record shops: Welcome Back Records and Wooden Nickel are both top-notch.
My kids and I are big fans of the Fort Wayne Zoo, and we’re always down for a visit to Coney Island or Powers. Great food, great city.
Any Hobbies?
Anything outdoors, reading (avid reader), traveling, drawing, writing, art, television, radio, podcasts, listening to music, watching movies, hockey, playing the drums, video games, history, discovering things…whatever that may be.
I am a foodie all the way.
Favorite TV Series?
The Sopranos is my #1 of all time.
I like a few classics like Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Frasier and The Office.
I dig Stranger Things on Netflix, HBO Max’s GOT and House Of The Dragon, AMC’s TWD and all their sequels and prequels, Amazon Prime’s Lord Of The Rings.
I enjoy cartoons and animation.
Favorite Music?
I love nearly all music. My tastes are all over the place. I enjoy most genres and styles and dig many decades,, even a lot of stuff before my time. I’d say my favorite bands ever are The Beatles, The Doors, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, Big Star, Badfinger, The Sweet, The Ramones, The Replacements, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana and Teenage Fanclub.
I’m a rock & roll guy at heart. Guitar driven, REAL. Some pop is fine with me. Classic outlaw country is nice… Johnny Cash, Waylon, Merle.
I have a great love for classic soul and R&B, especially Sam Cooke. Marvin Gaye and all of the Motown classics are special.
I like Beck, Foo Fighters, TV On The Radio, Jellyfish, Radiohead, Material Issue, Primal Scream, Faith No More and a million others.
Favorite Movies?
I dig mob flicks, so The Godfather, Goodfellas, Scarface, A Bronx Tale.
I like many of the Superhero flicks, especially Avengers and Justice League projects.
Favorite Books?
Charles Fleming’s High Concept is a fine and INSANE read.
Any rock & roll, radio, record label, film studio stories.
I love the interesting stories throughout history, whether former Presidents, news or sports related, classic Hollywood.
Must Reads include: George Orwell’s 1984, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Machiavelli’s The Prince.
Favorite Websites Beside altfortwaye.com?
Stereogum.com
Pitchfork.com
PauseandPlay.com
JoBlo.com
TheFutonCritic.com