10 Questions with ... Jimmy Harnen

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

1981-1985 Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA (BA in Psychology)
1986-1990 CBS Records - Recording Artist
Highest charting single was, "Where Are You Now?" in 1989. Peak position: #10
1996-1997 Gavin Magazine, Nashville, TN, Director of Sales responsible for selling advertising in the magazine
1997-1998 Curb/Universal Records, Dallas, TX
Southwest Regional Director of Promotion
1998-2003 DreamWorks Records, Columbia, MD/Nashville, TN
1998-2000 Northeast Regional Director of Promotion
2000-2003 Co-National Director of Promotion for Dreamworks
2003-2004 Refugee Management, Nashville, TN
2004-2009 Capitol Records/Nashville
2004-2005 Senior National Director of Promotion
2005-2006 Vice-President of Promotion
2006-2009 Senior Vice-President of Promotion

1) Well, the obvious question first, how did this all come about? What can you tell us on how you and Scott (Borchetta) started talking, etc.?

As you know, Scott and I are friends so we always stay in touch. We have always talked about working together again and I think we both knew that there was a very real possibility of that happening sometime in the future. Scott and I share the same vision in business and music. So one night while we were having dinner, the conversation just organically developed from there.

2) You had a very nice run at Capitol, congratulations. Was it hard to leave the staff and artists after these last several years?

It's never easy to leave something that is hugely successful that you were a part of, but it was time for the next chapter in my life. My four years at Capitol were amazing in every way, starting with Mike Dungan. I could never cheer him on or thank him enough. As a matter of fact, the entire Capitol staff was just great. And the artists, well, they truly speak for themselves. They rocked the sales and airplay charts and had some pretty cool accomplishments.

Keith had three platinum plus albums, won the CMA ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR in 2005, several MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS, three #1 selling albums, the highest charting debut of his career at #17 (which was an all time record for about one year) with "Once In A Lifetime." Keith also had his longest running #1 single at six weeks with "Better Life" and three other #1 singles.

Dierks won the CMA HORIZON AWARD; two #1 selling albums and had five #1 singles.

Trace had two #1 selling albums, two multi -week #1 singles, THE ACM SINGLE OF THE YEAR with "You're Gonna Miss This," NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice," a bunch of hit singles and had a pop culture smash with "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk."

Capitol even had the #1, #2 and #3 singles on the Billboard airplay chart with Keith, Dierks and Trace and then a few years later we had the #1 and #2 singles with Keith and Dierks.

But with all of that I am most proud of the fact that new artists broke through: Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan and Eric Church. And I am very proud of Darius being the first African American artist to have a two multi-week #1 singles and #1 selling album since Mr. Charley Pride.

3) Most people in the format know that you had a hit in the 80s called "Where Are You Now?" Do you know of any other artists, especially, excuse the expression, 'one-hit wonders,' that are now record label presidents? I guess it's Jay Z and you correct? And when is VH1 going to feature you on one of those 'What Ever Happened To Them,' features?

Ahmet Ertegun was a hit songwriter when he first started Atlantic Records. He went under the pen name of Nugetre, which was his last name spelled backwards. Tommy Mottola also had a single out early in his career. Tommy Page had a number one single in the late '80s/early '90s. Today he is an A&R executive for Warner Brothers. There may be more, I just can't think of them at the moment.

I never did a video for "Where Are You Now?" so I am not certain if the story lends itself very well to VH1. Maybe?

4) You and Scott worked together a long time at DreamWorks -what were some of the things that he told you and taught you that made an impact? What did you teach him, other than the words to 'Where Are You Now"?

You're a funny man, Jim Asker! :)

As for what I taught Scott, that is something you would have to ask him.

As for what he taught me; my skill sets were taken to the next level under Scott's tutelage back at DreamWorks. This one story just came to mind. I remember the one time I walked into his office when (I was a regional) complaining about something that was "wrong" with a record we were working or the industry or whatever, I was whining about something. He kindly looked at me, smiled and said, "Jimmy, we know what the problems are. Next time you come in here try to come in with a solution or action plan to help correct the problem." I was so pissed at myself because he was absolutely freaking right! I never again walked into anyone's office complaining, whining or bitching. I came in with a possible solution or looking to help the situation.

