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10 Questions with ... JoJamie Hahr
March 28, 2006
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NAME:JoJamie HahrTITLE:Director of Regional Promotion - SoutheastLABEL:Broken Bow RecordsCOMPANY:Broken Bow Records
1. Go back in time. With the state of the industry today and knowing what you know now, would you still have chosen your same career path in the Music Industry? And, would you recommend a younger sibling to make a career in the Music Industry?
Without a doubt - I can't imagine NOT being in the Music Industry. It's my life and my passion. It's challenging and frustrating, and amazingly satisfying and invigorating.
2. You are the remaining survivor on a remote tropical island with no chance for rescue. You have a CD/DVD player with endless power. What five CD's are a "must" to have with you? What five movies?
CD'S:
Jason Aldean's debut CD, I just never get tired of listening to the songs, it's amazing.
George Strait 50 #1s reminds me of growing up listening to Country music with my dad.
Eric Church Sinners Like Me, his album reminds me of why music excites me.
Nickelback All the Right Reasons
Sugarland Twice the Speed of Life, They are the future of country music!MOVIES:
Dirty Dancing, Walk the Line, Urban Cowboy, Miracle on 24th Street, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days3. Do you think that showcases, artist visits and conference room concerts are all viable in getting new acts introduced to radio?
Not only viable, but crucial. After my first radio tour with Megan Mullins, I'm seeing what a huge difference it makes for radio to see the artist in person. Most of the time, there's a lot of hype surrounding a new artist like Megan, but when they see her, she blows them away with her raw talent. She's the real deal. I love involving my stations in the excitement, up close and personal.
4. In your opinion, what do you think of so many stations putting too many songs in Daypart only categories, some with no day-time spins at all? Any solutions?
The daypart only categories help initially to get a song added. However, when a record remains in that category, it's never truly exposed to the listening audience. There are quite a few records, when given real spin rotations will produce great research. Look at Josh Turner's "Your Man", that is a great example. Craig Morgan is also practically guaranteed to research, now that "I Got You" is pulling in conversions, we are seeing BIG national research numbers!
5. Has the consolidation of radio made the job of promotion harder or easier? Explain why.
I think the job of promotion is much harder with the consolidation of radio in a couple of different ways. First, radio stations are cutting costs, adding a lot to the plates of programmers. Unfortunately, our music calls are not their first priority on Monday morning. This makes it harder for us to grab their attention with our music, while maintaining respect for the immense amount of responsibility they face every day.
Second, the consolidation of radio groups as a whole is giving individual programmers less power in decision-making, and they are being dictated as what to play. It's obvious as to why this also makes the job of promotion more difficult.
6. How do you handle stations that have to get a "Green Light" from an outside source before adding or converting a record? (i.e. Consultant, Brand Manger, Format Capitan or Group Programmer)
My job is to get answers and feedback about my records no matter what it takes. It's all about networking and getting to the source. I handle that differently with each station and every situation.
7. If you had the opportunity to work any act/artist from the past, present or future who would it be?
I would have loved to work with Alabama. They are such icons in my eyes, I grew up listening to their music. To be a regional in their day would be like a dream come true for me - surreal.
8. How do you go about building relationships in your region? How important are they in obtaining airplay?
Strong music is first and foremost for obtaining airplay. However, relationships are the basis of everything I do. To me, being real is what it takes. I just am who I am with my stations. They know that what they see is what they get and I LOVE Country music more than anything, I'm a P1. Needless to say, we end up talking about all of the records on the chart, not just mine.
9. In this the day of many labels releasing just one or two singles on an artist in order to see how it does before actually investing in a complete project, what do you feel this practice does to your creditability with programmers?
The thing I've learned and take pride in most about BBR, is that we put all of our focus on one act at a time. This year, it's Megan Mullins. Her music will get our undivided attention as we create her as a rising female star in this format. I think that radio knows, at this point, that what BBR brings to them is something that we believe in with all our hearts and we simply won't fail, we can't afford to.
10. What do you do in preparation for making your weekly radio calls?
I prepare in all of the obvious ways - tracking, play list comparisons, etc. I also receive all of my stations newsletters, and check their websites daily. I try to put myself into their world instead of constantly trying to bring them into mine.
Bonus Questions
1. Do your remember the first record that you ever bought?
I think it might have been New Kids on the Block!
2. Name a record person, not on your label, that you really admire?
Jimmy Harnen at Capitol has been so great to me. Back in my radio days, when I was trying to get into records, Jimmy helped me when he didn't have to. He didn't even know who I was, yet he opened his door with advice and knowledge that I'll never forget. He continues to be someone in the industry that I look up to and he's doing tremendous things with his staff and his artists. Basically, I'm a huge Jimmy Harnen fan!
3. What is you favorite CRS moment?
General Tommy Franks gave the most moving, motivating speech I've ever heard at the Keynote presentation. He literally got a standing ovation, halfway through. My dad just returned from Iraq, so the General's involvement with our industry means a lot to me.
4. Do you hate talking on the phone when you're not working?
Yes! I feel so bad, I talk to my mom every day, and I find myself cutting her short sometimes because I'm literally exhausted from talking all day, text messaging is my good friend.
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