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10 Questions with ... Jennifer Bohler
August 3, 2009
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NAME:Jennifer BohlerTITLE:PublicistCOMPANY:Alliance Artist and Media RelationsBORN:Langdale, ALRAISED:Opelika and Montgomery, AL
Please outline your career so far:
Graduated Auburn University with a degree in journalism
Cash Box Mag-reporter then editor (3 years)
Network Ink (4 years)
Starstruck Entertainment (12 years)
MCA Nashville (2 years)
Owner/President Alliance Artist and Media Relations (9 years and counting)
2 CMA Publicist of the Year Awards1) We've never done 10 Q's with a publicist before- you are the first! So, would you describe what a typical day might be like for you?
Like anyone else in the music business, a typical day for me begins early and ends late. The bulk of my day is spent either on the phone, or responding to/originating emails. In fact, emails are pretty much the standard mode of communication now. My day consists of creating opportunities that get the artist's name and music out to the music fan, or potential music fan. On any given day, that would include pitching an artist to appear on a national television show, to be featured in a newspaper or magazine, or creating events that attract media attention.
2) You've been in the business a long time and have guided careers for many artists- can you tell us some of them?
My longest association with an artist was with Reba, who I worked with from 1984-2002. The bulk of that time was at Starstruck Entertainment, where, along with Reba, Narvel Blackstock and a great team, we built a multi-tiered entertainment company. I have also worked with Joe Nichols for many years, strategizing with his team to continue to build and develop his career. His move to Broadway later this year will open many doors for him. Other artists I have worked with include Clint Black, Trace Adkins, the White Animals, Jimmy Hall, Allison Moorer and Little Big Town, to list a few.
3) You were the youngest editor ever when you were named Nashville Editor at Cashbox- how old were you, and what was that experience like?
I was 23, and out of college only a couple of years. I had a great teacher - Bob Campbell, who was editor before me. The best advice he gave me when I became a writer at the magazine was always to remember-keep perspective-people in the industry are friends with the chair-not necessarily the person sitting in the chair. That helped me make editorial decisions in a balanced and fair manner.
4) You have worked with lots of artists outside of the Country world- Jason & the Scorchers, Nanci Griffith, Webb Wilder and others- is there one format that you are more comfortable with? Country artists have the reputation of being easy to work with- would you say that is accurate?
It is definitely accurate to say country music artists are easy to work with-they understand what needs to be done and treat it as a business, while at the same time acknowledging they are making a living doing something they love. The non-country artists I have worked with were equally committed to their music, though it was a little wilder ride with many of them!
5) Tell us about your experience at Starstruck. Were you there for the launch of the company? What was it like to run the publicity arm for such an organization?
I was Reba's publicist (at Network Ink) before she and Narvel started Starstruck, and joined them when the BIG IDEA started to unfold. It was exciting and exhausting-but we were all committed to building a strong and successful entertainment company. It was some of the most fun I have ever had too-Reba and Narvel's philosophy was-and remains-work hard, play hard.
6) You've had a really great career so far. What are a couple of your proudest achievements thus far?
In addition to working with Reba and Narvel, and being a part of building something like Starstruck, there are quite a few. But I'll single out two. The first is helping lay out a very successful media strategy to get Little Big Town back in the game following their Sony deal. When they signed with Equity, I was handling the label's PR through my company Alliance. As their publicist, I was on the ground floor of the Little Big Town re-launch-and the subsequent BIG HIT "Boondocks," and a platinum album. Conan, the Tonight Show, a People Magazine feature, rave reviews-all good media things followed thanks to great music and a well thought out media campaign. The second is partnering with Mike Kraski to manage Jimmy Wayne. We just celebrated our first anniversary as his management team (Tenacity Management), and we have much to be thankful for.
7) Do you have any advice for someone that wants to pursue a career in publicity? Do you recommend getting a degree in journalism like you did?
I highly recommend getting a degree in journalism-I have spent WAY too much time re-writing new publicists' press releases. Learn to write like a journalist-all the compelling info in your lead. And for heaven's sake learn to spell!
8) You worked for MCA for several years- why did you join a label and what was that experience like?
It was a very tough decision to leave Starstruck and go to MCA-but I knew I'd still be involved with Reba's career, as well as artists like George Strait, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack-MCA Nashville was THE premier label. I thought it would be a good experience to see things from the inside of the label, and they had always been great partners to work with from the management company's perspective. Besides, how could you say no to Bruce Hinton and Tony Brown?
9) Why did you start your own company?
While the label experience was a good one, the environment was a bit too corporate for my taste, so going back to being an indie, and having the luxury of working with whomever I chose-that was the draw, and remains so to this day.
10) We're hearing you're involved with management now. What's up?
As I mentioned earlier, Mike Kraski and I manage Jimmy Wayne-and just celebrated our first anniversary with him. It's been great to pull some of the magic tricks out of the Starstruck bag and apply them to this very talented artist. Tenacity is growing as a management company-and to me, that's one of the best parts of the music industry-take an idea and run with it.
Bonus Questions
1) Can you get us tickets for Oprah?
Depends on what day you ask me.
2) As a listener, who are some of your favorite artists?
Like many music fans, my taste in music runs all over the board. U2 has been one of my favorites for a very long time. If you looked at my iPod, you'd find Eminem next to Jimmy Wayne next to Guns N' Roses next to Outkast. Oh yeah, let's not forget the Monkees-they are also well represented.
3) What was the first concert you ever attended?
Paul Revere and the Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay. My first 45 bought with my own money-though you didn't ask - "Hey Jude." It was an allowance well spent.
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