10 Questions with ... Paul LaRue

NAME:Paul LaRue TITLE:President COMPANY:Just In Time Digital LOCATION:Franklin, TN BORN:Fleminton, NJ RAISED:Lompoc, CA

Brief Career Synopsis:

I began my career at Nest Entertainment, selling animated family videos and managing a national sales force. I also spent several years in artist management, helping guide the career of my children, Phillip and Natalie, formerly the Christian music duo LaRue. Mostly recently though I launched Just Me! Music in 2003, introducing the creation and sales of personalized VeggieTales CDs via mall carts and kiosks around the country. The product base has grown to encompass personalized CDs from Barney, The Wiggles, Elmo and multiple Walt Disney titles. Mostly recently we created the isMOD system and formed Just-In-Time Digital, a rapidly-growing leader in retail technology based in Franklin, TN.

1) What made you want to get into the music business and who were your early mentors?

My two oldest children started singing together for a home school project. Within a short time, Reunion Records had pursued them, and voila! The band LaRue was born!

I've always looked up to my father-in-law, Verne Nesbitt. He has always pointed the way to Christ for me; he is an amazing Bible scholar. Another mentor would be Keith Green. Even though he was rough around the edges, his heart was 100 percent sold out to Christ. Keith's music changed my life and is still ministering to me as freshly as the first day I heard it.

2) What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the formats growth and daily changes?

Microsoft Outlook of course is #1. Google "alerts" as well. I put the same importance on this tool. Whatever project I'm working on, I type in any word or phrase that would have anything to do with that project and it will send me everything that is being said-either blogs or on the web, that has any connection to that word or phrase. There's no tool like it. If you're not using it, you should be. It can send you the info in real time or once a day or week.

3) What's the most exciting project you're working on right now?

Creating an opportunity for retailers to manufacture CDs on demand-to have everything in stock 100 percent of the time. It's consuming me. It's the next huge growth area for the traditional retailer.

4) What are some of the biggest changes you would like to see happen in the music industry?

My heart is in the answer above. We have to create a destination for shoppers in the retail setting that gives them all the benefits online shopping has.

5) What do you like best about your job? What do you like the least?

I get to sit around with my staff and think of "crazy" ways we can become a solution for our industry! It makes you sing in the shower, even though no one wants to listen.

The least? Turning away opportunity. We have so many projects going now that we have to prioritize and sometimes turn great opportunities down.

6) Who has had the biggest impact on these facets of your life?

Personally, my wife, professionally, Ed Silvoso, and spiritually, my father-in-law, Verne Nesbitt, because all of them truly do everything "as unto the Lord." This is the key.

7) What's your current take on the current sound of Christian music?

I think it's getting progressively better, and it sounds better than it did six months to a year ago. I think the future is incredibly bright. Artists who would normally not be able to officially "record" music are now creating masterpieces in their spare rooms!

8) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would it be?

The "curator" of the Island of Kauai

9) What is the most precious memory of your life so far?

The day I accepted Christ. Wow! What a Savior!

10) What are Natalie and Phillip (formerly the band LaRue) up to nowadays?

Natalie and her husband Rob just had our second grandchild. Both Noah (2 years old) and Ella (6 months) are amazing! Rob and Natalie lead a youth ministry in Southern California, and she is being pursued to record a solo project. My vote is yes! There's nothing like Natalie's voice. Phillip and his wife Lia live in West Palm Beach, FL. He is the worship leader for the Journey Church. He is also being pursued on a solo career. They are both amazing people as well as amazing talents. It's humbling to be their dad!

1) What's in your CD player right now?

My son Phillip's new songs, not released yet. It's incredible!

2) What's your favorite quote?

"Man will go to war for gold, but die for a ribbon" (Anonymous)

3) What are you reading, anything?

Tons of books, Bill Johnson, "When Heaven Invades Earth," David Green (founder of Hobby Lobby), "More Than a Hobby," Dutch Sheets, "Roll Away Your Stone," Andy Stanley, "Visioneering"

4) Any musical guilty pleasures?

Nothing like Sting!

5) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?

The Word, my wife, a restaurant