10 Questions with ... David Friedman

NAME:David Friedman TITLE:Director/National Promotion LABEL:Columbia Nashville BORN:February 8 in Harrisburg, PA RAISED:Mechanicsburg, PA

1) As a kid, what did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?

Music has always been the center of my universe. I've been a Beatle fan since age 3 and learned how to play music by listening to their records. At Emory University in Atlanta, I became more involved in student government and politics and thought about law school, but I rediscovered my love for music while studying abroad in England. I actually "busked" on the streets in Oxford. That was my epiphany. From that point on, I knew that I would work with music one way or another.

2) So, Jessica Simpson- great song- how did that happen and how is the response so far?

I remember hearing the rumbling around the building about first of the year. Our Columbia team literally exploded when we heard "Come On Over" at our staff meetings in early May. The regionals couldn't get their hands on it fast enough. Response has been excellent. The song is instantaneous. Several programmers have said they didn't want to like, but love it. And after just 5 full business days at radio, Jessica is Top 5 most added and set a BDS-era record for country chart position. Jessica is committed to making great country music. She's both singer AND songwriter. And she grew up the daughter of a Baptist minister in Texas, so country is in her blood.

3) Who mentored you on how to be a record promoter and how much of that has changed now since you first started.

George Collier at Intersound taught me "the business of selling music." He gave me an appreciation for all facets, especially the dollars and cents, which I believe made me a more, well-rounded promo guy. Eddie Mascolo was the first promotion vet to take me under their wing and introduce me to radio. And the magic of Bobby Kraig really taught me how to be comfortable in my own skin. His passion, compassion and sense of humor still have a profound effect on me. The lessons I've learned then have not gone out of style even though our business has rapidly changed. Joe Galante has always said, "This is your company. This is your checkbook. How would you handle this at home?" Making it personal hasn't changed, and that helps you weather the storms.

4) You were with Arista a long time, what was it like leaving a group of artists that you were very familiar with and changing teams?

Arista was family. Over 7 years, I literally grew up with Brad Paisley, Phil Vassar and Keith Anderson. But the opportunity to join Columbia in a leadership position and join a hungry staff was equally exciting. I remember hearing Miranda Lambert's "Crazy Ex Girlfriend" album in meetings while still at Arista and freaking out over how great it was. I didn't realize that less than a month later I'd be at Big Red and working with her, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, and, in a twist of fate, my friend Keith Anderson.

5) Your wife (and better half), the lovely Amy Paige, is an air personality, having worked in NY, Washington DC and now XM- do you guys discuss the media non-stop or are you able to shut it down- and what do you kids do for fun?

At home, we discuss our day, but we definitely shut down. She is not only an excellent air personality (didn't she beat you on Long Island, Jim?), but also my constant companion, an excellent mother and very grounded. She forces me to "put the Treo away," and I'm always thankful.

For fun, its anything with our 2 1/2 year old Teddy. One of our favorite activities is "family band," where we each grab an instrument and play some combination of drums, keyboards, guitar and bass, all of which we have in our basement. Teddy has great rhythm and loves to sing as well. He can sing verse and chorus of the Hollies' "Carrie-Anne."

6) Do you read Mediabase numbers to little Teddy before he goes to sleep? No really, working with Rector all day has to be good practice for playing with the kid when you get home right?

We're skipping the numbers and teaching Teddy how to ask for the add at the moment. Seriously, working with Jimmy is awesome. We've been friends for so many years that it doesn't feel like work. Sure there are stressful days, but Jimmy keeps it focused-but-fun. I've been very impressed with the way Jimmy handles the stress of the job and how he doesn't let it run down hill. I also really identify with his value systems; he always knows the right thing to do, even when the decision can be very difficult. It follows his saying "take care of the music and it will take care of you!" And usually its Jimmy telling me to "go home and be with your family."

7) You lived in the D.C./Baltimore area a very long time- how are you enjoying Music City so far? And where is the first place you take relatives and friends when they come in for a visit?

We love Nashville. DC was fun, but it was really a stopgap for us between New York and Nashville. From the part of town where we reside to our social life in and out of the business, we're enjoying every minute here. My favorite Nashville restaurant is South Street, hands down. The place looks like a bait shack and everyone from bikers to suits are represented. But the Po Boys, Burgers, Oysters and Barbecue are excellent!

8) What songs/artists at Columbia have you fired up right now?

All of them, and that's no joke! Miranda, Keith and Montgomery Gentry have the 3 fastest growing singles of their career. Miranda's ACM win for Album of the Year is a fantastic recognition of her strong talents as a singer/songwriter. And now Jessica has radio and listeners buzzing. We're calling them Columbia's Fantastic Four. It is really a special time for the label.

9) Name a song or two that should have made it and broke your heart when they didn't?

Van Zant's "That Scares Me," hands down. Johnny and Donnie are two of the nicest guys in the business and gave us what should've been a Top 5 record. It is my humble opinion that country radio missed big by not playing that song. It was a case where it wasn't about the music and that was sad.

10) Name a dream gig outside of the business that you would love to have, other than John McCain's campaign manager.

PUH-LEASE! Actually, I'd love to play drums in one of those Beatle tribute bands with the suits and the Beatle wigs. Or open a deli with all sorts of crazy sandwiches named after deceased entertainers. Or possibly owning and operating a B&B in a beautiful, seaside town. Or travel around the country and write a book about diners and diner culture.

1) Favorite junk food

Homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk

2) Best movie you've seen recently

"The Visitor," a bit of an art film about a washed up professor who finds an unlikely friendship with an immigrant in New York.

3) First concert ever

Beach Boys, Harrah's Atlantic City, 1981. They played the casino for a week and I saw the show no less than 3 times. Brian Wilson was 300+ pounds and urinated on a palm tree mid show. Dennis Wilson was also still alive, but in bad shape. If I realized then how their music would've affected me later in life, I would've germed the crap out of them.

4) Favorite non-Country stuff you're listening to right now?

I'm obsessed with power pop and British invasion bands. Interesting melodies, tight harmonies, strident guitars and roaming bass lines in 3 minutes. The Hollies Greatest Hits 1963-74 and The Byrds Younger Than Yesterday are in heavy rotation in the car and at home. Among newer releases, The Raconteurs and Kelley Stoltz are fabulous!

5) What was the first song you ever worked?

"Wine Into Water" by T. Graham Brown in 1998, a great song that was a big record where it was played. It reached Top 35 Billboard and sold over 200,000 albums, which felt like a million units for our little label.

6) So some of my co-workers said that they ran into you and you had an 'Amish' beard thing goin' with huge sideburns-what's with the new look?

I'll be acting in a play on the U.S. Presidents. I'm playing Chester A. Arthur.