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10 Questions with ... Crystal Ann Lea
May 15, 2023
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1. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
At age seven, my family moved to the suburbs of Omaha and that first summer we listened to KOIL AM at the neighborhood pool, which kept my attention all through elementary school. By the time I hit Jr. High, KEZO flipped from easy listening to hard rocker Z-92. That station's transformation was very WKRP-like. Z-92 remained my radio staple all through high school. After winning a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Damn the Torpedoes LP, my dad drove me to the station to pick it up. The station was recently remodeled, dimly lit, smelled like new carpet, I think there was even carpet on the walls. The super-cool receptionist handed me the LP across the reception desk. It had that gold stamped "for promotional use only" warning message in the upper right corner of the cover. I felt so 'inside' owning that album. My fourteen-year-old imagination ran wild with thoughts of all that went on behind the scenes to get that record into my teenage clutches.
2. What got you interested in the record business?
A couple of years after moving to Southern California as a Licensed Massage Therapist, still planning to enroll in acupuncture school, I developed wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries from too many hours on the job. In need of cutting my daily eight hours of massage clients in half to repair the injuries, I entertained additional opportunities to fill the other half of my day with employment. Thinking along the lines of working at a health food store part time.
Meanwhile, twenty-five-year-old me immersed in Hollywood's thriving music scene of that day, hitting live clubs filled with great bands almost every night, I was shocked to hear that these bands' fantastic albums were not seeing any radio airplay. I had a couple of friends in radio who I knew would love some of these bands' music. One day a massage client overheard my phone conversation, asking a DJ pal on the other coast if he liked the CD I sent, enough to play on his New Music show.
After the client was settled onto the table and I returned to the massage room following my phone call, she said "I heard you through the wall on the phone." I replied with, "yikes, please don't tell the doctor I called long distance on his dime," pre-deregulation era when landlines and long-distance calls were not so cheap. She continued, "You sounded like a record promoter. You sound just like my ex-husband, Roger Lifeset who's been a record promoter for over 25 years, he could really use someone like you in the office." I had just found how I would spend the other half of my day, outside the doctor's office, giving my wrist, elbow and shoulder their much needed rest. After working together a few months, I learned that Roger was the one who set up the
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Damn the Torpedoes LP giveaway back at Z-92 that sparked my imagination of what went on behind the scenes of that gold "for promotional use only stamp."
3. How did you get started at Windham Hill?
Musically, I was a pretty weird kid, even in high school, I was turning friends on to Andreas Vollenweider and various Windham Hill artists while at the same time digging Metal, Folk, and New Wave. I started working with Roger around 1990 when NAC was going through a transition and Triple A was just beginning. He had me calling most of the Non-Commercial and a handful of Commercial Triple A programmers while he focused on the programmers at Triple A, he already had relationships with -- while maintaining NAC as it eventually transitioned into Smooth Jazz. While many of the former NAC promoters switched horses to Triple A, Roger kept on keepin' on into Smooth Jazz. Windham Hill/High Street Records was one of our clients. In 1995 when BMG purchased the remaining 51% of the company, they moved offices from Palo Alto down to Beverly Hills and needed to staff up. Roger recommended me for a West Coast position in the promotion department to partner with Dave Morrell, who was already on board in the NYC office. I went through a few rounds of interviews with a handful of other candidates and thankfully, I landed the gig.
4. What was the first record you worked at Triple A Radio?
John Sebastian's album Tar Beach on Shanachie Records. I initially thought I would just intern with Roger then take the skills I learned to work the new music I was discovering in clubs in Hollywood to College Radio, but after getting #1 Most ADDed on my first campaign, Roger offered me a paid position.
5. Tell us about your stints at KCSN & KPFK radio.
Rene Engel, the GM of KCSN, back when they were Classical during the week and Americana on the weekends, stopped by my office in the BMG building to pick up CDs the station would use for premiums in the upcoming membership drive. While sitting in my office, he spotted a few of my autographed Jack Wild, H. R. Pufnstuf, etc. albums and Sid & Marty Krofft collectables -- then asked if I'd ever thought about hosting a kids' radio show. I immediately expressed fear of being on-air, on stage, etc. but that I would have fun producing a kids' show if he'd let me find the air talent. The night before our first show, my air talent told me he was "too busy" and couldn't do the show. He encouraged me to do the whole show myself, after all, I had already created the playlist and scripted his back announcing. Oy. I was completely freaked out but had no choice but to go it alone. Thankfully, KCSN engineer, Meishel Menachelanian (still an integral part of the KCSN staff, engineering and hosting his own show) was my rock and coached me through my start until I got my sea legs for radio. Thus "Kidsville" became a Saturday morning ritual for many a young listener and their parents who dug the show as well, because much of the music came from their own childhood Saturday morning favorites.
Eventually, Rene talked me into becoming Americana Director, facilitating music and playlists with the Americana hosts, helping with pledge drives, etc. Rene was excellent mentor, he was wonderful at recruiting team members who never thought they had time for things he knew they would enjoy. One day, Rene proclaims "Crystal Ann, 'Kidsville' is a big hit and I like that the station is able to present all the family events in LA, let's do a second kids' show on Sundays." I did not have time to devote to both my weekend mornings so Rene asked me to find and train another kids' show host for Sunday.
