10 Questions with ... Judy Libow

1. What made you want to get into the music business and who were some of your early mentors?

It's funny, I just finished watching "Laurel Canyon" and was reminded, yet again, why I pursued a career in the music business. I suppose it's the same reason all of those artists moved to Laurel Canyon back then to create that magical community: THE MUSIC. There was a time that I believed Broadcast Journalism might be my calling (Nicolle Wallace NOT Laura Ingraham), but fate had other plans for me. I was working on a music documentary for college and contacted Pete Fornatale, my favorite DJ on WNEW-FM for an interview. Pete was also a major Poco fan (as was I), so for me, there was already a kinship that eventually led to a lasting friendship and mentorship. Pete eventually helped me secure my first job in the business at WQIV, a progressive rock radio station in New York that had just changed format from Classical Music to Rock. The station lasted just 8 months as a Rock station, but in that time, my journey had begun. It helped prepare me for what was to come, including 16 years at Atlantic Records in Rock Radio promotion. Pete passed the baton to Gunter Hauer and Tunc Erim who became my new mentors.

2. You spent quite a few years as a VP/Promotion in the Rock Department at Atlantic. Tell us about those years and some of the bands you worked with.

I repeat this with great frequency: those years at Atlantic Records were the BEST years. I was so fortunate to be a part of that time, not just at that particular company, but also in the music business in general. It was a time when music was flourishing and the "classics" that shaped us were new and different. Radio was welcoming and fun. It wasn't about research and streams, it was about lyrics and melodies. It was about relationships. The artists were unique and exciting. The live experience was unforgettable. It was an extraordinary time. Atlantic Records began as an R&B and Jazz label. That music alone was amazing! Add to that the British bands that Ahmet Ertegun embraced and the label became an undeniable musical force! Led Zeppelin/Robert Plant, The Rolling Stones, Bad Company, AC/DC, Genesis/Phil Collins/Peter Gabriel, Roxy Music, J Geils Band, Foreigner, Julian Lennon, ELP, CSN, Stevie Nicks, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, INXS, The Blues Brothers (!), to name a few! Back then you also had some of the best programming minds in Rock Radio who didn't just appreciate the music, they went out of their way to play it before release!! Not so much fun at the time, but looking back, I have to smile.

3. After years working in Rock Promotion for Atlantic, in 1991 you formed Libow Unlimited. What was the primary business model for that company?

Libow Unlimited was formed as a promotion/artist development company. My goal was to take all of the experience, knowledge and relationships that I had cultivated over the years and offer my services outside of the confines of a label. My first major client was Bon Jovi, who retained me as the band's national promotion/marketing consultant for their "Keep The Faith" release. From there, I was fortunate to work with a variety of artists that transcended different genres of Rock music, including Julian Lennon, Midnight Oil and Sonia Dada.

4. How was the experience going from working for a label to working for yourself?

In that moment, frightening but exhilarating! While I loved my years at Atlantic Records, I was ready for a change. Creating my own company was a challenge. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone! That said, I was ready to take it on and welcomed the idea that anything could happen, but, it would be on my watch. The most important lesson I learned when I moved on from the label was that whatever made me "special" came with me. I was not defined by where I worked, but who I was.

5. When did you start Classics Du Jour. How did that development come about?

My good friend and business colleague Paul Yeskel created CDJ, a promotion and marketing company focused in the Classic/Heritage Rock genre. It was a niche that was sorely overlooked and underserved by the labels. Following Paul's untimely death in 2007, with the blessing of his family, I took over CDJ and made it my own. We currently work with Classic Rock radio stations across the country and have a very successful web platform that is direct-to-consumer. There's no one doing it like we do.

6. Classics Du Jour is a unique company model that fills a much needed niche for promoting Classic Rock artists with new music. It must be gratifying to see the response from labels and bands over the years?

Absolutely! We have received so much support and appreciation from radio, record labels, artists and managers alike. Being a "full service" company, we can pick up the ball and run with it, all the while being an extension of the label's promotion team. Our radio friends know we are the "go to" company if they need something and we'll go out of our way to service them. So many of the Heritage artists are still making new music, mining their archives for re-issues and never-before-released tracks as well as still participating in live performances (pre-Covid)! There is a rabid and ever-growing audience that wants to know what they're doing. It isn't only about airplay -- it's about awareness. CDJ helps maximize these releases on all fronts along with our radio partners and web platform (classicsdujour.com).

7. Who are some of the artists you're currently working with?

We're currently involved with the new Blue Oyster Cult release, their first studio album in almost two decades! This is a perfect example of a touring band with a die-hard fanbase, three songs in gold on most Classic Rock stations, and 25 million albums sold in their career who still feel the drive and creativity to release new music. Why not?? We've also recently been involved with The Rolling Stones "Scarlet" featuring Jimmy Page, "Living In A Ghost Town", The Who "All This Music Must Fade", David Gilmour, Kansas and The Slim Kings with Liberty DeVitto (longtime drummer for Billy Joel).

8. Any other artists that you're going to be working with in the future you can tell us about?

There are things on the horizon but not confirmed as yet. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has pushed many releases back that are still waiting to be rescheduled.

9. You've done Rock Promotion at a high level for years. What's your take on the current state of Rock Radio, particularly the interest from Classic Rock stations to play some new music from Classic Artists?

I think we can agree that most of us would love to see more new music supported at Classic Rock Radio, and that would include many of the programmers! The audience is there! Unfortunately, there are so many layers of decision-makers and corporate restrictions that make it an ongoing challenge not only for those of us who promote the music, but also for those who program it. If more stations created a "New Music Show" or feature, that would be a helpful platform. For the most part, though, there is a laissez faire attitude, especially at Classic Rock, to just play the same, researching songs over and over again. It's safe.

10. Finally, how has Covid-19 impacted your ability to promote music in 2020?

I still have my computer and phone! The basic essentials. Of course, given the restrictions that have come with the pandemic...interacting with people, attending live shows and station events are on hold. The economic impact of Covid has also taken a toll with reduced staffs and budgets. Obviously that makes it more difficult to promote the way we normally would. In the end, we all have to get creative. Zoom has definitely become the platform of choice!

When you're NOT in Rock Promotion work mode, what do you like to do to relax and get away from the business?

Catch up on new TV shows (currently binging on Lovecraft Country), movies, European football (I am a diehard Liverpool fan), travel, shop, try new restaurants, read a good book. I'm hoping SOON (vaccine permitting) I can be with family and friends!