10 Questions with ... Maria Musaitef

1. What made you want to get into the radio/music business?

Music made me feel good...made me happy, it was fun, it reflected my feelings in lyric and music, was my escape and solace when I needed it to be. I started listening to WLS in Chicago when I was a 13 year old kid in Kenosha. Every weekend, my friend Jennifer Leigh and I would take the city bus, yes the city bus, to Peaches Records and Tapes across town to pick up the weekly WLS countdown chart. Each week it was a different color. I collected them and somewhere in my mom’s attic, there is a box with hundreds of them in it along with my Tiger Beat and 16 magazines.

Music has always been a big presence in my life, though I honestly was looking towards a journalistic career, of being a field reporter for news...on the front lines of nutty stuff happening anywhere in the world...or a writer for a news outlet. I moved to Los Angeles in 1987 and later enrolled in the journalism program at Los Angeles Valley College.

2. What was your first industry job and early mentors?

During the first semester at LAVC, my journalism teacher announced that his friend, the VP of Media Relations at the newly launched Hollywood Records, was looking for an intern. Everyone put their name down to interview. I got the gig. My first week on the job, Freddy Mercury died so I was there well past midnight that day faxing out press releases about his passing. As the internship was coming to an end, I was hired by that VP, Kathy Acquaviva, as her assistant.

Kathy is to this day my biggest mentor and a friend forever. Boy, I couldn’t have gotten a better crash course introduction into the music business and learned practices that I keep to this day. Hard work, integrity, paying attention to detail, remembering everyone you meet - you’ll come across them again, returning calls/emails within 24 hours, going above and beyond what is asked of you always, the strength of teamwork, take risks, loyalty, don’t burn bridges, love what you do and remember to have fun.

3. Can you give us a quick history of your music industry background up to now?

• Hollywood Records - Media Relations Assistant
• Global Satellite Network – Affiliate Sales Rep
• Album Network/SFX Entertainment – Director of Affiliate Relations
• United Stations Radio Networks – Affiliate Relations Manager
• HipCricket – National Broadcast Sales Director / Mobile Marketing
• Clear Channel Communications/Los Angeles – Total Traffic Sales Manager
• Radiate Media – Radio/TV Sales Manager
• Westwood One – Affiliate Relations
• Envisage Radio Group – VP Affiliate Marketing and Sales
• Benztown Branding – Affiliate Sales Manager
• MNM Media Services – Current

4. Your company specializes in marketing, promotions, sales and PR. Can you give us a list of some of your clients?

United Stations Media Networks – Lex and Terry Show, HardDrive, HardDriveXL Nights With Alice Cooper and Sammy Hagar’s Top Rock Countdown

www.unitedstations.com

FM Music Management – Artist management, tour marketing, artist development

www.fmmusicmanagement.com

Eddie Trunk Rocks! – Weekend radio program

www.eddietrunk.com

Bridge Ratings – Digital Music Research Service

www.focus360llc.com/radio-stations/bridge-ratings

www.bridgeratings.com

Dee Reed, Maria, Lex and Producer Sarah Morgan of the Lex & Terry Morning Show!

5. Let’s talk about the Lex and Terry Show. How long have you been working with them and how is the show doing?

Recently I went to Dallas to spend some time with the Lex and Terry Show and boy was I blown away! Lex, Terry, producer Dee and Sarah Morgan operate as such a well-oiled machine day in and out. From on-air for 5 hours to post show. These guys do their own show prep and take live calls even. After the morning show wraps, Dee sends out a recap email of that day’s show, a soundbite, a what’s coming up and customized promos for affiliates. This crew LOVES their gig and are dedicated to making the show a success for affiliates which is evident as the show ranks in the top 3 for mornings in those respective markets. We’ll be at the #HAPPENS radio/music conference in Vegas in February so meet the gang and let’s hang!

6. You also work with hardDrive radio and Lou Brutus who we recently featured in 10 Questions. What’s your role with hardDrive?

I love this show! As with Lex and Terry, HardDrive and HardDriveXL are United Stations Media Network programs as well. Lou is the consummate pros pro and so multidimensional. He is respected in the Rock format and has tons of cred with the bands. Not to mention he has radio in his blood so it only makes sense that he went from local radio as a youngster to host a nationally syndicated program. Between his weekend show and the weeknight show, we are on 175 stations. As with all the radio shows I work with, I identify what stations would be a good home for the program in each market and work on landing it. I also work with stations to help them maximize the full potential of monetizing the show locally and that it brings value to the station and its listeners. And ratings!

