10 Questions with ... JoJamie Hahr

NAME:JoJamie Hahr TITLE:Southeast Director of Promotion and Marketing LABEL:The Valory Music Co. BORN:Inverness, FL RAISED:Inverness, FL

1) You started in radio at a very young age- how did you manage that and why- did you grow up loving radio?

I grew up loving country music - always have, always will! I was walking the School of Communication halls at UCF, and I noticed a flyer with "K92FM Needs Interns," going on to explain that a guy named Mike Moore was looking for "country music lovers" to work in promotions at the best radio station in town. I thought to myself "I love country music, this would be awesome!" I got the internship and ended up loving the business, I knew it's exactly what I wanted to do.

2) After you left WWKA (K-92)/Orlando you took a job for Mike Moore here in Nashville at WSIX (the Big 98) - what was it like for you living in Nashville and doing radio at such a young age?

I fell in love with Nashville, instantly! Working for Mike Moore again was like a dream for me - he's my hero! Being a promotion director in such a competitive market was a tough job, but it taught me a lot and has helped me tremendously as a record rep.

3) How and why did you transfer over to the records side?

I started putting myself in front of people like Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, David Haley, Jon Loba, and Renee Leymon - I was extremely passionate about wanting to do the record thing, and I started emailing every VP of Promotion in town every Friday with a new idea that I thought might work on the record side. Jimmy Harnen was the first to tell me "put yourself in the shoes of a record rep, start thinking like one, and make your ideas known." When Scott and Royce hired me as the MCA promotion coordinator, all those VPs were wondering where their weekly ideas went!

4) What part of the job was the biggest surprise when you started working at a label?

The biggest surprise for me was how cut throat this business can be. I knew it was intense, but wow - there are days you don't know which way is up! I just try to keep a level head and a positive attitude and try to remember that we're not doing brain surgery.

5) So how excited are you to be working the Jewel hit at Valory?

More excited than I can even put into words - she has been so well received, and country radio has opened their arms to her. It's very cool to introduce her to our radio family and to the greatest format in the world.

6) Anytime we run into anyone on the staff at Valory they seem so genuinely excited to just shy of giddy- tell us about the team, and why the hell you guys are so blessed happy- did you not get the memo that there's a stationary dark cloud over the music industry?

Ha! It's hard not to brag on us "Valories," as Scott calls us. We have SO much to be giddy about! Not only are we working a multi-platinum selling artist in Jewel with steady success, we have a MOST ADDED debut song with Jimmy Wayne from The Valory Music Co.! I couldn't have hand picked a better group of people to surround myself with, I learn what it is to be a stellar promotion person from these folks every day.

7) Big Machine was very, very successful right out of the chute and now we have Valory starting out with the same impact- is there a competitive spirit between the two labels? Do you and Jack Purcell shove each other in the cloak room?

Yes, in fact Jack shoved me so hard yesterday when I got a Jimmy Wayne add, I have a bruise on my shoulder. No, seriously - we really are one big happy family. Scott preaches it every day. Even going back to the conference room of UMG, I'll never forget having this little song called "Baby Girl", and Scott said to all of us "we will break Sugarland together - all bets are off, I don't care if you work for Mercury or MCA or Dreamworks, I don't care if you're a regional or the receptionist - we WILL make this happen." Obviously, that spirit has taken us all very far. I'm proud to be part of that.

8) What kinds of exciting things are happening at Valory this year?

Two words. Justin Moore. When I decided to come to The Valory Music Co. after hearing this guy, I knew it was the right decision. Justin Moore is the kind of artist that puts reasoning into what I do every day - can you tell how excited I am? Without even a single at radio yet, he's sold over 10,000 downloads on iTunes with "I Could Kick Your Ass" and has been on tour with Trace Adkins. He hits the road again this month with Hank Jr. and The Rowdy Friends Tour. By the time country radio catches up to Justin Moore, they'll be exposed to what over a hundred thousand people have already experienced within a short amount of time - live concerts, digital downloads, myspace hits, dance club music, and so much more.

9) What would be your fantasy job outside of the industry?

I would love to be a high school English teacher, and coach cheerleading. It's simple, yes, and a complete 180 - but I ADORE kids, and high school was one of the best times of my life!

10) What was the strangest request that you ever received from a radio guy- one that's clean enough to type.

Clean? Have you met the guys in my region?

1) What Hollywood star would you want to play you in the JoJamie Hahr Story?

Probably Reese Witherspoon, I think she's awesome and very classy. I hope that I portray that same class and grace in my everyday life.

2) Favorite junk food?

I don't really have a favorite junk food, I try to eat pretty healthy. But - I have an INSANE, creepy addiction to peanut butter. I can't even keep a jar in my house, or I'll eat the whole thing in one sitting!

3) Give us 3 songs outside of the format that you're currently rockin to on your iPod?

Old school - Aerosmith, Def Leppard, and Warren G-great workout tunes!

4) Are you afraid to be alone with Chris Loss?

Deathly. Have him tell you the story about driving down winding roads in Asheville, NC on a cold December's night. Not pretty.