10 Questions with ... Heather Luke

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KJEE/Santa Barbara PD, Zoo Records Regional, V2 Records Regional, Warner Bros. Records SVP/Promotion, and SVP/Head Of Promotion Big Machine John Varvatos Records

1. How did you first become interested in the music business?

I got my start in the music industry upon taking a part-time gig to help build a new "Modern Rock" radio station (KJEE) launching in my college town, Santa Barbara, CA. We started the station using the music collection I accumulated while working another gig at a local student music store.

2. What was your biggest takeaway from 17 years at Warner Bros. Records?

Warner Bros. Records will always hold a special place in my heart, as will all the people I worked with there who became my extended family. In my 17 years with the company, I developed a wealth of experience across many departments including Radio Promotion, Marketing, Streaming, and A&R. It's an experience that helped shape who I am today, both professionally and personally, and one for which I'm so grateful. It allowed me to build an amazing roster, launch careers, and establish friendships with artists, managers, and executives that will last a lifetime.

3. What led you to Big Machine Label Group as SVP/Promotion in April 2018 to build the company's non-Country roster?

Big Machine/John Varvatos Records is all about pushing boundaries, in the Rock genre and the surrounding culture. This venture is the ideal blend of passion and talent; Scott Borchetta and John Varvatos both grew up loving Rock and are wholly dedicated to artist and brand development. Their vision became the perfect home for someone with my background and skillset. I had previously worked with CMO Mike Rittberg and A&R SVP Julian Raymond at Warner, so it felt like the family was coming back together.

4. You already have a No. 1 song with Badflower "Ghost" at Rock Radio and one of the biggest Rock songs to crossover to Alternative Radio in 2018. Why have you been having so much success with Badflower at Alternative Radio?

Badflower is an incredibly special band. They blur the lines of radio formats while penning powerful songs with thought-provoking, emotional, and honest lyrics. "Ghost" has resonated successfully due to both the music and the message behind it. The song confronts a very difficult topic and makes you think, feel, and talk about an epidemic that is far too often swept under the rug. So much positivity has surrounded "Ghost" - it's brought people together in such a meaningful and important way.

5. You must be psyched to be working with Mike Rittberg again. Give us the 411 on Big Machine's joint venture with John Varvatos and tell us about what's on tap for Alternative Radio in 2019?

Mike and I worked together at Warner Bros. Records for 12 years. Reuniting feels like turning back the clock - our dynamic hasn't changed a bit. We trust one another and our ability to get things done. The story behind Scott and John joining forces is theirs to tell, but I think our success with Badflower goes to show what we can accomplish together and is a surefire sign of amazing things to come in the years ahead. We've been hard at work creating our 2019 roster and it will not disappoint. Among the great things we have planned, you can expect to hear and see more from Badflower - their album "OK, I'M SICK" will be out February 22nd. Friday Pilots Club, a two-piece act from Chicago, is on deck for their first single in February. Pretty Vicious will make their debut tour in the U.S. with a new single launch in the spring. The music we have set to release is fresh and exciting -- I can't wait for everyone to hear it.

6. How would you describe your promotion style?

I began my career in Alternative Radio. While so much has changed over the years, I have a deep understanding of the many responsibilities and countless hats that programmers wear. Building partnerships among the station, label, and artist is essential. I believe in respect, honesty, and teamwork. It's important that we share and utilize the massive breadth of metrics that we have at our fingertips today to help understand our audience. Together, we can all win and (hopefully) have fun along the way.

7. What is your favorite part of your job?

That's an easy one: Discovering new music that I love and sharing it with the world.

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

I can't make it through the day without a good laugh and checking real-time.

9. How tough was it for you to move from Los Angeles to Nashville?

Moving to Music City was exhilarating. There is so much happening here in Nashville and I'm excited to be a part of its growth. I can't say it wasn't difficult to leave family and friends having spent all my years in California, but since so many Angelinos now work on Music Row it makes the transition that much easier.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I studied pre-med in college -- my original aspiration in life was to become an orthodontist.

What are your hobbies?

I love to snowboard, wakeboard, hike and eat.

First record ever purchased?

First record every purchased was Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.'

First concert?

First concert was Huey Lewis and the News.