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10 Questions with ... Grayson Long
December 11, 2006
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NAME:Grayson LongTITLE:Director of National PromotionsLABEL:Integrity Label GroupFORMATS:AC/INSP/CHRLOCATION:Mobile, AL
Brief Career Synopsis:
I started working for KBWS a Hot Country station in South Dakota in 1994, doing overnights and then eventually afternoon drive. I was there until 1996 when I went to KGIM/KQKD in Aberdeen, SD, where I continued to work at a Hot Country format. Then in 1997 I did mornings at Christian KCGN. In 1999, I went to WCIC/Peoria, IL, where I was the PD and morning show co-host. In April 2006, I was blessed to be able to come and work for the Integrity Label Group in Mobile, AL as Director of National Promotions.
1) What made you want to get into the music business? Who were your mentors?
Being in a traveling musical family, growing up with my brothers, it was a natural desire to be involved in music one way or another. My brother Greg [Long, member of vocal group Avalon] was a strong influence on me growing up as far as having an appreciation for music and the effect it can have on people.
2) What do you think is the most important topic facing the music business and radio right now?
There can always be a laundry list of things that could be used for "how to make it better" questions but one thing that might not seem to be an issue but is felt from the business side of things is department restructuring. I think consistency in leadership is a very powerful tool for those that work the label side of things. To have multiple changes in who you report to during the course of a short period of time seems to have a time consuming effect that can take you off your objective.
As far as radio there are things like finding/developing talent, looking for new revenue streams, relevancy to your audience so they will remain faithful to your station, keeping current with FCC guidelines just to name a few.
3) What's your current take on the music in general? Is it sounding better, worse or the same as one year ago?
I certainly don't think it's sounding worse than before. There is such a variety of artists and songs that the landscape has impacted the overall sound of music in a positive way.
4) Who has had the biggest impact on your life spiritually, personally and/or professionally?
Spiritually would be my father, personally would be my brothers and professionally would be Dave Brooks, station manager at WCIC
5) If you can imagine your life outside the music business, what would you be doing?
Involved in some sort of church ministry...or a toll booth operator.
6) What sets Integrity Label Group apart from the pack?
I have great respect for all of the labels that are servicing Christian music to radio. But Integrity has been since its inception a label that produces contemporary praise and worship music and resources for the church. With the success of praise and worship music on CCM charts it has been a great outlet for a label like Integrity. Most other labels have been CCM directed and have more recently developed praise and worship artists on their rosters.
7) Brag on your artists for a second. What exciting things are happening for some of them?
I'll try not to take up too much space here, although I certainly could! [Smile] Paul Baloche has broken ground in AC radio with a Top 10 hit, "Because of Your Love," this year; he is also featured during the Billy Graham Christmas Special that is airing. The special will air in over 140 markets in the U.S. and abroad on various networks including CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX. Paul's current project, A GREATER SONG, was recently named "Album of the Year" by leading worship resource site WorshipMusic.com. It also made Christian Music Today's "12 Favorite Worship Albums of 2006."
8) What are the most important tools you use to stay on top of the formats growth and daily changes?
I am a big peruser of industry publications both print and Internet formats. Also, just the day-to-day contacts via phone or e-mail with other industry people that have a passion for it.
9) Best advice for young music promoters?
I find this question to be somewhat amusing since I've been doing this for about eight months myself. But let me draw on my rich history and experience to those just coming into it! LOL! Seriously, I'm learning that you need to be as transparent with people as you can. Don't promise something that you can't deliver. If you can't do it, it's better to say no than hope it will somehow come together.
10) Has it always been your dream to live in Alabama?
Ummmm. Uhhh. I, uh. Can you repeat the question, please? [Smile]
Bonus Questions
1) What's in your CD player right now?
Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, Jonny Lang, Jared Anderson, Avalon
2 ) Do you have musical guilty pleasures?
I hope my mom doesn't see this but AC/DC, the "Black" album.
3) If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you, and why?
I will assume the word "things" mean I can't have people because I would take my family in that case. So, I guess I would take my Bible for spiritual stability, a lighter to start fires easily for food and a gun to help me get the food for the fire.
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