10 Questions with ... Christine Chiappetta

NAME:Christine Chiappetta TITLE:VP/Modern Rock RECORD COMPANY:Island Def Jam Music Group BORN:Chicago, Illinois RAISED:Mesa, Arizona

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Last five years at Island Records (2002 - present); Columbia Records, Senior Director Modern Rock (1999-2001); Mercury Records, National Director Modern Rock (1996-1999)

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Customer Service at the Arizona Republic, Circulation Department

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

Wow that was so long ago. I do remember buying "Double Fantasy" by John Lennon around 1980.

FIRST CONCERT:

Journey and Bryan Adams

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Depeche Mode

1. What got you interested in the record business?

While at Arizona State University, studying Broadcast Journalism, I had a class called Broadcast Sales and Promotion and there was no text book; only guest speakers from all areas in media. The Reprise local at the time, Katie Siedel, came and spoke to our class about Radio Promotion. I walked up to her after class and asked her a million questions. I knew at that point that is what I wanted to do.

2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

KUKQ-AM alt station until KEDJ signed on.

3. What do you like best about your job? Least?

Best: that I get paid to talk about music, go to shows, and travel.

Least: arguing with friends and colleagues about music, going to shows, and traveling. It's a catch 22!

4. What was the first record you worked to radio and what has been the biggest change since you first began doing radio promotion?

We had so many records at Mercury I can't remember my very first. That one that I remember most was the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It was easy to get adds in Boston at least. But seriously, it went from talking about the band in Clueless to a #1 record at Modern Rock. It was exciting to see how this whole promo thing actually worked. I guess the biggest change is fairly obvious; there are fewer stations at the format today than when I started in 1996 so every Tuesday it's tougher and tougher to have a "good week."

5. Of all the things you have done at Island Records, what are you most proud of?

The easy answer would be watching bands like the Killers and Fall Out Boy explode in the past two years but they were NOT easy at radio by any means. But I really like working with baby bands, whether they've completely "broken" or not; I'm proud that I can make any artist that I work with feel they are the most important thing on the label.

6. Every promotion person has a record close to their heart that for one reason or another never broke through -- "The One That Got Away." What is your "One That Got Away," and what did you learn from that record?

Oh man, there are WAY too many. I'm passionate about a lot of things I've worked over the past 12 years. I guess there are really two that stick out from my Island years: The Bravery "Honest Mistake" did fairly well (we got it to #11) but every time I hear that song I think, "This song should have been HUGE!" The other is a song from Sum 41's last album, Chuck, called "Pieces." It's a ballad and I still go back and listen to it at least once a week on my iPod. I'm telling you, it should have been as big as "Hey There Delilah", go back and listen to it. It's a smash. But what did I learn? That timing is everything.

7. What would surprise people most about you?

Most people that know me know I'm one of those "dog people" so I would say that I'm always coming up with inventions or ideas for a book I plan to write someday. My brain rarely turns off.

8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________?

Diet Coke and gumballs.

9. What music do you listen to when you're not working?

I'm usually still listening to the radio, mostly, but I secretly love Jack FM in LA the most.

10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Either a kindergarten teacher or something involving animals.

What are your hobbies?

My dogs are my life. I volunteer and serve on the Board of Directors for an Animal Rescue in Los Angeles called, Pugs N Pals. Most of my free time is spent with dogs! : )