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10 Questions with ... Grant Hubbard
May 20, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. It's been a rollercoaster the last few months. Emotional ups and downs. Questioning the decisions made and asking myself if can I make this new venture work. Should I have done this? Was the timing correct? All questions I may ask for the next year, who knows? I miss working with so many people at Capitol and so many artists. That's the hard part
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1. Standard first question: Could you walk us through your career journey in the music industry from start to present?
In 1982, I was a Christian radio part time DJ during the weekends and fill-in for vacationing on-air guys at KDUV in Nederland TX. From 1986 to 1988, I built KKRE in Monument, CO.-the building and the station-from the ground up, then started as mid-day host, then eventually moved to Afternoon drive and Music Director. In 1988 to 1990, worked as PD and afternoon drive at KXRE. In 1990 I began radio promotion at Word Records, until 1997, when I took over as VP, National Promotion at Capitol CMG. On May 1st this year, I started Grant Hubbard LLC, a label services company.
2. Your departure from Capitol Christian was certainly an end of a tremendous era. What did it feel like to walk out of that building for the last time, no longer as an employee?
It was weird. Almost 22 years at one building working for one company, and then turning in my key and leaving-it was just a very weird feeling. I have so many great memories from 101 Winners Circle. We accomplished so many things for artists. It was just very surreal to leave and know I wouldn't be back to work there again.
3. Now that you've had some time to process this new career transition, what recurring thoughts and emotions stream through your mind most often?
It's been a rollercoaster the last few months. Emotional ups and downs. Questioning the decisions made and asking myself if can I make this new venture work. Should I have done this? Was the timing correct? All questions I may ask for the next year, who knows? I miss working with so many people at Capitol and so many artists. That's the hard part.
4. Was there a part of you that had been preparing for whatever might be the next step after your role at CCMG came to an end?
Oh sure, I think we all look at what's next. I spent the first ten years at Capitol wondering when they would fire me! I was not the greatest employee and made a lot of bad decisions on songs and how we should work those songs. So, the first ten years were spent trying to figure out if anyone would hire me when I got fired! That didn't happen and my boss at the time convinced me to stop thinking that way, which I eventually did. Over the past few years, my thoughts went to, "If I leave here, where will I go?" I think everyone does that: considers the future and tries to make the "what if" plans.
5. Surely there are a lot of questions when someone at your level leaves a job. What has been the most important thing you want people to understand about your departure?
Twenty-two years is a long time to work at a company, and it was time for me to make a change. The leadership at Capitol were awesome in walking through this process with me. I've talked to all the leaders at Capitol multiple times since leaving and have been getting advice from them. Good people. I couldn't ask for a smoother transition.
6. No doubt, you left a remarkable legacy and left a positive impact on a lot of lives in and out of that building. What do you personally hope that legacy looks like?
I hope they don't miss me. Don't get me wrong, I hope all my friends miss me and stay in touch. I mean, I hope the system we built continues to run smoothly and serve the artists well from a radio standpoint. It's not about me; simple as that. It's about serving artists and radio, and the team does that and buys in to the system we built. There's no reason it shouldn't continue. That will be my legacy in this business, I guess.
7. What are some memories of your time at CCMG that you'll hold most dearly?
Launches and wins. Keep in mind, I had the privilege of working so many big-time artists: Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Toby, Hillsong, Crowder and on and on. My favorite part of the business is launching an artist to radio, getting airplay, and watching the consumers respond. I'll hold onto those memories from several artists. Also, I've worked with some of the best people in this business. I stay in touch with people that worked for me in the 90s all the way to those I hired in the last couple of years. I'll hold those memories close and continue to build those friendships over the next chapter of my professional life.
8. So what does the next page in your career trajectory look like?
I launched Grant Hubbard, LLC in the past month. I have several clients who I'm working with as a consultant or promoter. I just don't know what else I'd do if it wasn't with radio and records in some way. I love the power of radio to engage with consumers. I love working with artists and helping them find the right song to make the biggest impact possible. Until I'm done, that's what I'll do-continue to work with labels and artists to get music in front of consumers.
9. This is quite a transition for you. What has been going through your mind as you've started walking this out?
So many things. Can I make this work? Can I feed my family? Can I be effective? Will people hire me? So far, it's all working. The future is bright today!
10. Outside of the work stuff, what's up ahead for you throughout the rest of 2019 that you're particularly most looking forward to?
My oldest child graduates from Union University this month. He got married in January, so welcoming in his wife as the first 'daughter' of our family has been great! My second-born launches his first album (yes, he wants to be a rock star) this year. My third-born is playing AAU basketball this summer, so we'll be traveling a lot with him. My fourth and youngest is 13 and already taller than me by an inch. He's about 6'5" and loves basketball too. Sports, music and next steps after graduation are all the things I'll be focused on this upcoming year outside of my day job!
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