10 Questions with ... Jack & Sara Springer

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Jack: In the music business now 50 years. I had a music education degree in college, but that field went away due to budgets. I went to work at a record store then a Music Distributor (Progress Records) and started radio promotion in 1976 and have NEVER STOPPED since then.. Sara: Church choir, Troublemaker, Musician, College DJ (Kent State WKSR - a punk station that fired me for playing RUSH) and majored in Music and Psychology, make up artist, Esthetician, Joined TekniColour in 1995 (always promoting something), Karaoke Rock Goddess..

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

Jack: By default. My teaching degree went out the window -- music education because the school system shut it down. I went to work at a record store in Lakewood, Ohio (Melody Lane Records) for 4 years till moving to Progress Records and learning radio promotion (labels included: A&M, Motown, 20th Century Fox, Stiff, ABC and many more) and stayed here from the rest of the ‘70s into the early ‘80s before Motown ('82) and A&M ('76) were sold to major labels and consolidated.

Sara: One of our first dates Jack took me to see was Andreas Vollenvieder where he had a M&G and interview set up but no one in the band spoke English and I knew Jack needed help right then and there...lol Seriously, music has always been in my blood and early on I did his accounting and answered the phones. His work ethic and listening to him work inspired me and still does to this day. Jack is amazing to listen to -- he knows the charts numbers, data, the real story of the records he works.

2. Congrats on the 30th Anniversary of Teknicolour! Jack, I remember our landmark breakfast at Sears Fine Food at the Gavin Convention in San Francisco 30 years ago. What do you remember most from the early days?

Jack: All the extra curricular activities (forget just the pot - LOL), the expensive label promotions with stations, and conventions (Gavin in SF, specifically - boat trips, carriage rides, expensive dinners (bar tabs - WOW). They were a lot of fun. At SXSW we did a Teknicolour Hangover Breakfast every year for years and for a while at Los Manitas on Congress (gone a long time now). There were a lot of band guys, label/management/radio showing up every year for the Infamous Watermelon Juice. It cleared whatever hangover you had and the eggs were outta this world. I remember the one year Silva sent the Beasties bus over on their way to somewhere just for stop. It was great! Still was getting asked, until a few years ago, "Is it on this year?"

Sara: WOW! It was so different. So many amazing people passed thru those doors of Las Manitas to join us! The conventions were amazing, seeing The Cure in San Francisco, Spinal Tap, being on an early morning boat in San Diego after a late night, and Steve Leeds making barf sounds in my ear. I am a professional and I got through it! Any event that Robbie did at SXSW. I think we hold the record for the longest bar tab of Jaeger shots (Still sorry, Howie Miura) with Grand Theft Audio. Meeting Bowie, Brian Ferry, Chester. Doing Jewel’s make up, Ben Folds Halloween make up - hiding from Jared when he wanted kabuki face. Introducing Michael Hutchins (INXS) to a shy terrified fan and he proceeded to motorboat her chest. We worked hard then without all the technology, but there seemed to be more passion about the music because Alternative was so new. Technology is great but we can't ever lose the passion.

3. One of the ways you’re celebrating 30 years is by posting the Top 30 Songs Of 1991 on the Teknicolour Facebook page. Let’s link up the page. What was your favorite song/memory from 30 years ago?

Jack: First my Curb days (Mike Curb was AMAZING). Breaking Real Life "Send Me An Angel" in ‘89 (out of Germany). I think and label sold another 250,00 copies and going Top 10 again and then followed up by "If I Could Be God Tonight" in ’90, which went Top 5, Sara and I spent a weekend in San Diego with the Beat Farmers at the Bacanal recording their double Live Album with Sara and Country Dick telling bad jokes all weekend. And,Teknicolour=our first Gold Album with Sarah McLaughlin.

Sara: There have been so many great songs! The Divinyls "I Touch Myself" because it pushed boundaries and was just deliciously dirty. Also, School of Fish "3 Strange Days" (you are welcome for the earworm).

4. What else is Teknicolour doing to celebrate 30 years?

Jack: Still hunkering down (the basement office is fine these days) and trying to stay safe, getting lots of exercise and being ready for when we can get back on the road. And, getting ready to make it another 30!

Sara: We are jetting to Abu Dhabi to ride the fasted coaster in the world at Ferrari World at 149.1mph. Oh wait… how does the song go "Only In My Dreams." But until then we will keep celebrating new music, working hard to improve to be the best we can be (Oh, Shawn Alexander did what All Access & Richard Sands said this week in the Sand Report - cool!)

5. Tell us about The Tek Report and what a typical workday is for you.

Jack: Gonna leave this for Sara – Tek Report is ALL her’s now - but: it now goes to 3300 folks weekly with a 30+ open via Constant Contact in first 20 minutes after all these years (we have some folks open it 5-6 times a week.

