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10 Questions with ... Jon Konjoyan
January 19, 2009
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NAME:Jon KonjoyanTITLE:AC Radio Promotion DudeCOMPANY:Jon Konjoyan PromotionBORN:I think "Ike" was President - in Oakland, CARAISED:Oakland and Moraga, CA
Please outline your radio career so far:
JK Promotion 1990-Present
A&M Records 1981-1990
Entertainment Tonight 1984
Dreamland Records 1980-1981
RSO Records 1978-1980
KALX Radio 1977-19781) What was your first job in the music business?
I worked secondary radio markets for Marc Ratner at RSO Records. Remember "Saturday Night Fever" & "Grease?" That was us. Remember Player & Andy Gibb? That was us too. Remember Rick Dees "Disco Duck?" Uh-huh...
2) What is your favorite part of the job?
Getting to know some very cool people like Leigh Simpson at WOOF or Debbie Kaye at RPM or Tom Furci at WHUD who make me smile...the list goes on.
3) What's been your most rewarding project to work?
Breaking k.d. Lang's "Constant Craving" at AC with Steve Zap (and our "Intern" at the time Mark Strickland!) Radio didn't know what to make of her, but Warner Bros. wouldn't give up. I think we worked it for a year and a half! It went on to be a #1 record.
4) What is the biggest misconception about record executives?
That we're all "weasels," as David Letterman would say. A lot of record people have fascinating backgrounds and many interests outside the business. The most famous example is probably David Geffen, who has helped influence public policy.
5) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
KYA (1260 AM) in San Fran. It was a slightly less-polished, longer-playlisted version of KFRC. I can still hear the jingle: "Bwana Johnny...is here to play more muuusic."
6) What's the worst excuse you ever heard from a programmer?
I promoted Suzanne Vega's "Luka," a great record that you don't hear anymore, which is a shame. One programmer thought it somehow condoned child abuse, and actually ran a disclaimer on the air when the song was finally added.
7) What do you feel is the most valuable research tool that radio should be paying more attention to?
Gut reaction. I'm serious. All of the life and fun in radio has been sucked out. I just got back from Europe and I heard all kinds of wonderful stuff (and some great Oldies) that we don't get here. It makes me sad. Madonna's "Miles Away" is huge in Italy right now, and it sounded great on the air.
8) Are you finding that today's "baby" bands are getting a fair shot at radio and more importantly, are they being given the airplay they need to break through to the masses and be recognized?
A thousand times no. The L.A. radio market takes no chances, so I'm not going to hear many new bands here. The lack of choices on the dial is another problem. A lot of my younger friends have simply abandoned music radio even in the car. They play CDs, MP3s or listen to the talk stations.
9) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
Does The Beatles' "Love" in Las Vegas count? That was a helluva production. Words can't describe some of the things they pulled off. And of course the music is classic.
10) Many say that because of the Internet, we are now in a "singles business." Should musicians be writing and recording every song with the intention of getting radio play? Or is today's music consumer looking for more of those "deep tracks" rather than three-minute uptempo songs with catchy hooks?
Musicians should do what comes from their heart and not worry if it will sell. Having said that, you should always do your best, and put your best work forward. I remember an interview with an artist who said his goal in recording an album was to make each track "strong enough to be a single." I respect the single record as an art form as much as a promotional tool, and I thought his goal was impressive.
Bonus Questions
1) What do you do in your spare time?
I'm a fitness freak. I walk, jog (to music, of course), workout, take the stairs instead of the escalator...it's an easy habit to get into actually.
2) Who is your favorite artist that you have ever met or worked with?
I met Karen Carpenter a month before she died. What a sound she and her brother had. Rolling Stone recently described her vocals as "shockingly intimate." Be sure to check out my website www.myspace.com/saveCarpentershouse.
3) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
Believe it or not quite a bit of metal! I guess it's a reaction to all the AC stuff I promote. I interview and review bands online. Can you believe Metallica and AC/DC will be in the Top Ten sales for 2008?
4) What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Johnny Carson. I was mesmerized by all the great talk shows. People say I have a "radio" voice. I guess it's from all the years of talking to radio people. I'm currently exploring doing on-air work, so if anyone out there is interested, drop me a line at jonkon1@sbcglobal.net!
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