METROMIX INTERVIEW

Q&A: Skywalker of WSPK K104.7

He’s a people watcher

Mike Rice

Metromix sat down with a popular DJ from one of our favorite stations, K104. We chatted with Skywalker about Tiger Woods, his favorite Hudson Valley places and marriage proposals.

How did you get your radio name?
Long story short, there was another Skywalker that used to work at the radio station I started at. He moved to Florida and was coming back to Long Island, where I was working, to work at a competing station. My boss was not happy with this fact so he changed my name to Skywalker to, in effect, annoy the competition. The name stuck, and no I am not your father, haha.

How did you get into the radio biz? It is the only thing I have ever wanted to do. My way into my hometown station on Long Island was an internship in college. The internship turned into a part time job and the rest is history.

What is one of the most bizarre things you have heard by someone calling into the radio station? Marriage proposals are always interesting. I think the funniest call was once this guy called before his date to send out a song to the girl he was going to meet up with that night. Well his phone must have accidently redialed later on. Lets just say you could hear the date was going well.

If you could DJ for any celebrity, who would it be and why? Diddy would be fun. If I was a DJ for Tiger Woods there would probably be perks as well.

Do you listen to any other radio stations outside of K104? I listen to all the radio stations in the Hudson Valley. It is my job to keep up on the competition. I also stream outside of the market stations as well.

Is there one particular song that you rather not play when it’s requested? We don’t play “I will survive” by Gloria Gaynor, so no worries. I like all the songs we play.

Ever actually spin a record? In college we learned how to slip cue a record. Needless to say I never needed that skill.

What are your hobbies outside of music? Music is such a big part of my life but other than that I love to travel, love to go out to eat or get into Manhattan. I’m an internet dork and can you consider my Blackberry a hobby? Love it! Yankee fan as well, but so disappointed that this was the first year since I was 10 that I didnt get to a game.

What do most people not know about you? I think people assume DJs seek attention. I don’t mind it. I am not shy, but I am not the one who makes a scene. I am an avid people watcher rather than the focus of attention.

Favorite local bar / hotspot? I like the Newburgh waterfront. There is also a great cozy wine bar in Beacon called Chill. You can often find me there.

Ever go to work with a hangover? I assumed that was part of the job? Not a pleasant experience but often indicated you had a good night. So to answer the question, yes.

Any words of wisdom for your ever growing fan base? Any e-mail, picture, video you take is forever archived in the world. Choose wisely. Haha. No words of wisdom, just thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives for the nine years I have been there. No one loves my job more than I.

What do you think of the Hudson Valley nightlife scene? I see a shift back and forth between a bar scene and a club scene. I grew up on Long Island, where the nightlife was very active and the Hudson Valley has a little bit, if everything, depending on what you are looking for.

What is your favorite place to party? Anywhere my friends are at. Its the people that make the party.

What is your favorite Hudson Valley restaurant? Hmmmm, soooo many. I enjoy Shadows in Poughkeepsie, Crew in Poughkeepsie… I recently went to the Artist Palate in Poughkeepsie. Really good, check it out.

What makes the Hudson Valley unique from other Metromix areas like Detroit, Chicago and New York City? I think it is the best of both worlds in that it is rural options with mountain views. It has small town Main Street options, as well as being in driving distance to the best city in the world, NYC.

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