St. Marys teen dreams of owning record label

ST. MARYS - Zac Platt wants to spend his life exploring the world of music. He is a musician and hopes to operate his own record label.

"I've always been interested in knowing what's going on behind the singer," Platt, 18, said. "You know there's people behind them, someone working their butts off to make them look good. I'm interested in all of it, the business side and the technical side, the sound board, recording, and you get to work with amazing artists coaching them."

Platt, who is a senior at Memorial High School, plans to study music business at Ohio Northern University in Ada. He is undaunted by the prospect of entering a rough and tumble and maybe even elitist business.

"I can do pretty much what I set my mind to," Platt said. "If I want it bad enough I'll push until I get it."

Platt plays the tuba and saxophone.

"I love playing jazz," Platt said. "The saxophone is pretty sweet. I like that I can put my whole self into it. I'm into '90s pop, that's what I'm listening to, but I'm not picky about music. I'll listen to anything but country. Absolutely, no country."

At the high school, Platt is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.9 grade-point average, band and choir programs, Student Council, Future Teachers of America as an elementary school tutor and Thespians as secretary.

"I tutor for an after-school program," Platt said. "I love working with children. They're fun and I like to help out."

Platt also volunteers with the honor society and has performed for three years with the District III Honors Band.

As a thespian, he appeared in school productions of "Fiddler on the Roof," "Cow Tippers," "Fifteen-Minute Hamlet" and "Shut in by the Door."

"I like acting because you get to be somebody else," Platt said. "You get to leave yourself behind and put on a show. I love singing, too. I love expressing myself and touching people with the words that come out of my mouth."

Platt works at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital. For fun, he likes to hang out with friends and play video games.

Most of my free time is spent on music," he said.

Platt is the son of Holly and Jeff Platt. He has a brother, Bradley, 11, and two sisters, Emily, 13, and Stephanie, 20.