10 Questions with ... Erik Zachary

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Even in my early years of high school, I knew I loved radio but my school didn't have a station and I was obviously too young to intern, so I started my own Internet station, and it actually ended up being pretty successful! From there I went to Columbia College for radio/TV, interned at iHeart (Clear Channel back then), was hired as a promotions assistant and was offered an opportunity to be on-air on Kiss FM at the age of 20 (weekend overnights). The rest is history!

1) Congrats on hooking up with MTV. What can you tell us about the return of TRL, and your involvement?

Thank you! It's honestly a dream come true. The four other hosts and myself all click extremely well and we're all huge music nerds, so I'm excited to bring that dynamic back to MTV. The show launches on October 2nd!

2) How will you balance/juggle your new responsibilities and your radio show?

Red Bull helps. Sure it's a lot but it's actually not nearly as hectic as I originally thought. There's an express subway between iHeart NYC and the MTV studios which is super-convenient. It only takes me about 15 minutes to get from one to the other!

3) What are you doing social media-wise?

I'm all about live. For the past few months, prior to booking MTV, I was doing a nightly live broadcast on FB that I called the '5 minute night show.' It was basically a condensed version of the topics I was covering that night on my radio show, in video form. I found it was an awesome way to reach and engage with listeners and it definitely drove blog numbers like crazy (not to mention it helped polish my on-camera skills for the current gig!)

4) "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?

It's all about knowing your market -- and I mean really knowing it. Sure, you can throw out a highway name or suburb in your break, but that is so easily brushed off by a listener. It's all about going deeper, the street performer who everyone knows about, the thing a certain town or high school is known for, etc. The more you're able to connect, the more authentic you're going to sound.

5) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?

My station in Sacramento (KBEB) was doing this really awesome 'Country round the Country' trip giveaway. For two months we gave away a trip to a different Country concert, in a different major city every week ... and the best part? It was local winners. Not that national contests aren't awesome, but something about sending someone from your market, somewhere awesome ... Every. Single. Week. That just had a certain magic about it. (Shout-out to B-Dub for the idea!)

6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your personal playlist?

I work in Top 40 (and Country) and truly do enjoy that music, but I'm a huge Pop-Punk guy: All Time Low, Panic! At The Disco, State Champs, We The Kings, Forever The Sickest Kids ... I'm all about it!

7) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I've had the chance to work under so many truly awesome people who really know their stuff. First and foremost though, my father. He's been a DJ/MC for over 40 years and was the guy to first put me on a mic.

In radio specifically? Andrew Hart (Finnigan) gave me my first shot as an 18-year-old intern, then Ryan Gorman (Jordan) was the guy to actually put me on the air. Huge leaps of faith on both their parts! I also had had the unique chance to learn programming under Jeff Kapugi in school, which was unreal. Steve Stewart and Brady both gave me advice that you can only get from true veterans and Matt Scarano is the best market president out there. But number one is, without a doubt, Tommy Austin. That man has hands-down been my biggest supporter since the day I met him. In starting out, switching formats, expanding myself and of course adding Television to my resume. He's the reason I'm able to continue on at my hometown station while simultaneously hosting TRL!

8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

I'm currently finishing up my Private Pilots License. Both of my grandfathers were pilots and my mom is an airline instructor so it was something I always wanted to do ... coolest feeling in the world.

9) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

The direct connection with listeners, without a doubt. If someone is having an awful day and I can be the one to make them smile with a joke or sarcastic quip, if even for a second, that makes it all worth it. To quote Singing In The Rain, "It's all about making 'em laugh."

10) What advice would you give people new to the business?

Three things:

1. Don't feel like there is only one path or method of doing something. I've seen people pass up on amazing opportunities just because they were so heart set on a specific market, timeslot or format.
2. Use each day to learn, absorb and better yourself. You are not and never will be "the best," so always work toward greater and for the love of God, don't fall into the dangerous trap that is complacency.
3. Don't forget to take time to truly enjoy yourself. Yes, it's a hard job, it's beyond stressful and no it won't be easy to "make it"... but despite all of that, never lose sight of why you started in the first place. You're allowed to work hard and be happy.

What's the biggest gaffe you've made on air?

I once said my Chicago station while tracking another out of market station (of a different format too) ... Full 'Chicago's #1 Hit Music Station' positioner and everything. That was a fun conversation with my PD.