10 Questions with ... Ally Clark

NAME:Ally Clark COMPANY:ALL ACCESS MUSIC GROUP/NASHVILLE

Brief Career Synopsis:

Ally Clark has been working in the ALL ACCESS/Nashville office since former Christian Editor Mike Severson left to join Rounder Records a few months ago.

Ally has been working in a variety of different editorial and promotional areas for both Christian and Country format sections. She has been a tremendous addition to the All Access team since she came aboard a few months ago and we've loved having her here.

We decided to ask Ally to do the 10 Q's "interview" so you can find out a little bit more about her.

1. You were at the Marketing Group before joining ALL ACCESS, what was your role there?

I was initially brought on at The Marketing Group to launch their Christian radio department and syndicate their first program, "Direct Connection." I worked clearance for both Christian and Country radio, cleared and conducted radio tours and dabbled in script writing and PR.

2. Before you came to Nashville, your background was in radio right? Tell us where and what?

That rumor is true...NOT THAT ONE...That I worked in radio, geesh. I hail from Rochester, NY (actually Ontario, NY - 40 minutes east of the city). I was the wacky intern, go-to-girl and then Promotions Director for WBEE FM. I loved almost every minute of that job. Seventy-hour weeks, hiding under my desk when sales people came to look for me, falling asleep on my office floor from exhaustion...Ahhhhhh good times, good times. I LOVE THE BEE - they will always be family to me.

3. Lots of people think about moving to Nashville, especially from radio, what prompted you to make the move to Music City?

Well when it comes down to it, life is too short. If I can help it, at the end of my life, I don't want to have any "What if's?" Music has always been a driving force in my life. Originally I wanted to be on Broadway. Then I heard the call of Nashville. I wanted to be in middle of it all. I wanted to have a hand in the creation, to be a part of the music-making machine. So I quit The BEE, packed my car, actually made one of those signs that said "NASHVILLE or BUST" (everyone shut up) and drove on down.

4. Tell us about the ups and downs of moving here at first? Was it very challenging? I'm sure that it was.

First, there was some intrepidation. I was more excited then anything. I was very blessed and very well taken care of. I stayed with a friend until I found a place. I had made some great friends here in NashVegas while I was at the station. When I got down here all of them really did check on me, feed me, gave me job leads. Also, I quickly made some of the most wonderful friends I've ever had period. For a rough town, I have to admit I've never had to really rough it.

5. When did you first want to be in this business and why?

To be honest, until I interned at WBEE, I never thought about working in radio or the music business. But once that radio bug seeps into your system and violently grabs hold of your soul, there's no escape. I wanted more, I had to make my way to the Mecca. (start dramatic background music) I had to come to Nashville. Why? A stepping-stone in goal of Music World Domination...of course.

6. What kinds of music are you listening to when not at work? Any hot tips for some great cd's?

We see you dancing around the office to that "salsa stuff" a lot and hear "The Macarena" and "Achy Breaky Heart," blasting out of your office a lot. So you seem to have varied tastes.

MARC BROUSSARD! I LOVE THAT CD. I really do like just about any kind of music. And I think it's important to be in touch in what's going on in all music genres. And Yes, THERE IS DANCING!!! Let's not be modest Jim, I learned all my moves from you.

7. What kinds of things have you enjoyed about the ALL ACCESS experience so far? Be nice...

I love being back working with Country radio. I didn't know how much I missed it until I got back calling stations and working with the music. Having the opportunity to write some, call some and listen to new music has really been great. And the All Access crew ain't bad to look at either.

8. Were you a person that read all of the trades, etc. before joining us? I'm sure that you were an ALL ACCESS junkie.

Indeed. That goes back to staying on the pulse of the industry as a whole. And of course I was a junkie...but I'm clean now...goin' on 2 years. (That was a joke. Ha Ha - funny... oh never mind)

9. What is your fantasy career? We hear that you're a culinary star in training? What is the deal?

Does sailing around the world on a very large yacht count as career? Hmmm, I would love to own my event planning/catering company and throw the chicest parties you never done see. I would also like to write just one or two, number one hit songs. And I would like to be filthy rich & deliriously happy.

The culinary school ties into the catering thing. I like to have some skills to fall back on, working in this crazy industry.

10. Do you miss radio? And if you went back to WBEE as GM/owner what would you change? And how would you change radio?

I do miss it sometimes. No matter what station I was at, there's an idea I have, let's make radio fun, and creative and actually have it be about the music and not just about making money. Was that too strong? I understand there has to be a balance, but I would love to run a station where the music could be the lead focus and there were opportunities for creativity with out fear of restrictions or pissing off the big car dealership in town. And world peace.

1. Recent movies that you've seen?

"War of The Worlds" - B
There's a couple I really want to see.

2. True Confession?

I'm very, very, very, very, very, very, very silly & a complete dork.

And I have an unhealthy relationship with high heels... and expensive handbags.

And I love PBR - draft PBR.

3. What's your favorite thing about Music City and what do you miss most about home?

Music City - the feel and atmosphere of this town. And you never know who you're going to run into this town.

Rochester - my family, friends, dog and Wegman's Super Markets. It's not just grocery store - it's an experience. It's the Walt Disney World of food.

4. How much alcohol does they ALL ACCESS staff consume while working?

Well, on Mondays, Matt usually picks up the pony keg. (Question - why is it called a pony keg? There are no ponies in it. Right?) And we work on that all week. Kelly is in charge of mixed drinks on Tuesday and Thursdays and I think Jim is just drunk all the time. LOL