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10 Questions with ... Leslie Armstrong
February 18, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. One surprise is that even as tight-knit the Nashville music industry is, it's also inclusive for those who want to be in it. Sometimes tight-knit groups seem intimidating at first, but once you get to know a few people, everything else falls into place
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Leslie Armstrong has worked in the Country music industry for more than 15 years. Growing up in Little Rock, AR, she always had a passion for Country music and was determined to move to Nashville. After graduating from Belmont University, with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Business, Leslie landed a job at Nashville-based company HMG doing radio promotions and writing music reviews for the company's "Powersource" magazine. Two years later, she received a job offer from Bullseye Marketing, where she took on the role of Marketing Director and Editor of Digital Content with the company's consumer-facing web site, Nashville Country Club (GoNCC.com). Her time with the site gave her a decade of writing and editing experience, plus the chance to interview some iconic Country music artists. Leslie joined the All Access team in as Associate Editor earlier this month.
1) What radio stations did you grow up listening to in Little Rock, and can you share the moment you knew you wanted to make your career in Country music?
Country KSSN 96 was the hometown station I would listen to the most. When I was 12, my parents drove me to Nashville and we heard about Belmont University on a bus tour. I knew that was where I wanted to go and I stuck with it until I was accepted there.
2) How did you land your first music industry job in Nashville, and what advice do you have for others looking to break into the business?
I searched Belmont's career page until I found an entry-level position at HMG. After applying, I made sure to check in with the company regularly, and followed up with the hiring manager about the radio promotions job after she said she thought my personality would be a great fit. My advice would be to have determination and to network, because you never know where it can lead or who will give you a job.
3) What have been some of your best learning experiences while working in the music industry?
Respecting those who have been here before me, and taking lessons from what they have done while making sure I stay true to who I am.
4) Who was the biggest mentor to you who helped either when you first began working in the music industry, or somewhere along the way?
Marketing executive Karen Cupit was my internship boss at [record label] Universal South. It was very important for me to be trained by a strong female executive, and that helped me believe I could achieve any of my goals.
5) You have more than 15 years of experience as a Country music insider. What do you know about the business now that would have come as a surprise to you when you were studying it at Belmont University?
One surprise is that even as tight-knit the Nashville music industry is, it's also inclusive for those who want to be in it. Sometimes tight-knit groups seem intimidating at first, but once you get to know a few people, everything else falls into place.
6) You've done probably hundreds of artist interviews and roundtable Q&As over the last 10 years. What are the keys to getting a really great interview out of an artist, especially a reluctant one?
I believe making people feel comfortable is one of the biggest challenges sometimes, but knowing that artists are people too is sometimes the greatest asset to having a good interview. I try to get to know them as a person rather than only talking about their music.
7) Who has been your favorite Country artist to interview, and why? And what was the best interview you've ever done, and what made it so great.
I think, hands down, the favorite Country artist I've interviewed has been Dolly Parton. because she makes me feel comfortable and is obviously one of the best professionals in the business. However, the best interview I have ever done has to be with Garth Brooks. He's another person who makes you feel comfortable, so I can always find the right questions to ask when talking to him.
8) What appealed to you about joining the All Access team, and what parts of the job are you most excited about?
I enjoy the teamwork in creating the latest news items for the day, and helping promote music to Country radio is exciting to do. I enjoy helping good music be heard.
9) What's the best Country music concert you've ever seen, and what made it memorable?
The best Country music concert, for me, was Shania Twain because I remember when she first released "Any Man of Mine." I was obsessed with that song, but I missed her tour stop when it came through Arkansas in the '90s and was crushed. Seeing her in Nashville years later made up for that.
10) Outside of work, what are your hobbies and interests?
I like being outdoors when it is nice outside, and I enjoy sitting in parks reading books when the weather is warm. I'm always up for anything creative, such as painting classes, especially if there's wine involved!
Bonus Questions
Tell us five fun facts about Leslie Armstrong.
- I learned some guitar and would perform for my school and church.
- I was born in Oakland, CA and lived a year of my life in East Bay until moving to Arkansas.
- My last name used to be Bechtel before my stepfather adopted me.
- I am an only child, so don't judge me too much.
- I have a small dog named Snickers who enjoys visiting the office.
What are some of your favorite Nashville spots, and why do you enjoy them?
I enjoy the Natchez Trace hiking trails because there aren't as many people around. I also enjoy sitting on patios or rooftops. L.A. Jackson has one of the best restaurant rooftops for hanging out with friends.
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