10 Questions with ... John Perrone

NAME:John Perrone TITLES:Sr. Director/Rock Promotion COMPANY:TVT Records FORMATS:Alternative, Active Rock, AAA LOCATION:New York, NY BORN:NY, Jan 28, 1970 RAISED:Jersey, baby!

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out at WNHU-FM (West Haven, CT), then to Chameleon Records, off to Caroline Records and then to TVT, where I have been for over 12 years.

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

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.

My first job was dubbing tapes for a yoga school for my senior project in high school

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?

As they say on Dragnet, "Just the facts." In this day at radio there is not just one thing that gets the job done. You need pieces from every department to help close a station. Going to radio with an MP3 or a CD-Pro alone just does not cut it anymore. You need the whole package. Sales, video, press, touring and maybe even your grandmother's apple pie recipe.

3. It seems that set-up is more important now than ever. What do you do to inspire your staff for success in the field on a daily basis with the amount of material that recording companies are releasing in today's market place?

We like to give our staff music way in advance. We want them to spend time with the record and see the band BEFORE they have to work the band to radio. At TVT, we don't release 30 records a year for the format. We maybe do five records a year so the staff knows we will be working an artist for a long time. If TVT signs an artist, we are committed to them for a long time and we are not going to give up just because a first track doesn't perform well

4. Who do you consider the current tastemakers in the ROCK world?

The lifestyle kids are the tastemakers. They are the ones who know what the next trends are. As far as stations, WJJO, KILO and WAAF.

5. Repetition breeds familiarity. How does your label increase exposure of your artists outside of traditional radio promotion?

Our New Media department is growing each week, they are the ones who seem to be able to have a quicker grasp on if the consumers are going to like our music.

6. What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the rock formats growth and constant daily changes?

Well, of course, I talk to Doug LaGambina every day! I do a lot of web-surfing and check out station websites. I like to see what each station is doing in the market weekly and then find out if it is working for them. You can get a better handle on the station's beliefs.

7. 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?

We get them out on the road. I think that is the most important thing a band can do. Play everywhere. Word of mouth is still the best research!

8. 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?

Three Days Grace. They make hits for radio.

9. In your opinion, what is the biggest "missed" record in the last year?

Black Stone Cherry. Not that it was a "miss," per se. That record is amazing.

10. Are you finding that today's "baby" bands are getting a fair shot at radio, and, more importantly, are they being given the airplay they need to break through to the masses and be recognized?

Playlists are smaller, and baby bands are having a way tougher time getting on the radio. That's why you need more than a CD-Pro and a dream. I think Rock radio will give you a longer shot once you get in than other formats.

1) 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 CDs 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"
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Uplift Mofo Party Plan"
Descendents "Milo Goes To College"

MOVIES:
"The Godfather"
"The Godfather, Part 2"
"Pulp Fiction"
"Midnight Run"
"Shaft" -- Richard Roundtree is a bad mother....