10 Questions with ... John Perrone

NAME:John Perrone TITLE:GM COMPANY:Upstream Music Group/ Land Shark Promotion FORMATS:Rock and beyond! LOCATION:Secaucus, NJ BORN:New York, NY RAISED:Jersey

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out at WNHU/West Haven, CT, where some guy name Doug LaGambina blew me off freshman year. Then it was off to Chameleon Records, Caroline Records and then to TVT, where I spent over 12 years. Joined my old partner Gary Jay and Land Shark in 2007. Finally, in May 2008, while continuing to work with Land Shark, became GM of Joey Carvello's dream, Upstream Music Group, INC and LLC.

1) What made you want to get into the music business? Early mentors? First job?

So is this the part where I pretend I haven't done this before and come up with a new lie? How about this, I'll recap and add a little ... I have been around the business for years. When I was 10 years old I broke my leg and went to L.A. to visit a family friend, the late Emeil Petrone, and he took me to a record store and said, "Grab whatever ya want," and I thought that was so cool. Several years later, my mother got involved in the business and then started her own label and distribution company, Downtown 161, which has been around for 20 years. The two people who helped me out the most when I first started calling commerical radio were Sky Daniels and Max Tolkoff. These two guys introduced me to a lot of radio folks and guided me along in my early years. It is something that I will never forget. Most recently, Joey Carvello. The years Joey and I spent together at TVT Records, I learned more about the RIGHT way to do business than in all my other years. For him to choose me as one on the first people to be a part of his dream is truly an honor.

2) Too many records, too few slots. What data seems to be most important to you when jockeying for an open slot on a radio station and why? Ticket sales? Tour info? Prior success? Retail? Other stations?

Here's a concept ... the truth. No hype. Just facts. Radio has access to everything we do as promotion people, so they can check if you're lying or not. What's the point of doing that? Then you become untrustworthy, so why would they want to take your call or answer your e-mail? I believe that the biggest pieces of info for radio are the pieces on what is happening in their market. Either sales, downloads, touring, etc. Whatever it may be.

3) Things are changing rapidly in our business. Were it up to you, what would you change in our "system" to give your bands a better shot?

System is perfect. I hate change. Seriously, I wish there was some better new music programming at Rock radio. Hard Drive is a great syndicated program that gets a lot of new music exposed, but I wish there were more locally hosted shows on Rock radio to expose new music.

4) Who do you consider the current tastemakers in the Rock world?

Every programmer who has EVER programmed WEDG Buffalo. They rule the rock world! Must be something in the wings. Now you go figure out who I'm talking about!

5) It has become apparent that in this research-driven time that records are taking much longer to "test." How do you go about making sure that your record will be given a fair shot?

You must show some sort of growth each week -- either by new stations, increase spins, video, downloads, touring, etc. You need something to show radio that the machine is still moving ... whatever it is. You need to present radio with a NEW story each and every week.

6) What current-based rock artist do you see having the ability and skills to stick around for several records in today's instant gratification-oriented society?

The 'DER (Hinder, that is) and Buckcherry! Hinder writes hits for radio, and radio NEEDS dangerous Rock bands ... and Buckcherry does it best!

7) Every promotion person has a record close to their heart that for one reason or another never broke through, "The One That Got Away"..... What is your "One That Got Away" ... and what did you learn from that record?

I would have to say The Cinematics "Break." I really felt we had a great base with radio, marketing and touring. Something just didn't click on it.

8) In your opinion what is the biggest "missed" record in the last year?

Buckcherry "Everything." The record was HUGE with a bunch of singles breaking through at several formats, but I always felt that radio totally missed the boat on "Everything."

9) The lost art of artist development. What do you do to ensure your artist is building a career as opposed to just breaking a song? And does it even matter anymore?

One word ... TOURING. If a band can establish itself as a touring act and get 1,000 people a night out to see them regardless if they have a single on the radio, then they will have a career. While radio has supported them for years and I'm sure they will continue to, but Sevendust is a band that can come to a town, get a great crowd every night regardless if the station in that market is supporting them.

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

Towers of London -- part Sex Pistols , part Guns and Roses. They kept ya on your toes. You didn't know what you were gonna get with them. Either a fight would break out between the band members or they would get into it with the locals. I have NO idea what they hell they are doing now.

You are the remaining survivor on a remote tropical island with no chance for rescue. You have a CD/DVD player with endless power. What five CD's are a "must" to have with you? What five movies?

CDs:
Jane's Addiction - "Nothing Shocking"
Grateful Dead - any "Dick's Picks" vol.
Replacements - "Tim"
Pearl Jam - Atlanta 1994 live
Descendents - "Milo Goes To College"

MOVIES:
"The Godfather"
"The Godfather, Part 2"
"Pulp Fiction"
"Midnight Run"
"Shaft"