Fortener indulging in radio passion in Indy

By Jim Metcalfe, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, June 25, 2007 (2 years, 8 months ago)
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INDIANAPOLIS — It might be a 3-hour trek from Delphos to Indianapolis but for Delphos native Michael Fortener, it’s one he gladly took 14 years ago.
The son of Jim and Sharon Fortener is a radio personality for WFBQ-94.7 FM in Indianapolis, working exclusively for the famous morning broadcast “Bob and Tom Show.”
It’s an odyssey he began way back in John Gunder’s TV programming classes at St. John’s.
“That’s where my interest in broadcasting started. Though the classes were more TV-oriented, it got me thinking about doing something in this field for my future,” Fortener, a 1984 St. John’s graduate, began. “His classes helped you get your feet wet, to use some of the same equipment that the big boys were using, and to see if it was something you might like to do.
“I remember Duane Pohlman in that class and he went into the TV part of it. I had a passion for music, so radio was the direction I chose.”
He took his interest for radio to Bowling Green State University in the communications program. During that time, he took a position with WIOT in Toledo.
“That was a great job. It allowed me to indulge my passion for music during college; after graduation, it became a full-time job,” he continued.
In 1992, the odyssey continued. A position opened up at an alternative Indianapolis radio station, WRZX. He is still the music and imaging director at the station.
It was there that he became involved with “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500.
“They had access to the race because the morning show guy also did work at the ABC-TV affiliate for the race. I was in the right place at the right time and got hired at WRZX’s sister station, WFBQ, to become the ‘Track Dude’ for the ‘Bob and Tom Show’,” he explained.
Recently, he became part of a 7-person crew that took the place of long-time Indianapolis 500 voice Tom Carnegie.
It also includes Dave Calabro, Bob Jenkins, Jerry Baker, Laura Steele, Scott Hoke and Kevin Lee.
“Tom was a legend around the Speedway. No one person could take his place so we’re doing it by committee,” Fortener noted. “Laura does lifestyle pieces for us at the track, as well as some PA work. Bob has done tons of stuff for ESPN.
“One of my jobs for the show is as the track reporter; I’ve been that for about eight years now. They kind of needed some help and I was in the right place at the right time. I’ve done interviews with Danica (Patrick), Helio (Castroneves) and others that you cans ee on the Jumbotron during the race or during delays. I interview racers at all the events at the Speedway as well as on the road, like at Iowa and Richmond.”
As if he is not busy enough, on weekends, Fortener help host the Fan Zone stage at races, as well as working for Sinder Racing in the IndyCar series.
“These are 2-seaters where the average fan can go for a ride,” he said.
His work is not all in front of the camera or with a microphone in his hand, he acknowledges. His official title at the station is Creative Services Director.
“I do a lot of behind the scenes work for the show. Right now, I’d helping produce a reprint of a CD Bob and Tom did that’s going into re-release,” he continued. “I also help produce some of their comedy skits. I’ve been with the show since 1999.”
Fortener is known in radio circles as Michael Young.
“In the late 1980s, everybody took on a radio name; you didn’t use your real one. At the time, my bosses asked me what I’d like for my radio name,” he explained. “I replied I didn’t know. Since I was the youngest employee at the station at the time, they called me Michael Young. I’ve tried to go back to Fortener professionally but the people I work with and interview know me as Michael Young; I’m stuck with it.”
Fortener is the father of an 11-year-old boy and has been married for 12 years to his wife, Amanda.
“He likes to play baseball but he’s looking at what I do,” he ended.
The man who fostered Fortener’s interest, Gunder, pointed out two things that made Fortener stand out.
“Drive and ambition. If you look at all the ones that have come out of the TV Programming classes here at St. John’s and done well in the communications field, those are the two characteristics they had,” he explained. “They had those from an early age. Michael figured out that radio was more what he wanted and took advantage of every opportunity along the way.”
Gunder pointed out that in the 36 years of the program at St. John’s, well over 20 graduates have gone on to national and even international success in the field of communications.
“You have MIchael, Jamie Vogt, now technical director for CNN in New York; Ben Mesker at Adrenaline Films in Florida. It’s a long list of successful people,” he continued. “We’ve figured it out that every year, 2-3 people that have been involved in this program have at least tried their hand in the field of communications, whether radio, TV, public relations or something.”
The program was the brainchild of Gunder, then-principal George Adams, Gene Kois, Tom Miller and Cypress TV.
“I remember George commenting that if one person comes out of the program and makes a career of it, it’s worth it. Those men were visionaries,” he concluded. “It makes you feel good that we’ve been the first step for many of these men and women to begin their successful careers.
“However, it’s only a first step. They, like Michael, have been the ones to take the second, third, fourth and fifth steps to get to where they are now.”

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