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10 Questions with ... Jimmy Harnen
December 13, 2005
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NAME:Jimmy HarnenTITLE:VP/PromotionCOMPANY:Capitol Records Nashville
1. Jimmy, congrats on an amazing year on the charts at Capitol. Tell us, what this year has been like for you.
It's been an amazing year and one that I will always remember. I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible people and that has been the real highlight. Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Chris Cagle, Eric Church, Amber Dotson, Merle Haggard, Chris LeDoux, Jamie O'Neal, Kenny Rogers, Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand, Keith Urban and all of their managers, producers, musicians, road crews, engineers, publicists, publishers, booking agents and songwriters. The Capitol promotion crew; Eric Beggs, Steve Hodges, Brent Jones, Nancy Knight, Mike Krinik, Angela Lange, Tony Michaels, Morgan Petek, and Mara Sidweber. Mike Dungan, Tom Becci, Fletcher Foster, Bill Kennedy and Larry Willoughby and everyone in their departments. Great times with great people!
2. You have a brand new Kenny Rogers single about to hit the airwaves. It's a cool song from a truly "timeless" artist. If I was a programmer, tell me why I should play a new Kenny Rogers record?
A hit song can do three things. It can make your heart pound, your mind think, or your toes tap. I Can't Unlove You does all three. It's a very melodic and relatable song and it sounds freaking great on the radio. Dann Huff makes really strong records! Great music is ageless and timeless and this song is no exception. To top it all off, I Can't Unlove You is sung by one of the most unique and instantly recognizable voices in the world...Kenny Rogers. Millions of people love Kenny Rogers and his music and these people are listening to Country radio today.
3. Being a VP/Promotion means you are wearing a whole lot of different hats. Of all the hats you wear, which one is your personal favorite? And what jobs would you like to "delegate" in 2006?
Breaking a new artist is my favorite part of the job.
My job brings me many new and exciting challenges. I love that because change presents opportunity. As for delegation...I am blessed with a great staff that I want to inspire, increase their autonomy, achieve more greatness every day and always try to expand their comfort zones. I believe that great leadership is invisible...it should be felt but not seen. It's all about team.
4. Some people may not know this, but you actually started out in the music business as an artist yourself. What made you decide to switch over to the business end of the music biz?
I was always a record guy at heart. WTG/CBS President, Gerry Greenberg and VP of Promotion, Dave Urso used to have to throw me out of the CBS offices in LA back in 1989 and tell me to go finish my record! I was always hanging out with Urso; every time his team got an add he blew a trumpet. Today we have a bell at Capitol. That was actually Krinik's idea. Every time we get and add or a conversion...we ring the bell. Krinik got an add on one of his last Trace holdouts the other day and he rang the freaking bell so hard he broke the bell! I LOVE THAT!!!! Nothing beats passion and I am surrounded by some of the most passionate and driven people in the business at Capitol Records.
5. If you could no longer be involved in the music business, what would be your dream job?
I never had a plan B. For me...the only sin in not making it was not making it.
6. Capitol Nashville already has a spectacular roster of artists. But, can you give us a sneak peak as to what is on the horizon for 2006? What are you excited about that you can give us a "sneak preview" of?
Eric Church is our next release so let me elaborate on him for a moment. His debut CD on Capitol, "Sinners Like Me" is one of the finest records I have ever had the pleasure of working with. If you want an advance copy...call me at 615-269-2044 and I will send it to you. It's incredible.
7. Before coming to Capitol you did a management stint with Jo Dee Messina, it must be very helpful having that experience in this role. What's the one thing that really stands out, that you didn't know before you took that job, that's helping you now?
It brought me yet another layer of understanding of the driving force of our industry...the artist. Everything we are starts with great artists.
8. It seems from the outside looking in, that you and President Mike Dungan are a nice fit. Tell us how you complement each other?
I think we are and I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with Mike. He believed in me and for that I will be forever grateful.
9. Name one promo person who's in the trenches at another label that's a superstar, or a future superstar?
There are many so it's difficult to single out one. I gravitate towards passion and drive in people. The rest can be learned.
10. We know you have always been an avid runner and athlete. With your new responsibilities as a VP, do you still find time to pursue your passion of running and biking? Any marathons coming up?
Not as much as I used to. I try to run on my lunch hour. RJ Curtis got me into to cycling and I love it. It's a great balance from running and my knees sent me a dozen roses. In the warm weather I will bike to and from work from my house in Franklin. I truly enjoy road biking. It completely sets you free.
Bonus Questions
1. Maybe some people don't know, that as an artist, you had a pop hit in the 80's. Did you play it for Dungan in your job interview?
Yes...I am a one hit wonder. And of all titles for a one hit wonder to have...it had to be, "Where Are You Now?". Dungan actually played drums on my single. Kidding.
2. What are you and Lynn and the kids doing for the holidays and are you able to "shut it off" during your down time?
I can never shut it off. I'm definitely addicted. But I truly LOVE what I do so it simply NEVER feels like a job. We will stay in Franklin for the holidays. Luke is getting his first full scale guitar, a Fender Telecaster just like Keith Urbans'. He loves Keith. He is 5 years old and playing guitar like he has done it for years. What a rush to see you son do that. I am so proud of him and my little "Peanut", Katie. Katie is three and she is the most beautiful little girl in the world. I just bought her a set on bongos. She loves them. Maybe I have a modern day version of the Carpenters on my hands????
3. We know that you read a lot, recommend a new book that an aspiring promo person or programmer should read.
"Good to Great" by Jim Collins, "Survival is Not Enough: Zooming, Evolution, and the Future of Your Company" by Seth Godin, "Jack: Straight from the Gut" by Jack Welch, John A. Byrne, "MTV: The Making of a Revolution" by Tom McGrath. The most life changing book I have ever read is "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale.
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