What's up guys? I'm Zack. Working for 97.1 The River is my dream job; it is a blast. I mean I get to hang out with tons of great people at the station, travel to interesting places all over Atlanta, meet awesome people like all of you and give ya free stuff. How could it get any better than that?

I have been into radio ever since I had the unique opportunity to start interning at U.S. Broadcasting in Macon, GA at the young age of about... 10 years old. Yes, 10. I worked for a cluster of eight radio stations including: WDEN-AM, WDEN-FM, WPEZ-FM, WMGB-FM, WMKS-FM, WAYS-FM, WDDO-AM and WMWR-AM. I pretty much had the opportunity to explore all aspects of radio from production to sales to programming but I chose to settle down in the promotions office. It was the perfect place to put all of my skills to use while having the most fun!

I also had the opportunity to help set up a radio station in Temecula, CA: "The Valley's Hit Favorites T94.5 KTMK-FM." This is where I learned a lot of the classic songs from the 70's and 80's – many of which are played on 97.1 The River.

Soon after T94.5 was sold and the format changed, I set up two online radio stations from the ground up: "Today's Best Music, Z105.7" and brought back T94.5 with a new tagline: "Your Online, Hometown Radio Station". This is where I refined the skills I received while interning and found a couple of new tricks along the way.

In the past 4 to 5 years, I have been gung ho about theatre. I went to Pebblebrook High School (represent, ya'll) which is the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts. I really did love theatre and I soon became a performer after paying my dues behind the scenes for a few shows. After a couple years in college, and a couple serving jobs that were not exactly my idea of a dream job, my mindset changed and I decided to get back to my first passion: radio. Becoming a river rat was exactly the right thing for me to pursue and I have been enjoying every bit of it ever since.

The most important thing that I have been found out about myself is that I am most happy when surrounded by people who love what they are doing and the people they are doing it with. It makes any job a pleasure. I am surrounded by those kinds of people at 97.1.

Favorite Artists: Billy Joel, Journey, The Eagles, Queen, Sting

Favorite Musicals (yeah, I am a theatre nerd): Wicked, Avenue Q, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Children of Eden, Side Show

Cities I Have Lived In: Panama City FL (born), Tulsa OK, Macon GA, Atlanta GA, Gainesville GA, Valdosta GA and now I am back in Atlanta. Thank god.

Email me: zack.schnyder@coxradio.com