10 Questions with ... Jackie Kajzer

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I graduated from Seton Hall University and fell in love with radio during my time at WSOU! I went on to work at Concrete Marketing, which was my first promotions job. I've worked as a jock at WHTG, WDHA, KBZT and Indie 103.1/Los Angeles. I moved to Los Angeles for a promotions job at The Firm Management in Los Angeles, where I worked for 10 years. My proudest accomplishment there was finding, signing and making Five Finger Death Punch a core band for Rock radio. I also hosted my own metal show for Indie 103.1, which is now syndicated on over 30 radio stations nationwide. In 2009 I left The Firm for my current job at Tenth Street Entertainment ... and couldn't be happier.

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

During my time at WSOU I learned about the behind the scenes aspects of working at a radio station, and LOVED it! While I was at Concrete Marketing, I started getting into promotions, and working with radio - sharing in our love for the music. It really all started with my love of hard rock music, but grew into an appreciation and passion for working in and with radio.

2. Best advice for younger, less-experienced music promoters?

Know who you are talking to. We aren't working widgets. Every song doesn't work for every station. I've been fortunate enough to get to travel around the country and when you get out there, you start to learn that every market is different. Keep that in mind when you are speaking to programmers.

3. 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 marketplace?

It all starts with good music. It's the only way you can cut through. I've been lucky enough to work with great rock bands over the years, and I've been involved in the process of picking singles, and coming up with marketing plans around our album releases. We don't rely solely on radio alone. We provide a means for radio's audience to become familiar with songs before they hit the airwaves.

4. Biggest changes in the industry you would like to see happen?

PPMs seem to have caused radio to become more conservative. There are fewer slots for currents at radio, but more and more new music coming out. We need radio to find ways to use the broad platforms at their disposal to help us better expose new music.

5. In our highly competitive music field, where it seems more and more that every artist needs something special to get paid attention too, how do you position yourself -- and your label -- to get YOUR artists the shot they need?

First, it's the music. We go to radio with great rock songs their listeners are passionate about. Allen Kovac has created this company to be more than a management company and record label by making sure we have a focus as a marketing company as well. We try to build our songs online and offline first before taking it to radio so listeners will already be familiar with it. Also ... relationships. I consider most of the people I speak to everyday friends.

6. With web-based Internet radio becoming more popular, will these stations have any effect on the buying public now or in the future?

Nothing can compete with terrestrial radio. It's localized. I don't believe any Internet station can take the place of your favorite local rock station. Lets talk about the marketing aspect for a second: The local stations have built up their local e-mail database/text in database. What Internet station can do that at this time? I still vote for terrestrial radio every time.

7. What is the biggest thrill about breaking new music to the masses?

It's always incredibly exciting for me to be part of the process where we introduce a song to the public, then I hear it on the radio in that market - even better ... see it performed live in that market and watch the audience sing all the words to the songs.

8. What is the first thing you do when getting into the office every day?

Drink my ice coffee, blast Pantera, check the charts .

9. What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the Rock format's growth and daily changes?

Charts, checking stations websites, sales, Big Champagne, iTunes sales, etc.

10. What is the first artist you ever worked to radio and what are you working now?

First: Fear Factory. Now: Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Drowning Pool, Trapt. I started out working metal radio, and that led to commercial rock records.

What is the strangest record you ever worked?

Fieldy's Dreams

How long have you been doing the show and how did it come about?

I have been doing the Full Metal Jackie Radio Show for about six years now. I've been syndicated for the last three. I pitched Michael Steele (who started Indie) on letting me do the show as: "Let me do a kick-ass metal show for you. The people of LA/OC will love it; you won't have to do any work. You will love it, too." He asked me to come in one week to see what I can do, and that was that! I was approached by Envision a few years ago about syndication. The show now airs on over 30 Rock stations nationwide.

How do you manage to find time to host Full Metal Jackie with all the bands you are responsible for at Eleven Seven.?

NO SLEEP! I work on my radio show nights and weekends. I've got a studio in my house now too, which helps. But yeah ... no sleep.