Maria and Lou Brutus

7. And then there’s Eddie Trunk Rocks! How many affiliates are running this show and what is your role here?

Eddie’s radio show, ETR, whose flagship station is Q104 in NY, currently has 40 awesome affiliates. Eddie definitely has fans out there. Heck, when he broadcasts his SiriusXM show live from The Rainbow here in Los Angeles once a month, the place has lines out spilling unto Sunset Blvd! So, my job...is to get ETR on in L.A. too!

8. You also work with FM Music Management and many of their artists. What is the latest with many of the bands you work with?

I really dig working with the team here – Frank Mastalerz, Bob Hathaway, Andy Goerlich and Dino Kourelis. I have tons of respect, fun and a bunch of nice humans for sure. They go above and beyond for each and every artist on the roster. Also, the more I spend time with the FM bands, I’m constantly impressed by their work ethic and their business acumen on top of their drive and passion for their art.

Lots going on in the FM Music Management camp! Through Fire, Royal Bliss and The Black Moods all have singles moving up, up, up on the charts. Thank you Rock Radio! Several FM bands are making the festival circuit including Epicenter, Rock USA, Rock Fest. RA is coming back with a new record. Keep an eye, AND ear, out for these guys Alternative radio - The Orphan The Poet...you GOTTA check them out next time they come to town. They have killer diversity with a cool band like The Native Howl. Tense Machine (formerly Deadset Society) is revving up with new music in March. I’m excited about some of the new young projects like Discrepancies, Dark Station, Another Days Armor, Versus Me and Glasslands. Stay tuned!

The Black Moods with Maria and Michelle Parisi

9. Since you have such a varied radio/music industry background, I’d love to get your thoughts on the Active Rock format as a whole. What’s your take on the music and artists at the format today?

I’m happy seeing the crossover action happening with, say, Whiskey Myers...I think it’s healthy for the format, triggers creativity, keeps it interesting and brings in new fans. Check out some of their previous tunes like Stone and The Reckoning. Just like I think Country radio should give Black Top Mojo a shot. I love seeing bands like Dirty Honey and Royal Bliss do as well as they are charting and touring as independent artists as well. I’m digging the new Volbeat, Shinedown, Crobot, Rival Sons. Would love to see more ladies on these charts for God’s sake!

10. Finally, I know you’re a huge Green Bay Packers fan. While they were in the recent NFC Championship, once again they are not going to the Super Bowl. How does the future look for your beloved Packers??

Well, they won a lot games this season and stayed healthy for the most part til Bulaga got the freakin’ flu and the whole locker room fell sick the week of the playoff game vs the Seahawks. That could explain a bit of their not so pretty performance against the 49ers. But, in the end, the better team won that day. The Packers have a lot of young guys that stepped up and collectively made impressive plays that contributed to this 13-3 season. Rodgers and Matt “Hottie” LaFleur seem to have a nice groove going on. Heck, 1st year head coach kicked butt! This is a team with good character, resiliency and a stellar work ethic. Future looks green and gold!

What do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you’re not in “work” mode?

Geez...when aren’t we not in work mode in this biz, right? I promised myself recently that I need to hit the pause button more often, certainly for wellbeing’s sake, and to continue to enjoy what I do for a living.

So when I’m chilling, hmmmm, let’s see...I’m coming up with ideas for what’s next after this chapter. I’d like to start a pet food line since I’m always cooking for my pack – Piper, Jake, Lulu and Keegan – they love their veggies! I love being outdoors so we definitely get in lots hikes in these So Cal hills and mountains, growing things, dirt, flowers, more veggies, catching a band I love at weird or intimate venues (ie: Cody Canada and The Departed at Temblor Brewery in Bakersfield), yoga, my buddy Michelle Parisi got me into TRX workouts, doing rescue work as you know...my 31st foster – Max, a sweet dog who came from a pretty crappy situation, just got into an insanely awesome forever home which had him vacationing in Park City for the holidays even! Taking in football games...thank God we have a couple of teams in L.A, now, wine tastings, going off the grid talking to my mom in Wisconsin every day now that she is retired finally, trimming trees and stuff in the yard...it’s therapeutic, I swear! Sleeping in til 8am on weekends. Too much?