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10 Questions with ... Tammy Ragusa
April 10, 2006
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NAME:Tammy RagusaTITLE:Contemporary Christian EditorCOMPANY:All AccessFORMATS:ChristianLOCATION:Nashville, TNBORN:Durham, NCRAISED:Durham, NC
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I'm a late bloomer! I came to Nashville at the tender age of 32 to pursue a career in the music industry and started by educating myself at Belmont University. I got REALLY lucky and landed my first internship at Arista Records in the publicity department. I was hooked! I worked under the greatest leaders and with the best artists in country music. I also had the good fortune of working with an incredible crew and artist roster at RCA and then at Capitol Records. To quote Martina, "I have been blessed."
1) Can you tell us why you first got into the music industry?
I just really enjoy music and wanted to incorporate that into a viable career. My first ambition was to go into radio broadcasting, but when I determined that I could get in on more of the creative side I enrolled at Belmont and was fortunate enough to land an internship at Arista Records during my second semester that parlayed into a job in the publicity department.
2) When you were a little kid, what did you think that you'd be when you grew up?
Hmmm...that was a long time ago, but either a nurse or a writer.
3) What is the most exciting thing about the Contemporary Christian format right now, in your opinion.
It's all exciting right now! The CCM format incorporates so many sub-genres including hip hop...the diversity is incredible. It lacks that pigeon-holing that you see in other non-mainstream genres like Country.
4) What was the very first Contemporary Christian act that you really liked?
Amy Grant of course! She put the contemporary in Christian music as far as I'm concerned. She made music that related to a market of young people who were aching to find a connector between their faith and their social culture.
5) Who are some of your favorite acts right now - Christian acts?
I remain a fan of Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman...add in BarlowGirl, Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Chris Tomlin, Nate Sallie...the format is just overflowing with incredible acts.
Other formats? LOVE Marc Broussard, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce', Rob Thomas, Dierks Bentley, Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand, Lee Roy Parnell. There are some really great new acts coming out in Country right now - Eric Church has a smokin' hit on his hands and Universal South just signed a new act, Alvarado Road Show that everyone needs to be watching for!
6) In your role with All Access will you be calling radio stations and if someone wants to start giving you their Hot Picks for the site, can they contact you?
I will be making some calls to radio to keep generating that great content, but by all means no one should ever to hesitate to call me!
7) What drew you to the job at ALL ACCESS?
It was a combo of the writing and the opportunity to be with some really great people who are optimistic about the future of the industry and work to keep it moving forward!
8) How long have you lived in Music City?
Twelve years I think!
9) You run your own publicity company also, can you tell us a little bit about that?
It's great!!! I get to work with some awesome folks both in and out of the music industry and it has allowed me to stretch out a bit. I work with a country-oriented comedian (Wix Wichmann), a live production show (elle Revue)...I've worked with some of the Titan's players, some non-profits AND industry exec, Jeff Lysyczyn and I have developed a 2-day seminar - Country Star University - to educate aspiring country artists on the business end of being in "the biz."
10) When you talk to people that are not Christians, can you freely talk about God without feeling uncomfortable?
Sure, but I never force my faith into a conversation - that was a turn-off to me when I was a young Christian. I try to walk the walk and let the talk grow organically.
Bonus Questions
1) Favorite meal?
Mmmmm...I'll start with a shrimp cocktail from St. Elmo's in Indy, a little Hearts of Palm salad from The Palm, a steak that my brother cooked...and I'm full.
2 ) What CD is in your car right now?
HAHAHAHA!!! Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits!
3) Hollywood crush?
I may be too old to crush, but intellect and a sense of humor are what I find appealing...and George Clooney seems to take those two elements and tie them up into quite an attractive package.
4) Favorite scripture?
THIS week it's Psalm 46:10 -- "Be still and know that I am God."
5) Favorite quote?
I love words so this is a toughy, but along those lines one of my favorite quotes would have to be: "I may not agree with everything you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." -- Voltaire.
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