10 Questions with ... Joel Habbeshaw

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• Kirtland Records - 2005-present
• Gold Circle Records - 2001-2002
• Hollywood Records - 1993-2001
• Maverick Records - 1992-1993
• KEDG Radio - 1991-1992
• KUNV Radio - 1988-1991

1) What led you to a career in the music business?

I fell into promoting and booking Punk Rock shows then I got the opportunity to join KUNV (College Radio) when I was attending UNLV. I fell in love with radio and devoted all of my time to it.

2) Did you start your career in radio? How did you make the segue to a record label? Would you ever go back to radio?

I loved being at KEDG but one morning I received a call from Howie Klein about a new label owned by Madonna, it was a great opportunity so I went for it. I would go back to radio, I am fascinated by PPM and how it is changing the game in the PPM markets.

3) What is your favorite part of the job?

Being on the road, and marketing around the airplay and talking with programmers about radio.

4) What can radio and record companies be doing with their radio station web sites to drive more music fans to these sites?

I think for the most part radio stations are starting to embrace their websites as a part of the business model to help generate more income. Content is king so the more exclusive content the stations have on their sites, the better chance of more eyeballs and generate more income from the site. If the stations have exclusive content they should be pushing links out to social sites and try to generate more traffic to the site and a little search engine optimization helps a lot.

5) What are your thoughts on the current methods of research use by radio today?

I am not a fan of "presearch" or online research before the record is out. Sometimes songs take more than one listen.

6) Do you think that showcases, artist visits and conference room concerts are all viable in getting new acts introduced to radio? Are they worth the investment?

I think it depends on the artist. If you have a charismatic artist who can shine its worth it.

7) What is the first artist you ever worked to radio and what are you working now? What's the difference between the two?

The first band I took to radio was Candlebox. I am now out with Bob Schneider.

8) What is the strangest record you ever worked and what ended up happening to the band?

Jesse Camp (The MTV DJ) the record blew. The staff knew it but we had to take it to radio. We ran a couple of Air reports on it and the responses where hysterical. I still kept that report for an occasional laugh. No idea where that guy is at now.

9) How do you stay in tune with today's music audience and consumer trends?

I love the Mediabase/PlayMPE combo. Just listening to all of the music on the various charts is great. I buy a lot of music online and at record stores.

10) What was the craziest promotion you ever did with a radio station?

KXTE (Extreme Radio)/Las Vegas did a "XXX Cruise" and we put one of our artist on the bill for them. It was a three day cruise with a bunch of drunks and porn stars.

1) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I served in the US Army for two years and the National Guard for 4 years on the M1 Abrams tank.

2) What do you do in your spare time?

I love to travel, when I have the time I try to get out of the U.S. and explore other cultures. I love photography and I have a music studio that takes up my spare time.

3) What are some of the artists we might find on your MP3 player?

It always rotates. I have about 40,000 songs on a network drive. I usually have a couple artist that always end up on the iPhone: Coldplay, The Cars, John Lee Hooker, Pink Floyd, XTC, Split Enz and I have a secret love for Lady Gaga and the Ke$ha records.

4) What are the first and last things you do when at the office every day?

Check Mediabase.

5) What is your favorite road food?

Sushi.