10 Questions with ... Jack Ashton

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I have worked for several record labels including Mercury, ABC, EMI/United Artists, RSO, Chrysalis, PolyGram, WEA Label Discovery.

Ashton Consulting - I quarterback music marketing and consulting in four formats. In addition, I represent Randy Thomas, one of the biggest voice-over talents in America on TV and radio. I handle the radio side. I am also the adviser and Manager for a Rock Fusion/World music recording artist Lao Tizer and the group is called TIZER. (See web sites above)

1) What Got You Interested in music?

Listening to "Lee Allen on the Horn" at WXYZ-AM in Detroit. He was the hot jock at that station. I was about 12 years old at the time. This was before the Beatle's and the British invasion had hit America! When that happened, it really opened up my mind to music. Music just came to me and I couldn't stop listening to the radio. I was buying singles when I could. Music just became my life.

2) What was your first job in the music business?

My first job in the music industry was working for Mercury Records in Chicago. I worked for VP promotion Stan Blye. He promoted me in the first two years because I had so many hits breaking artists such as Rod Stewart, Jerry Lee Lewis, Uriah Heep, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, The New York Dolls, and many others.

3) How do you balance the many tasks in your day as a consultant, an artist manager, radio promoter and affiliate representative for voice-over talent Randy Thomas?

It's a hot plate for sure! As I go through my day I target the many priorities. In the world of radio promotion I work closely with my clients to coordinate the project as the point person between all the players.

Working with Randy Thomas is great because I have strong relationships with many of the key players at radio, so it's just a simple matter of calling my radio friends and letting them know what we're doing. Artist management is the simplest part of my job because I just point Lao Tizer in the right direction and he is great at implementing the plan!

4) You've done a lot in the world of artist development. Tell us about this experience?

I love the creative side of this business. I love developing artists and I've had the pleasure to work with some big names by helping them to re-ignite their careers.

I worked with Hall & Oats on their song "Do It For Love" which went to #1 at AC. After that we had a slew of Top 5 hits that followed. There were many other artists that were a lot of fun to work with including Simply Red, Michael McDonald and others.

5) Who was your biggest mentor in the record business?

There were a few. Stan Bly at Mercury Records, Charlie Minor at ABC and EMI/UA, and my biggest influence who had the most impact on me was Al Coury who was President of RSO Records. He was amazing for me!

From Radio it was Rosalie Trombley former MD at "The BIG 8" CKLW in Windsor-Ontario, Canada. She help mold me and to really understand the importance on being a great promotion person. She had quite the impact on me. She was so helpful and with me and most of the other music promoters during that time in Detroit. I learned a lot from this amazing lady of music. Bob Seger as you know even wrote a song about her!

6) What Career path would you be following had it not been this industry?

I would probably be involved in some way with the world of art or music management. I managed four bands when I was a senior in high school. They where always working. There were lot's of places to play in Michigan in those days.

7) Who is your favorite artist that you have ever met or worked with?

There are so many that it's hard for me to name just one. I guess on a national level I'd have to say Rod Stewart. On a local or regional level it would be The Rockets from Detroit!

8) What can artists be doing these days to compliment their radio promotions?

Radio is obviously still a factor. Today's artists need to be on top of all aspects of their career to keep their brand visible to their fans. These days you need to keep an open mind about the many technologies available to your artist like your artist's web site, fan sites, social networking, YouTube, touring, etc. Today artists also need to be willing to move on any opportunities and always see the job through to completion.

9) What was the most memorable promotion you ever did?

There are a lot of those as well. But the one that sticks out was back home in Detroit when the J. Giles Band was on EMI America. J. Giles was huge in Detroit! They were doing three SOLD OUT nights at an outside concert venue called the "Pine Knob."

There was a small little super hip club just off Woodward Avenue called "Bookies" and that's where all the really hip new bands played. There were a lot of Punk Rock bands that played there that the radio stations in town wouldn't play. The place was always happening!

So I spoke to the Manager of the J. Giles Band and I asked if after they were done with their show on the third night, would they go down to this small club and do a short set? I said it would be ALL over the news and papers and people would about it for a long time.

Well they did it. I told the Rock stations at the time. (I believe it was WRIF, WABX and WLLZ). I had all three stations mention that the J. Giles Band might be at this club at some point say an hour or so after their big show.

So we did the show and the place and the streets were packed for blocks. They did a half-hour + set and BLEW everyone away that could get into this place.

People talked about the show for months on end. It was even mentioned on a national scale. WOW that was a night! I'm surprised we got out alive! It was nuts!!! It was all over radio and TV. The sales of the album shot right to number #1 in town and that also helped the record on a national level.

10) What do you feel is the most important issue facing record labels in the current business environment?

With the ever changing world of this business, I always leave the door open to new opportunities. With the way things are today, you have to keep yourself open to ALL new ideas.

I love everything about the music and entertainment business. I look at this business from every angle including syndication networks, marketing, artist development, branding...all of it! I have touched on every corner in my career and I have even been on TV and worked for the famous Rock Magazine "CREEM" (America's only Rock and Roll Magazine!") That's what was on the cover on the top of the magazine. It did Rock! I was there. So many of them today that worked there, the editors, photographers and the owner, are still friends of mine and have gone on to do GREAT things. I loved it there. It was like a family.

Film is the only thing I haven't done. But I'm sure I could find a spot there also. You just have to have an open and creative mind and know when to move on things and always see the job through to completion!

1) What do you do in your spare time?

I read a lot. I'm a huge movie buff! But even in my spare time I'm always doing something involved with music or entertainment.

2) What are your favorite radio formats?

Classic Rock, Oldies, and Hot AC.

3) What's the longest road trip you've ever been on, and where did it take you?

Two that come to mind are Robin Trower and Rainbow. But when I was with Polygram I had the chance to work with Def Leppard on road. I spent a lot of time with Joe Elliott as they were breaking through in America. When their "Pyromania" record came out it started off gradually and thanks to MTV and a lot of hard work on the road we blew the record wide open. All I'll say is that "It was raining women!"