10 Questions with ... Larry Pareigis

NAME:Larry Pareigis TITLE:President STATION:All of them! COMPANY:Nine North Records BORN:5/29/64 RAISED:Pittsburgh, PA

Please outline your radio career so far:

15 years of radio, 12 years of records/tapes/CDs/MP3s and whatever's next

Astro Sign: Gemini
Political party: Democrat

1) Congratulations on the launch of Nine North, can you explain this great new venture. And congratulations by the way!

Thanks very much. It's exciting, and I just realized - because we've all been in such a hurry - that we're all of two months and one week old! The premise is that we're Nashville's first virtual label. We don't share office space but we stay glued to our cell phones and BlackBerrys, and I work with a like-minded group of professionals who offer every service a major would offer on an as-needed, a la carte basis. The only limits are time, money and imagination.

2) When did you get the idea?

During my six-month "break" after leaving SBMG, I had plenty of time to analyze where the business was headed, and that afforded me the opportunity to take the time to set up something different but needed, instead of walking over the same old tired ground.

3) You were with SONY/Nashville many years and broke a lot of acts. How has the transition been to a smaller independent company?

Delightful. It's a blast working for oneself - I wholeheartedly suggest it. Plus, the guys on the immediate team - Tony Benken and Ryan Barnstead and Greg Stevens - are all entrepreneurally-minded, so even though I've been hitting it hard since about 6AM and I'm still up doing paperwork at 10PM, I don't mind - it's my company!

4) Why did you decide to start your own business?

I wanted to do something different from what I'd been doing and this was my opportunity to take that leap.

5) There seems to be a very rough climate out there for getting music played- last week we popped 12 brand new songs on Cool New Music. And some of them are superstars. Is it possible to get new and independent artists through the glut?

Quality and patience will out. Every time. I have great faith in that, and there isn't a single project or artist I'm representing that I'm not proud to represent. We're picky and it shows. We'll just get pickier from here.

6) By the way, what do you think of the glut? Most stations add one record or two a week. It can't be fun working a record for 32-weeks.

The writers and publishers certainly love it. Boom times for them, if you ask. I was honored to be a part of the recent Tracy Lawrence two-week #1 that took 43 weeks to peak. Unreal. It is what it is though. It's like hating a fact of life; you adjust your game and your gun sights and move on. Ready, fire, aim.

7) How did you decide on who you wanted on your staff?

There was a very brief moment where these 3 guys were available all at the same time. Those kinds of confluences are very rare, so you have to take advantage of them. I'm honored that Greg, Tony and Ryan have joined me in this adventure.

8) Are you having fun?

Absolutely. More fun than I've had in years, frankly.

9) What artists, songs have you excited?

Brent Keith, John Berry and The Roys are all very special, very talented people, and their debut singles with us are terrific. If you'd like to hear them, check 'em out at http://www.myspace.com/ninenorthrecords. I'm also very excited about the return of Garth and the cycling of Chesney and Urban to bring some terrific music to the format. All boats are benefited by a rising tide, a wise man once said.

10) What's in your CD player or iPod that you can't hear enough of?

When I get away from the office and Country music - because everyone needs to listen to everything as far as I'm concerned - I keep coming back to Wilco's CD "SKY BLUE SKY". You've already heard these wonderfully diamond-cut, enigmatic little songs on their big Volkswagen campaign, but the CD as a whole is remarkable, and kind of a throwback - you'll find yourself listening to it repeatedly. One of my favorites of this or any year.

1. What is your most memorable moment from your days at Sony?

Receiving a double-double diamond award for the Chicks' "WIDE OPEN SPACES" and "FLY". Just a remarkable moment in a big ol' 10-year run that I remain proud of.

2. You watch and read everything, what's your favorite new TV show? Favorite book?

Show - Toss-up between Brotherhood and Dexter, both on Showtime.

Book - Chasing Cool by Noah Kerner and Gene Pressman. It's all about clutter busting.

3) What do you think of the new Springsteen and can you still get me tickets?

Well, I love the single. It's a big scream of frustration from the Boss with Clarence's sax for company. Tickets? We'll figure it out. Haven't we always?