It's interesting because I now have had the chance to watch him up close and in action for the first time since I left DreamWorks. Scott was a very strong executive back then, but he has taken that to an entirely new level and that is very exciting to see, be a part of and most importantly to learn from. He is like Tiger Woods. He never stops practicing or trying to figure out the next best way to improve his game. But the thing I love the most about Scott is, if you fumble, he is always there with an army of people to help you get the ball back. Oh yeah, and he brings a battalion of tanks and air support to make sure no one comes near you. Seriously, that's a very comforting feeling.

5) Other companies are downsizing, even closing, and here you guys are expanding- did you get some of Obama's stimulus money? Seriously, you all love going against the grain, don't you?

I think it's all about the business model that you create. As everyone knows, it's a simple process of you can't spend more money than you make. Along with that, I believe that you cannot be afraid to think differently.

When I played tennis in college my tennis coach told me that the reason he felt most people never become good competitive tennis players is because they spend so much time, in practice, rallying (hitting the ball right back to the other player). Unfortunately, in a tennis match, that is the very worse thing to do. He said, if you want to beat your opponent, you have to learn to hit it where he ain't.

In addition, there are only so many singles one record company can work at one time, 4 to 5 max if you truly want to have complete market saturation with each act. Big Machine Records is growing by getting wider -not bigger. There's a big difference.

6) What are some of the things that you are excited about for the next year- artists, songs, staff, etc.?

Fast Ryde! You just gotta hear this music. We are also looking at a few other acts that are just killer. More on that VERY soon! :)

7) What will mark the difference in the launch of Republic Nashville from other labels?

All I can tell you about is our vision. We look for passionate, honest, intelligent, big-hearted, hard-working possibilitarians who love music. Team that crew up with great artists and their music and the sky is the limit.

8) How different is it in setting up an artist today with, say Sunny Sweeney, compared to, say Jessica Andrews from back in the DreamWorks days?

There are so many more ways and opportunities to expose and break artists. That said, I have not been on too, too many calls when the person on the other end did not first ask me, "How's the current single doing at Country radio?" :)

9) Scott certainly seems to have the golden touch and it kind of seems like you do too- did you guys watch the 'Secret' together or what? What differentiates Scott from other executives?

Not sure if there is a real secret. Scott is a hard worker and so am I. I think I speak for Scott when I say; you reap what you sow.

10) When you hire someone for your Promo team, who has never done this before, like Lois Lewis from KIIM or Mike Krinik, formerly of WGGY- what kinds of things are you looking for?

I can't really explain it. There is just something you see in a person that draws you closer to them and I suppose that is different for everyone. The first time I ever spoke with Mike Krinik and Lois Lewis, I just thought that they were rock stars. I read a quote from Warren Buffet that I loved that read, "In looking for someone to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. But the most important is integrity, because if they don't have that, the other two qualities, intelligence and energy, are going to kill you".

1) How many copies of "Where Are You Now" do you really have?

To tell you the truth, I probably only have one or two copies. But with all of the ribbing I get about the title of the song and the "one hit wonder" thing, it keeps it fairly top of mind. :)

2) How often are you quoting lines from 'Spinal Tap' to your staff?

Not so much a Spinal Tap quoter these days. I am way into the Warren Buffet quotes of late. My favorites are.

"Someone is sitting in the shade of a tree because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

"You want to learn from experience, but you want to learn from other people's experiences when you can."

"Forecasts usually tell more of the forecaster than of the forecast."

"A public opinion pole is no substitute for thought."

"There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that like to make easy things difficult."

3) Do you still make radio calls when you're out running?

Absolutely! I call my answering machine to leave messages too! It really is a secret weapon for training. If you can talk on a phone and run, you got it going on aerobically!