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10 Questions with ... Tommy Delaney
December 7, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I think what sticks out to me as of late is just how competitive it is. The Rock format boasts a ton of successful independent artists right now. There is a constant stream of Top 10 tracks from this well. Records are sticking around longer, taking more time to develop, and that is a trait heavily relied on with independent labels.
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1. What made you want to get into the music business and who were some of your early mentors?
I wanted to attend Seton Hall so I could get a job on WSOU. That is it in a nutshell. Be on the radio playing Rock and Metal. Done and Done. It was after I got there and was exposed to labels and their record reps bringing bands to the station that I knew where I wanted to go in my career. My early mentors were all the reps that called on me as Music Director as WSOU. A ridiculous roll call including Cheryl Valentine, Mike Schnaap, Charlie Londono, Karen Rait, Chuck Slomovitz, Mike Rittberg…I could go on.
2. What was your first job and give us a rundown of the labels and positions you’ve held over the years?
I turned what was an internship calling college metal radio into my first full time gig. That was working for Concrete Marketing, where I worked pretty much everything in the metal world. After that, I moved onto a short stint at Atlantic Records, followed by six years at Virgin. I started with college promo and moved into the National Alternative roll. I moved onto short run at Disney, working for label they had acquired called Mammoth. The label was shuttered after 20 months and I caught on at the newly formed Lava Records, starting as NY Local and moving on to become National Rock Promo. After six years, Lava was folded into Roadrunner, and I was traded to the Independent Label Group for cash considerations and a player to be named later. ILG was then merged into ADA, becoming the services division where I was until October of 2020.
3. When did you first start working for ADA and how long did you work there?
It was in the summer of 2007 when I joined ILG and then a few years after that we were merged with ADA. All in all between Lava, ILG, and ADA I spent 18 ½ years at Warner Music
4. How long after leaving ADA did you start Lucky Man Promotions?
In November of 2020. I started immediately following my exit from WMG.
5. Who are some of the Rock bands that you initially started working with via Lucky Man Promotions?
I was fortunate to pick up with the gents at CO5 who brought me on board to work Sevendust and Myles Kennedy (both of whom I worked with extensively during my time at WMG) right out of the gate, and also Mammoth WVH, which has been one of the most gratifying experiences I have had in my career including all that came before I started Lucky Man. Back to back #1’s and a 3rd single just taking off now. It’s definitely a highlight as I began this new journey. I also had the personal high of working with Cheap Trick, as well as fantastic contemporary acts like Ayron Jones, Badflower, and Atreyu.
6. The new Lost In Silence single Raging Eyes was just released. Tell us about the band and your promotion strategy for this project at Rock Radio?
With a band that is really starting from scratch, the focus is just on getting them exposed to radio. Every spin or feature these guys get will be their first. I think it’s really about trying to find a handful of markets that like the band and want to support them and seeing what can be built from there.
7. Give us some other bands you are working with now and what are some future projects you can tell us about?
I’m very stoked to be working the new Slash ft. Myles and The Conspirators. This is one of Slash’s best tracks to date. He is gearing up for a tour staring in Feb. 2020 which will most likely sell through to clean before the tour begins. Slash’s position in the format is Rock solid. I’m also proud to be still involved with DED as they continue to carve their place in the rock format. This track will be on the chart 16 weeks coming up and continues to move toward the Top15. Every recent increase has been due to research. Records don’t hang around this long unless there is something going on. Also pushing great tracks out there from Bullet For My Valentine, Atreyu, and We Came As Romans (personal fave). Joyous Wolf is another act I think that has a chance to make a mark.
8. You’ve been in the record promotion business for a long time and worked lots of Rock Records. What are some of your proudest Rock promotion achievements to date?
When I was at Virgin, and Lenny Karvitz “Fly Away” became the first artist to score #1 in the same week at Active Rock, Mainstream Rock, and Alternative was pretty cool. Getting to work with the incomparable David Bowie. Buckcherry “Crazy Bitch” and Beware Of Darkness “Howl” were also great moments I won’t forget. Truth be told, there are plenty more to list, but the takeaway is that I have been privileged to work in Rock and Alternative music for over 25 years. The fact that I am still going is, in a word...tremendous.
9. Let’s talk about new music at the Active Rock format. What’s your take on the current product and the State of Rock Radio today?
I think what sticks out to me as of late is just how competitive it is. The Rock format boasts a ton of successful independent artists right now. There is a constant stream of Top 10 tracks from this well. Records are sticking around longer, taking more time to develop, and that is a trait heavily relied on with independent labels.
10. Finally, what do you like to do for fun (hobbies etc) when you’re not in “Promotion Work” mode?
The Beach, anytime of year. Marvel’s Contest Of Champions, and Texas Hold ‘Em.
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