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10 Questions with ... Ed Brown
October 17, 2017
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1) How Did You End Up Working At All Access?
I had been doing radio back east in Michigan and Ohio. I was working at a station that flipped formats and suddenly found myself displaced, wondering what my next move would be. A friend of mine (Hi Connie!) was working at HITS Magazine in Sherman Oaks. She used to call on me at the station where I was MD. She said there was an opening and asked if I'd be interested. I had wanted to come to California since I was a teenager and didn't hesitate to say "hell yeah!"
The decision to unplug the headphones and change careers was a tough one, but ultimately the best decision I've made. I was in a new space, figuratively and literally, and having a ball. Frankly, it wasn't like I was completely changing careers, since I was still involved with radio and music. On my birthday in 2001, Joel Denver called and offered me a job as Top 40 Editor at All Access and I've been here ever since.
2) What Was The Biggest Adjustment Moving From The East To The West Coast?
Pacific Savings Time! LOL. I learned quickly that t-shirts, jeans and kicks are appropriate attire just about anywhere. The weather was a trip, too. I got to L.A. in April. It was maybe 65 degrees, so I show up that first day wearing a polo shirt, shorts and deck shoes. I couldn't have looked more out of place. To the locals, it was still winter, but I was coming from the cold, cold East. To me it felt like summer! Needless to say, I adapted quickly.
3) What Do You Like About Your Job?
It's such a blast when your job involves doing something you love and feel passion for - at that point it's not really a "job." As a young kid, I was the go-to guy in the neighborhood whenever someone needed music for a party. I'd show up with a bunch of records and make some magic. It was always fun when someone would come up and say "that's a cool song... who is it?" Same for when I was on the air. I love music discovery and having the platform to turn folks on to cool stuff. Here at All Access, I get to do that every day ... and get paid for it.
4) Do You Like A Particular Style Of Music?
My taste in music is all over the place. Sure, I deal primarily with the Pop side, but I'm also a fan of RnB, Alternative, AAA, and Country ... both classic and new. Country music was a large part of my diet growing up (thanks Mom & Dad!).
5) Which Projects Have Brought You The Most Joy Helping To Break?
There are quite a few actually, but they all have one thing in common: it's always a song that no one expected to be a hit. The usual comments are "it's so different" or "it doesn't fit our format" (until it eventually does). Off the top of my head, there's Sia "Chandelier," Awolnation "Sail," Childish Gambino "Redbone," "DJ Sammy "Heaven, "Michael Franti "Say Hey," Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait," Hozier "Take Me To Church," Lumineers "Ho Hey," Daya "Hide Away," D.H.T. "Listen To Your Heart," Pitbull "I Know You Want Me." There are too many to mention, but you get the idea. I love when a song defies the odds to become a hit. I also want to say a special THANK YOU to all the programmers who actually listened to my endless pitches and gave those songs a chance.
Right now, it's "Lights Down Low" by Max (f. Gnash). Max is a star! The song has been out since last year. I've lost count of the number of songs that have charted and disappeared since this first came to radio. It has solid metrics and is researching. Finally, all these months later, it's approaching Top 20 at Pop and at Hot AC.
6) How Do You Enjoy Your Free Time?
Quite well, thank you! Seriously though, it tends to involve good friends, good music, good conversation, good food, and a good wine. Maybe not in that order.
7) What Are You Binge-watching On TV These Days?
There isn't much time to indulge in TV viewing but I do enjoy "The Blacklist," "This Is Us," and my good buddy Pete Jones (our Rhythm editor), turned me onto Seth McFarland's new show "The Orville."
8) Do You Have Any Hobbies?
I have a music and memorabilia collection filled with vinyl, CDs, audio tape, posters, shirts, radio swag ... you name it. While it doesn't rival other collections I know of (Hi Steve!), it is pretty extensive. It's a never ending process to curate and catalog. Definitely keeps me busy.
9) Favorite Place To See A Show?
Stadiums, arenas and theatres are okay for some artists, but you can't beat the intimacy of The Troubadour, or The Roxy. I love those places, because you can get practically on top of the stage and enjoy it up close. The downside is, if it's a sold-out show, it gets freaking hot out there on the floor. So, if you see me sweating my ass off in front of the stage, YOU KNOW that I'm into that particular performer.
10) You Recently Relocated To Palm Springs. Why?
When I came to California, I lived in the Valley, not far from the 'vampires' on Ventura Boulevard that Tom Petty sang about (RIP). The All Access offices in Malibu are great, and it sure didn't suck to see the ocean just outside the window from my desk, but the drive to and from Malibu took it's toll on my car and my mental health. Sometimes it would take over 2 hours to get home! Right after I started at All Access, I bought a home in the desert, knowing it would be the place I'd eventually retire to. Once the technology advanced to the point where I could do everything I do from the comfort of my home office, I decided to make the move out here.
Bonus Questions
There have been a number of musicians that have died over the past year or so. Which of the dearly departed would you love to meet?
Prince. Dude was FUNKY! What a mind! And you can tell he had a sense of humor. Would have been fun to meet him.
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