10 Questions with ... Elizabeth Sledge

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I will celebrate two years with RCA in May. Prior to RCA I was the Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for Montage Music Group. My radio promotion career started in 2002 as Sony Columbia Coordinator and then I promoted to Epic Northeast Regional.

1) Liz, you grew up in an area steeped in music-the Muscle Shoals Sound. What kinds of music did you get hooked on when you were young?

Michael Jackson Thriller was my first album. I was a complete NKOTB (New Kids On The Block) fan in High School. Jimmy Buffett & Keith Whitley were also recurrents in my cd player.

2) What did you think you wanted to do when you were growing up and when did you decide that you wanted to be in the music industry?

I always thought I would be teacher or photographer growing up. My interest in the music industry didn't start until college. I always read the tape/CD covers and started to recognize names. Luckily I grew up near two amazing song writers, Gary Baker & Mac McAnally. Through both of them I got my start in the business.

3) You guys are having a great run over there at RCA-your staff is led by VP Keith Gale and National Norbert Nix. What do you think is special about your team?

We spend a lot of time together and are very supportive of each other in and out of the business. Some days we even eat all 3 meals together and it's not odd for the Keith to crash our family vacations. We are also very fortunate to have great artists and music!

4) Give us a 'snapshot' of a day in Liz Sledge's world, from the alarm clock until you get home at night.

Oh gosh, my day changes constantly. I guess on a non-travel day I wake up around 7, crawl to the gym, then head to the office where I get to call all my radio friends. I love to cook in the evening if it fits in my schedule.

5) What music are you excited about right now? Is there something new coming that we don't know about?

We have new music from Sara Evans, Chris Young and Jake Owen that we are very excited about. There are a couple of new acts in the pipeline too.

6) What's your favorite thing about your job and what's your least favorite?

I love hearing a single on the radio, especially the first time. I just heard Jake's new single "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" on WKDF and cranked it up loud enough to disturb anyone around me. My least favorite thing is flying, I'm not a fan at all but I do it all the time.

7) What kinds of things do you love doing when you're not working?

Shopping! Retail therapy is fun year round. If it is warm you will find me at the pool or on a boat with friends and family. I also volunteer with the AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and we will have our 2nd annual Music City Walk on October 8, 2011. Our first walk had over 250 participants and raised almost $20,000. Check it out at http://www.outofthedarkness.org.

8) What music are you listening to currently, Country and other stuff too?

I listen to Bruno Mars, Matt King, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett. One of my favorites is the Pete Yorn/Scarlett Johansson album that came out a few years ago. The Civil Wars "Barton Hollow" is another great album out of North Alabama.

9) What is your dream job? And not necessarily in the music industry?

Retirement! (when I win the lottery).

10) I hear people call you Liz, Lizzie, Elizabeth. Were you one of those kids with 4,000 nick names and how do you like being addressed?

No, I was always called Elizabeth until high school, then Sledge came along. I wasn't called Liz and Lizzie until I moved to Nashville. I used to volunteer with the talent Coordinator on the CMA's and other big shows around town. I think Liz was just easier to understand on headsets and it stuck.

1) What are some of your favorite things about living in Nashville?

My brother and his family live in Franklin so it is nice to be able to watch my nieces & nephew grow up. Nashville Predators! And there is always live music playing nearby.

2) What would be a favorite meal for Liz Sledge?

The American Dream sushi roll at Sushi Yobi and Virago's Chocolate Between The Sheets is the best dessert in town.

3) If you have an off night at home in front of the TV, what would you watch?

Survivor! I've watched every season. Hangover and Wedding Crashers are my go-to movies