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10 Questions with ... Jerry Rubino
August 31, 2010
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Radio: Sirius/XM Radio, WCHR, WLIR, Z100, WHTG, WPLJ, and WFDU
Record Labels: Radioactive, Chrysalis, Rough Trade, and Bar/None.
Promotion & trades: Pellegrino Promotions/B.L.A.S.T. and CMJ.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I started listening to the radio in 1964, and besides discovering music, I became interested in the on-air personalities, or should I say the "disc-jockeys." During the years I spent listening to WNEW, WLIR, and various college radio stations throughout the '70s and '80s, there were many personalities and programmers that influenced me to get involved with radio. Plus, free albums/CD's and concert tickets got me VERY interested!
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
770 WABC. The diversity in the music that got played on Top 40 in the '60s and '70s was unbelievable! The jocks were hands-down, the best team of on-air talent I EVER heard.
3. What led you to the CBS Interactive Group & Last.fm Discover?
The opportunity to be involved with a music intensive group and to be in the CBS family is a big bonus.
4. Give us a description of what Last.fm Discover offers?
It's one of the best places to get exposed to new music. Live studio sessions play a big part in the exposure of artists. Our on-air hosts present Last.fm Recommends, Last.fm Shouts, and the Artist Of The Week.
5. What do Alternative folks need to know about the Last.fm Discover station?
Our website hub plays a major role in exposing artists and presenting the artists and the music on the station. Plus, we distribute our content on other CBS radio websites. Look for on-air exposure at key stations in the future as well.
6. What would surprise people the most about Last.fm Discover?
What might surprise many people is the fact that on Last.fm Discover you'll hear so much good new music, that's not getting exposed anywhere else yet. Some examples include: The Drums, Chief, The Postelles, Crystal Castles, Wavves, 22-20s, We Are Scientists, Blitzen Trapper, Two Door Cinema Club, and Rooney.
7. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
Best: Interviewing artists
Least: Too much to do, not enough days in the week.
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
My drive to get things done has always remained strong.
9. What are you most passionate about?
Listening to music!
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today what would you do?
Sports stadium/arena public address announcer.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Collecting Topps Baseball Cards, Softball, Record and CD collecting.
Last non-industry job?
Delivering food for The Ideal Bar & Grill for a few years, during college in the late '70s/early '80s.
First record ever purchased?
Petula Clark "Downtown" (March 1965)
First concert?
Queen/The Cate Brothers - Beacon Theatre, NYC Feb. 6, 1976
Favorite band of all-time?
The Beatles, U2, and Led Zeppelin (3-way tie).