10 Questions with ... Nick Petropoulos

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Worked in Television directly following college. In the process, shared an elevator ride with Keith Hernandez, but ultimately decided to go back to school. After graduating St. Johns University, I worked at RED for close to four years. Now, I'm at Glassnote.

1. What got you interested in the record business?

As cliché as it sounds, two things: music and the realization I could never work a "normal" job.

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

I had three on preset, WUSB, KRock, and 1010 Wins. WUSB introduced me to some of my favorite bands (many obscure) and gave a great education on staple Punk and Indie bands. They also strongly supported local bands. I actually made my radio debut on the station with my band many moons ago. I decided to tell a joke on-air after performing a song, and the DJ felt the joke was heading in a bad direction and cut my mic! It was a CLEAN joke! I also listened to KRock for Stern religiously. As for 1010 Wins, I'm obsessed with 1010 -- something about it is soothing. It's art form. I'd love to work in News Radio or News in general one day. That environment must give you some serious chops...or a serious ulcer.

3. What led you to Glassnote Records?

While at RED we worked very closely with Glassnote on numerous projects, especially PHOENIX. At the end of 2009 I was offered the position of Head of Promotion. The rest is history.

4. What may surprise people the most about the label?

The amount of work that gets done by such a small staff.

5. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?

Building relationships. If a record promoter solely cares about airplay, you might as well become a Telemarketer.

6. Do you have a favorite market you like to visit and why?

Honestly, all of them. I'm addicted to the road. I've been known to drive 10+ hours at a clip. I LOVE visiting a city I've never been to before, or even coming back for the hundredth time. But if you're looking for good record stores, Austin, Portland, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle have the goods. I'm still in undecided between the best BBQ, though. Austin and Kansas City have some serious BBQ. Boston is always a blast. Philadelphia has the best comedy in the country, and it's actually in the Clear Channel building. I bet you didn't know that John Allers is the funniest man in showbiz, did you?

7. What is the toughest part of your job?

There's only 24 hours in a day.

8. What would surprise people most about you?

Although I'm a first generation Greek American, I do not speak the language fluently. This mostly surprises my parents. By "surprises" I mean disappoints.

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

Checking real-time tracking every two minutes?

10. If you were to leave the record business today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

I would do something in News Radio or News.

What are your hobbies?

Collecting records, reading, vintage record players, and playing guitar in a band (somehow I find time).

Last non-industry job?

Bartending.

First record ever purchased?

Nirvana "Bleach"

First concert?

The Meat Puppets.

Favorite band of all-time?

It's a toss up between Chuck Berry, Nirvana, and The Candysnatchers.....and about fifty others. This is an impossible question to answer.