10 Questions with ... Celeste Winstead

NAME:Celeste Winstead TITLE:Manager/Communications & Strategic Marketing COMPANY:Slanted Records/Spring Hill Music Group GENRES:Rock/Pop/Modern Rock/Worship/Country (yes, all of those) LOCATION:Nashville, TN BORN:Rocky Mount, NC RAISED:Eastern NC-couple of hours from the Atlantic Ocean and summer cruisin'

Brief Career Synopsis:

Well, working at an indie "boutique" label, I get to wear a lot of hats. The best way to explain what I do is that I DON'T sign artist contracts, record projects or arrange the publishing. [Smile] Everything else, at some level, comes through my office (so THAT's why it's always upside down?!?): retail marketing, consumer marketing, national account presentations, photo shoots, wardrobe styling, copyrighting, media relations, industry relations. You get the idea!

1) What made you want to get into the music business?

I grew up listening to Christian music, being active musically in my community and inspired by a musical family. During college, I traveled for a summer overseas as part of a Christian band and loved it. I loved the idea that music, something I loved so much, could be a vehicle for the Gospel message and wanted to check out the scene. So, I "packed up my car and drove out," got a city map, got the want ads and went for it! My first job evolved into multiple positions over a six-year tenure. Let's just say that my first week was spent mailing statements and assisting Margie Waggoner in customer service at New Day Christian Distributors, a company willing to take a chance on me.

2) What do you think is the most important topic facing the music business and radio right now? Why?

I think we need to remain cognizant of the consumer. People get up, shower, brush their teeth, go to work and tuck their children in at night. We HOPE they're enjoying music in the process. It's easy for us music lovers to think others' lives rotate around music as much as ours often do. I think as we listen to where consumers are and look at what's happening right in our own backyards, we'll see what people are searching for and how they are open to receiving it. That will allow us to grow as we write songs, produce and market albums and provide much needed hope and truth to a hurting world. I believe in the core of what we're doing and I think it's important for us to have something valuable to say and to not get stuck in one mold as to how we say it. It's important to "speak" in a language people are listening to.

3) What do you do to inspire yourself and your staff for success in the field on a daily basis?

Aside from my faith in Christ, I try to find things in life I'm passionate about, whether it's work or personal, musical or non-musical. I thrive on excitement, on "the latest," on new experiences, on being made to think. Hopefully, some of that intrigue finds its way to my desk and duties. As for the staff around me? [Smile] They'd probably say I inspire through comic relief! I try to be real. It may be good or bad, exciting or disappointing, exhilarating or deflating, but I try to be real and in the moment.

4) In a highly competitive music field, how do you position yourself and your label so that get your artists the shot they need?

If I knew how to do this, I'd write a bestseller and organize my own in-store. But since I don't, I think all artists are different, uniquely themselves. An important part of positioning is knowing who and what that particular artist is about, and that may be very different from other things in the marketplace at a given time. I think you get your arms around an artist, find what makes them special and find opportunities to expose that something special. There's certainly something to be said for persistence, and uninhibited belief is everything.

5) Are today's new bands getting a fair shot at radio? Are they being given the airplay they need to breakthrough to the masses and be recognized?

In a day of many new artists and competing entertainment forms, it is certainly difficult to "rise above" at Christian radio. As a label, of course, we always want more and wish radio would take more chances from time to time. Also complicating things is that different stations really do have different needs, preferences and formatting strategies. To combine them all to create national success can be a bit daunting.

However, I'd have to balance all of that by saying we have been treated well by many people in regard to our artists, and for that, we are grateful. I think radio stations have many things to think about and balance for their business models from where they sit as they try to run good businesses and ministries from their side of things. It's nice when our objectives and needs and theirs can meld together, but labels and stations sometimes have differing hurdles and goals.

6) What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the format's growth and daily changes?

Present company included, [smile] "Billboard Magazine" is always a staple for what's happening in the music industry as a whole, and word of mouth. There's nothing like ongoing relationships to keep me posted on the latest.

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

What I like best: the variety and spontaneity, never the same day twice with my duties or styles of music! I may be writing copy for a pop artist or making a sales presentation, I may be on the road or at a photo shoot, or I may be on the set of "Extreme Home Makeover" with The Oak Ridge Boys or working on details for DecembeRadio's next rock tour. I love being in the middle of it all. What I like the least: the variety. [Smile] It's hard to give 100 percent all the time when you wear a lot of hats.

8) Who has had the biggest impact on these facets of your life: personal, professional and spiritual?

Personally, Deborah Evans Price, writer extraordinaire. Her daily life is a constant light, and she gives and gives and gives to literally everyone around her more than anyone I've ever known. Her zeal for life is astounding. Spending a few days with her will change you from the inside out. Professionally, I'd say Norman Holland, VP of Daywind Music Group. Early on he was a supporter and encourager who believed in me and has always helped propel me forward. In addition, I've seen in him how to treat people and how to keep life outside of work a priority. There are many ways to consider my spiritual influences, but I'll go back to a Bible teacher I had years ago named Judy Hamrick. My life has changed over the years, but the foundational, God-fearing principles she taught me are a firm foundation to this day, and the prayers she has prayed for me have surely given me more favor than I deserve.

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

I'd love to be an entertainment show host. Imagine that! I'd actually get outside of my shell for once!

10) How long have you lived in Nashville and what makes it home to you?

I've lived here for 12 1/2 years. I grew up in the South, so the sweet potato casseroles, down-home charms and farms outside the city feel like a part of me. I also think home is about a sense of belonging, and the people here and the friends who surround me are big parts of what make me feel like I have a place here. I love a big city vibe: the skylines, the activity, the diversity that's here, but enjoying it alongside some good ol' folks makes it all the more home to me.

1) What are you reading right now?

I'm always attempting to read a book but I rarely finish it! I've started Max Lucado's "He Still Moves Stones" (an oldie but goodie) as well as "The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons From a Life in Coaching" by the great Dean Smith (Go, Tar Heels!). I do love a good dose of "In Style" magazine from time to time.

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

The After Edmund pre-release (I know, I'm shameless!), Bon Jovi's "Have a Nice Day," The Beatles' "One" (because I should know their music better than I do), the debut from Daughtry, Eva Cassidy's "Live at Blues Alley" and one of my Michael Buble CDs (I've worn them all out).

3) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?

Yes, and that would be 1) the CD I didn't mention above, which is a yet-to-be-released Madonna collection that I just received from a reporter friend, and 2) my radio dial, on its own, hitting '80s programming or dance tunes.

4) Describe your favorite meal:

Hmmm, well, I'm all about restaurants, so many different types of foods, only one life during which to eat them. Well, my most frequented (which must make it my favorite by someone's standard) would be the side of fresh fruit with granola and crème fraiche sauce at Nashville's Bread & Company, a place that you might call my "Cheers." I'm also all about the gourmet scene and chefs' creations, especially a fresh catch of the day entrée, and it's all about enjoying it with others, taking our time and laughing often and much.

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

A really great iPod, Lindt Chocolates and a journal with pen.

6) Favorite TV program of all-time:

All-time? Wow, OK, here are two: "I Love Lucy" and "24" (Can we say apples and oranges!?)