Randall James Skarka was born on April 1st, 1966, in Columbus, Nebraska. His parents were Harold and the late Laverna Skarka. Randy is married to Brenda (Janicek) Skarka, and they live in Grand Island, Nebraska, and have two children: son Colby and daughter MacKenzie.
Randy attended school in Schuyler, Nebraska, graduating in 1984 from Schuyler Central High School. Randy, at age 11, got his first instrument, a trumpet, and started taking lessons. He then played in the Westridge Middle School Band and Schuyler Central High School Band. In 1984, he received the John Philip Sousa Award and was in All-State Honor Band and Jazz Band.
Randy began playing professionally on his 12th birthday at Beseda Hall in Tabor, South Dakota, with the Czechlanders Orchestra on April 1st, 1978. The list of bands he has played on:

• American Czech Brass Band
• Vern Belik
• Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs
• Greg Blecha’s Goodtimers
• Barry Boyce
• Jim Bochnicek
• Dan Bruha
• Czechlanders
• Dean Hansen
• Frank Hazuka
• Lou Hospodka
• Ernie Kucera
• Leo Lonnie
• Ken Shuda
• Mark Vyhlidal
• Raynold Woita’s Czesky Kluci

As Randy learned the basics of the trumpet, he was eager to learn polkas. He then began listening to polkas and taught himself how to play those notes by ear, therefore he learned more by ear than looking at sheet music. Randy has arranged over 200 musical pieces for various bands, has mowed lawns for over 40 years, enjoys tinkering on old vehicles and small engines, most of all Randy enjoys spending time with family in nature.