-
10 Questions with ... Heather Propper
September 22, 2008
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Heather PropperTITLE:Promotion Manager, SoutheastCOMPANY:Equity Music GroupBORN:Westfield, New JerseyRAISED:New Jersey
Please outline your career so far:
2000-2005-KMLE Phoenix
2006-2007- Promotion Coordinator- Equity Music Group
2007-2008- Promotion Manager, SE- Robbins Nashville
2008-Present- Promotion Manager, SE- Equity Music Group1) Before you moved to the records/music side of the industry, you were an ace marketing/promotions director at KMLE/Phoenix- tell us about your memories from that station- and it was a great station with a great staff- Ben & Brian, Jeff Garrison, Chris Loss- certainly you learned a lot.
I have so many amazing memories. I started at KMLE when I was 20 years old. That's where I grew up and really started becoming the person I am today! Each one of the people you mentioned were a huge part of that. Phoenix is a highly competitive market and some of the best memories I have are the battles we had with KNIX on-site and on-air, especially at Country Thunder. I also will always remember the kids at the Phoenix Children's Hospital whose lives we got to touch and who in turn touched my life more than anyone can imagine! Radio is a powerful, powerful thing and to me the most fulfilling part was being able to do so many amazing things for our community!
2) What made you want to move over to the records side and how accurate was your idea of what it would be like?
Chris Loss! Everything he does I want to do. The second he got his regional gig at Lyric Street Records, I decided that being a regional was the only thing I could ever imagine doing. I had a good idea of what I was getting into making the change because I had so many friends that were regionals who prepared me for it. I think too many people get the wrong impression of what we do. They think it's just a big party and very glamorous. They don't realize that it's actually the complete opposite! They don't see the extremely hard work, the stress and the battle that each one of us goes through on a daily basis to get airplay and market our product.
3) By the way, is the superstar Promo Dir. a dying breed? I know there are still some great ones, Annie Sandor and Renee Fonner come to mind, but many times now it's an intern or a former intern getting that position, leaving it in the PD's lap, and he or she is already maxed out.
Well, as a former intern who became a Promo Dir. I don't think they're a dying breed at all! I would think that the PD would choose the most driven, hard working, dedicated, self-motivated and creative person that they can find to market their brand. Many times it is someone who is already at the station because they already have the knowledge of the station and the understanding of what is expected and how to take it to the next level. Jay McCarthy was maxed out, but he gave me the opportunity to show him what I could do and took the time to mold me into exactly what he wanted KMLE's Promo Dir. to be. I think it's important for the PD and Promo Dir to meet each day, even if it's only for 20 minutes to go over what is going on with the station and brainstorm. Both positions need to work hand in hand to make sure they are always one step ahead of the competition!
4) Who are some of the mentors you have had on both sides of the industry?
Chris Loss, from his radio days and now his record days, has been the biggest mentor to me. He's been there professionally and personally for me for the past eight years, and honestly there have been times where I don't know what I'd do without him!
5) What is your favorite thing about your job and we want a little dirt, your least favorite?
My favorite thing about my job is being a part of helping my artists and my label succeed! Most of us live and breathe our job, in order to sell albums, market our artists and make them superstars.
My least favorite thing is when someone says the word "NO." I don't believe in that word, it doesn't really exist in my vocabulary, as the people in radio and records that I work with know!
6) What do you love about living in Nashville and what is the one place that you can't let visiting friends or relatives leave town without seeing?
I love everything about Nashville! I love the people, the music, the history, my job and all the amazing friends that I have here. Everyday I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world! No one can leave town without seeing the Batman building, which is great since you can see it from practically anywhere. Get where I'm going with that one?
7) What is your fantasy job outside of the industry? Don't worry, Haley doesn't read All Access.
I'm so telling him you said that! Honestly, being a regional is my fantasy job. I've known for the past six years that this is what I wanted to do, and hopefully I'll be blessed enough to do it for the rest of my career in this industry!
8) Who would play you in the Heather Propper story?
You know, it's really hard to pick one person! I think anyone who has is passionate, ambitious, has overcome huge obstacles in their life, has big dreams, and doesn't give up would be the right person.
9) Are you a gadget crazy person? Last time I saw you I did not see a phone sticking out of your ear.
I am, but I don't really like those bluetooth things. I used to have one, and even when I took it out, I felt like it was still in my ear! It gave me nightmares when I slept. I'd rather just use my hand to hold my phone when I talk to someone.
10) What kind of music at your label has you excited right now?
YAY! Time to promote my artists! The Carolina Rain "American Radio" single is fantastic! Every person has a soundtrack to their life, and this song talks about those memories you have and reminds people how music truly does affect your life in so many different ways. The tempo is great, their harmonies are beautiful, and I find myself singing it in my head all the time!
Laura Bryna has a new single coming out called "Hometown Heroes." She has been chosen as the voice for the National Air Guard. A huge national Air Guard campaign starts this month with this song, and it will be all over Radio, Print, TV and even movie trailers!
Ladies, (especially Heidi Decker) and gentlemen, get ready for Blake Wise, our new artist who will be coming to you soon! He's beyond talented, beyond charming, and beyond handsome! He's going to be the next big thing in Country Music!
It also looks like we have a Pat Green on our hands with Kevin Fowler. He's got a great single out "Best Mistake I Ever Made." He's selling records, and he puts on a killer show!
Bonus Questions
1) How many baby pictures did Chris Loss send you? (For anyone who doesn't know Chris, he just had a beautiful baby, and we think he got a bit carried away with emailing photos.)
I believe I ONLY received about 20 pictures of the beautiful Bella. The funniest part was after Chris sent them to me, he asked me to send them to our friend Andrea for him! Um, he had to give me her e-mail address. Guess he thought he was busier than me that day?
2) What's the most fun thing you did over the summer?
I actually did two really fun things this summer believe it or not.
The first, was going camping up in Northern Michigan with Michael Powers, Jack Christopher and a few of our other friends. It was so peaceful, beautiful and relaxing! I felt like I was on another planet.
The second was coming back to Equity Music Group and being back on the road and working with Carolina Rain! Those guys are my passion and a huge piece of my heart! Life wasn't really the same without them in it.
3) What three albums would you carry out of a burning building?
Neil Diamond - Tap Root Manuscript. "Cracklin' Rosie" is the happiest song in America by far!
Frank Sinatra - The Complete Capitol Singles Collection (1953-1962)
Matchbox 20 - Yourself or Someone Like You
-
-