10 Questions with ... Colleen Taylor

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Warner Bros/ Reprise Records -south, NW, Midwest and Atlanta; WEA National Sales-Mobile Content; Verizon Wireless Digital Marketing; Caroline with Mr. Lombardi and now Amplify.

1. How did you become interested in the record business?

It was the radio and the music. I grew up listening to WIXY1260/Windsor and WMMS/Cleveland. My mom had WIXY on all the time, tons of Motown and my older sister listened to WMMS. I loved listening to the WMMS. Kid Leo always had artists on the air in the afternoon, Ruby Cheeks was at the station-between the music, the jocks the artists interviews I loved it! I would take my sisters ID and sneak into the Agora Ballroom to see shows. I loved all of it, the music, radio, record stores; the entire culture. When I met some WB/WEA people at an event in Cleveland, I knew that I wanted to do what they did -- and that was it.

2. What stands out the most from your early years at Warner Bros. Records?

The culture at Warner Bros. felt like family; such a huge company but that feeling was everywhere. The artists were amazing; R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Janes Addiction, Flaming Lips, Kd Lang. We used to call the WB logo "the shield", and that Shield meant instant credibility. That Shield got Radio to return your call's because they knew the Warner Bros. brand meant you had something great for them.

3. What was your biggest take away from your four years at Caroline and what excited you about joining the AMPLIFY team?

From Caroline it was feeling very proud that I had a hand in helping to break The Kooks, Glass Animals, Judah And The Lion.

I like The whole development process of seeding, fertilizing, feeding and watch an artist grow, hearing their song on the radio; watching the streams/socials increase. I like to work with independent labels and artists and that's what Amplify does. I knew some of the staff at Amplify (BeBop Hobel and Patti Martin) so I knew I would be with good people.

4. Tell us about how you and Edie Lundeen work together with Alternative Radio.

With Drew Murray as our head of promotion; we first strategize as a team. Since I am on the East Coast, I pull the reports and get them out in the AM. I am also the data-queen; I scrub the DMA's for any sort of indicator that will help us grow our story at radio. With Edie on the West coast, she can meet with labels and management easily. Edie will call the West Coast stations and I will call on the East Coast stations and the Midwest we share. I joined the team with the launch of AWOLNATION's "Handyman" so that's been exciting working with Joe Guzik and the Red Bull team and we are setting up new tracks from Flagship and Teenage Wrist so Edie & I will be tag-teaming.

5. How would you describe your promotion style?

Hmmm, that's tough because each market and programmer have different needs and priorities. I would say my style is determined and reasonable; and am not the old school bullying and screaming promo rep. With the growth of music consumption and lifestyle branding, now more than ever the partnerships with radio can truly benefit and grow both our brands.

6. What is your favorite part of your job?

The Music, The Artists and the Amplify team

7. Where is your favorite market you like to visit and why?

So many markets but I since I lived in Texas and in the NW and in Chicago I would probably have to choose them.

8. I'm sure this time of year the answer to my next question, would be taking about The Gathering. However, let's eliminate that answer. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______ ?

Ha... coffee & fresh air

9. Now please share everything you can about The Gathering for the Alternative community. What does everyone need to know about The Gathering's 3rd Annual Music Showcase in Louisville on June 13-15, 2018?

This will be the best Gathering yet! We have some AMAZING artists playing this year and even a surprise or two (we may top the surprise U2 visit from last year). We have an unbelievable amount Or programmers who have registered early this year. So make sure to register now (http://www.thegatheringmusic.com/) and reach out to us if you have any questions.

10. What may surprise people the most to learn about you?

I am a total Walking Dead fan

What are weekends like for you?

I am the soccer mom driving to basketball games, dance lessons, tutoring, and then squeezing in hikes, yoga, and Sunday Family Dinner.

What are your hobbies?

Yoga and gardening

First record ever purchased?

Blondie

First concert?

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

Favorite band of all-time?

R.E.M.