Sara: Thanks Boss! It's not just days - it's nights, weekends - whatever it takes! I took it over in the early 2000's when each song was just a few lines and it was FAXED OUT - airplay, adds, tour dates and now there is so much more information and sources that I am constantly updating. Getting label updates, band’s social media sites - anywhere where bands visibility and activity can be accessed and shared. The Tek Report is a one stop shop for bands song download, social media links, video, streaming, TV appearances, sales, chart numbers, airplay, new adds and live streaming events -- there will be tour dates again soon! Info that's gives radio a reason to feel good about putting a song in.

6. How would you describe your promotion style?

Jack: Back in the day, Dave Sholin (Gavin Report from years ago) had schooled me and sent me a list of the Top 99 excuses programmers use. He told me to memorize it and I did -- never really had to use most of them -- it was just fun talking to folks. Favorite excuse: "I don't like the bass line he is playing throughout" (LOL). Still to this day -- as laid back as we can -- we try and be a family with so many wayward industry children scattered across the country…

Sara: I do the snatch, clean, and jerk. Wai, that's Rocky Horror! I work hard to provide current, concise information and be respectful of people’s time. So many people wear so many different hats their time is precious, so I give them what they need when they need it and try to inject as much fun into a call as I can. We strive to be a company people WANT to talk to! And we will ALWAYS return a call -- even if we know we have not met expectations and there will be repercussions we stand behind what we do and work to be better.

7. What is your favorite part of the job?

Jack: Just being in the business -- the music, the people, the connections, the shows, the friends you make (bands too) -- really all aspects.

Sara: Over the years it has always been watching a band grow from demo tape to playing an arena and being surrounded by an audience singing every word! Can I get an AMEN!!!

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

Jack: Probably as active as she and I both are - me for my age (and our 6 R's… roller coasters, NASCAR, and all)

Sara: That every shelf in my house has everything lined up and arranged labels out. If you've ever worked retail, you can relate -- and while Trent Reznor was waiting for Pretty Hate Machine to be released he was working in a recording studio in Cleveland and engineered a song for me "Metaljag" -- and we have a suit of armor in our living room. Our neighbors think we are nutz! lol

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

Jack: coffee (x-tra large) - Dunkin or SHEETZ

Sara: Exercise and laughter - both burn off stress and elevate the spirit so if you have any good memes send them my way!

10. Of all the things you’ve accomplished, what are you most proud of?

Jack: The fact that we are still here doing what we love (no end in sight) and Art Alexakis still calls me about why his chart numbers aren't better.

Sara: Being a woman in the industry whose opinion is respected. 30 years ago, there were fewer women in the business than there are now and some were expected to do anything to get an add – ANYTHING. It makes my heart so happy to see so many women in respected positions -- Brenda, Andrea, Jacqueline, Gaby, Lisa, Amber, Jen Z, Risa just to name a few, who hold their position not because they are a woman but because they are the right person for the job!

Favorite things to do on the weekend?

Jack: Amusement Parks -- almost every weekend in the summer/fall (Cedar Point in Sandusky) --can still ride the big guys and it is our stress relief. NASCAR races in whatever city is close to radio/concert/etc. “All 6 of our R’s” …

Sara: Be outside! I am definitely a "summer," sunshine, blue skies and minimal clothes! :-)

Favorite rollercoaster?

Jack:
1) Steel Vengeance – steel rollercoaster -- Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
2) The Beast (Kings Island) - wood rollercoaster -- Mason, Ohio.

Sara: Whatever coaster I happen to be on at the time! Though I have to say Steel Vengeance makes me giggle a lot - especially when I am riding with my 14-year-old ride warrior granddaughter!

Favorite restaurants?

Jack: Good Italian food - brown meat sauce
1) Pane Vino (LA)
2) Mateo's (Olmsted Falls, Ohio)

Sara: Anything NEW! I love experimenting and trying new and different things!

Poor Jack -- some of the dishes I have made for him during quarantine! lol

Favorite drink?

Jack: Tito’s and splash of cran

Sara: Ditto to Jack's fav (Thank you Austin, Texas!) Also, good wine, whiskey in the winter and Nut Liquor!!! Like food I like to experiment but too much of anything is no good and losing control is not cool.

First record ever purchased?

Jack: Everly Brothers (45) - Cathy's Clown

Sara: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

First concert?

Jack: Blue Cheer/Traffic/Yardbirds - yep all on one show (3,000 seater)

Sara: YES- Forgotten Yesterdays Tour (1978)

Favorite band of all-time?

Jack: Byrds/MOVE-ELO/Ghost/Foo Fighters (kinda by decades)

Sara: Rush. The lyrics told me stories that helped me get thru being a teenager and the musicianship still astounds me to this day!

Favorite new band over the past year?

Jack: Machine Gun Kelly

Sara: Machine Gun Kelly. We couldn't be prouder of this hometown boy successfully crossing multiple formats!

Anything else you would like to add?

Sara: You have to smile and have a laugh every day and listen to music that gives you "goosebumps" - life if just too short! xo