Shortly after our conversation, a fresh-faced CSUN student intern caught my attention. She was wearing a Power Puff Girls t-shirt as she cold called local businesses from the yellow pages, trying to convince them to purchase an underwriting package with the station. She had a good voice and was truly giving her all at this futile task. I engaged her in conversation, we chatted about music, animation, her era of pop culture, etc. She had a fun personality and seemed very capable so I asked, "Hey kid, you wanna do a radio show?" She said yes and that Sunday she started with a stack of kids' CDs, and she was wonderful, all worked out beautifully. We are still the best of friends, today.
One Friday afternoon I picked up the phone and to my surprise, KPFK Music Director, Betto Arcos asked if I could fill in over the weekend, 3:00-6:00 AM, late Saturday night, early Sunday morning. He apologized for the short notice, but he was really in a pickle, and I lived five minutes from the station. He asked if I could run down to the station that afternoon so he could show me how to run the board and promised I could play whatever I wanted, so I said, "sure" and the next week he asked if I could fill in again. Then he advised that they were getting great feedback about the show and asked if I'd like to take on the spot permanently and make it my own. "Lunar Tunes" was born. As a little girl living in the suburbs of the Midwest, I wanted to grow up to be Venus Flytrap from WKRP in Cincinnati. My parents bought me a small reel to reel tape player and I'd make my own airchecks with my babysitter "engineering." Weekend late nights at KPFK, I could play Earth Wind and Fire and Jack Wild any time I wanted, it was a dream come true!
6. You went to UCLA Extension for Music Supervision. Tell us about that part of your career experience.
When I was on the air, here in LA, I'd get the occasional phone call from a listener who worked on a show and said they loved what I was playing and would I consider helping them find music for their show. Sounded like fun, but I thought I should learn exactly what was involved with such a task. I looked to UCLA Extension as I had in the past whenever I felt I the desire to learn more about various aspects of the music business, starting with Music Marketing for the 90s, Tour Management, International Music Marketing, etc. The most valuable element I learned from twelve weeks of Music Supervision class… Music supervisors getting consistent work are very diplomatic and often come from large families. They know how to get their way without rocking the boat. I'm more of a bratty only child whose persistent personality is better suited for promotion.
7. Tell us how you, Meg and Rene came together as M:M Music.
We had all been working at other labels or for other promoters at the time. In 2006 Meg left her situation to form M:M Music. She told me her plan was to do things differently and I loved the idea. Meg had already won Record Label Promotion Person of the Year when she worked at Vanguard Records (Gavin) and went on to win Record Executive of the Year (R&R) her first year running M:M Music. She has always had a stellar reputation and she said there was no one else she would want to head up Non-Commercial/Americana promotion more than me.
I was thrilled with the opportunity because we had already been working together for several years. We both had so much respect for each other and shared such an appreciation and passion for this music and format. We also had a lot of fun together.
Meg had simultaneously been talking to Rene about doing commercial radio with her, eventually bringing her over from her then current situation. Later, Meg said she knew the company she wanted to create would include Rene and I before she ever made the move.
The thought of the three of us being a team.... I knew M:M Music was going to be a force and it turned out even better than I could've hoped!
8. What's the one project that got away? The artist is Gyasi, the album, "Pronounced Gyasi." Gyasi is a superstar, and the album is perfection. The song "Walk On" would be the first song from the album that I'd love to hear on the radio. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqeFhtSWJfE Very cool label but unfortunately, no budget to even service to radio. L
9. If you were to leave the music business today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
Something involving natural health. Ayurvedic Practitioner, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy... Just for kicks, a while back, I completed Integrative Nutrition training and became a Certified Health Coach which I now incorporate into everyday life and advise friends and family.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
Shambhavi Kriya yoga & meditation.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
Licensed Massage Therapist
First record ever purchased:
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone."
First concert:
Very first concert, I was only six, my dad took me to see Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. It was beautiful, the sound, the sparkly outfits and big hair, pure magic.
The first concert on my own was at thirteen with my best friend, Dawn, the band was Aerosmith. Our parents dropped us off and picked us up at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Aerosmith was a mess during those years, but it was amazing, I loved it and it changed my life forever. General admission, right up front, sweaty, crushing, messy, pure mayhem. No place for thirteen-year-old girls. Absolute Godhead.
Favorite band of all-time:
The Bugaloos
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Spending time with my man, Elliot Kendall and our two cats. We live in Culver City but spend much of our time in the South Bay, Manhattan Beach to Redondo. Elliot covered promotion in the catalog department of UMe/Universal for 12+ years and now manages publicity and promotion for heritage artists, rock documentaries and books, independently. When I'm away from my work, I enjoy going to see his artists, films and authors. To combat sitting at the laptop and phone all week, I enjoy hiking, tennis, and Pilates. I used to surf but currently, I enjoy daily yoga and meditation to get to that good place on the inside.
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