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10 Questions with ... Rick Young
July 19, 2005
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NAME:Rick Young (Temporary Email)POSITION:Regional Promotion Manager-West CoastCOMPANY:Warner Brothers/NashvilleBORN:New MexicoRAISED:New Mexico & California
Brief Career Synopsis:
Bass player in Rock & Country bands, then 11 years of radio in California and then 11+ years with Capitol/Nashville.
1. From all of us at ALL ACCESS congrats on the new job as the West Coast rep for Warner Bros. How ya feeling about the move?
I'm really excited about the opportunity! WB is a great label with a terrific roster and a great young team. I feel they have as much potential for solid, long-term growth as any label in Nashville. The move back to LA? Well, it's a bit scary but I'm confident it will work out.
2. You spent a long time working the west coast for Capitol, and were there through a lot of exciting stuff and changes such as Garth Brooks and numerous company presidents. It had to be an incredible ride, briefly share some of that with us.
I'm sure anyone close to the Garth phenomenon will tell you it was just something that may not come again in our lifetime. I was also very fortunate to have worked for Jimmy Bowen, another legendary figure. I learned a ton from Scott Hendricks, Pat Quigley and Mike Dungan too. AND breaking Keith Urban to the Platinum status he so richly deserves was extremely gratifying.
3. With all of the changes in radio and records, tell us what still drives you and is it still fun for you?
You just can't do this job if it's not fun, and you MUST have passion for music. I have passion for both the music AND the medium, I still LOVE radio! Helping truly talented people find their audience is still very exciting and rewarding.
4. How do you deal with programmers who may be from a different format and have no passion for the music or maybe too stretched for time?
Well, everyone in today's world is stretched for time and we always wish programmers would spend more time with the music. But I find most PD's from outside Country quickly develop a great respect for both the music and the unique audience it brings.
5. What would you do to speed up the chart, or would you?
No question we need a way to find the hits faster. We all wish radio would really play the records they believe in, and not bury stuff in the overnight for all the wrong reasons. Personally, I think someone should have the courage to publish a 6a-12m chart, even as a subchart. My other wish is that radio could wean themselves from the callout research addiction. It's becoming as out-of-date as the Arbitron diary. Attitudes ARE slowly changing, though.
6. With music being broken in so many different places these days, such as: XM, Sirius, AOL, Music Choice, CMT and GAC, where does that leave terrestrial radio in your opinion? What changes would you make if you were running Infinity, Clear Channel or any other major group?
It appears that after all the abuses of consolidation, that terrestrial radio is working to become a better product. Programmers are back in charge of programming. And all the other options, including IPOD just can't deliver what radio can-the local touch. It's irreplaceable. And frankly, nothing is as down-home local as Country. Radio & records can work to cultivate that.
7. We have all been praying for you and your wife Eydie as she has recently been battling cancer. It's been an emotional battle I am sure, but we hear that things have turned for the better and we are all thrilled. Can you fill us in a little?
First, there's no way to describe our gratitude for everyone's support. It's just been incredible. And not working has been a blessing so I could devote myself to her care. She's a real fighter having gone through radiation, a failed surgery, more radiation, then 18 weeks of chemotherapy. We both feel blessed to have come this far and confident that she can continue to heal.
8. How does something like that change your perspective on the rest of the world?
Let's just say someone being down a few spins doesn't seem like such a big deal.
9. Is she ready to move out to the west coast?
I'm sure there are some great oncologists at UCLA Medical Center.
She's 'stable' now, and her doctors feel she'll be strong enough for the move. The key is that she's been in a clinical trial at Vanderbilt that is also being conducted at UCLA. That makes it possible for us to transfer her case and make this move.
10. You seemed to pick the perfect time to head to Warner Bros. Faith is back with a smash and they've done so well with Big & Rich. Plus they have a great roster with some really talented artists. You have to be psyched?
Absolutely! Bill Bennett and Gator Michaels have put a great team together and the music coming is phenomenal. Wait till you hear the Faith album! And I get to work with the greatest radio stations on the planet.
Bonus Questions
1. What will you miss more, Catino's great Italian cooking or the way he yells at the same time he's eating spaghetti?
I'll always miss Catino's cooking. It's irreplaceable.
2. What CD are you currently listening to that would surprise us?
I have eclectic tastes so I like most genres of music. Hot Apple Pie has a gat new project, the Deana Carter is a really fine piece of work; but I'm also digging Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, and the new YellowJackets! I'm also anxious to hear The White Stripes too.
3. Favorite artist of all-time, any format?
Geez, why not ask a tough question! OK-The Beatles
4. The one record that you didn't break that broke your heart?
The Jenkins, hands-down. Still could be huge.
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