10 Questions with ... Mike Nazzaro

NAME:Mike Nazzaro POSITION:National Director/Top 40 Promotion LABEL:Universal Republic Records

Please outline your radio career so far:

1997-2000 Summer Intern, Glassnote Records
2000-2001 Mid-Atlantic Regional, Artemis Records
2001-2002 Los Angeles/West Coast Regiona,l Artemis Records
2002-2006 Northeast Regiona,l Epic Records
2006-2008 National Director Top 40 Promotion, Universal Republic Records

1) What led you to a career in "reckidz," as they say in New York?

I started as an intern during College.I was booking bands at The University Of Florida for Student Government Productions, and I would come to NYC every summer. I interned for Daniel Glass when he started Glassnote Records. It was great to be part of a small independent team working together to break records. I was able to sit in on some amazing meetings, and really begin to learn what each department of a record label was responsible for.

2) What is your favorite part of the job?

100% it's working with the artists. To be able to be a part of an artist going from an unknown musician, to becoming a huge star is one of the most rewarding parts of doing promotion. It's great to look back and remember the small shows you went to at the beginning of an artist's career, and then see them on the billboards in Times Square years later.

3) What's been the most significant change in the business since you've been in it?

It's obviously the way we consume music and the amount of new options for the consumer. When I started, it was almost a completely CD-based business. You had to buy a CD if you wanted to listen to new music. The digital world has become such a massive force, and is only getting bigger. Between digital downloads, ringtones, ringbacks, MySpace, YouTube, etc. ... the consumer has so many options to get music.

4) What new ways are you coming up with to build stories on songs and artists?

It's more important than ever right now for promotion people to be able to market their artists. Connecting an artist to other forms of exposure like television placement and licensing opportunities has become a tremendous part of breaking acts with radio.

5) What's been your most rewarding project to work?

Colbie Caillat! When Monte and Avery Lipman signed her, she had only played a handful of shows. This past summer she opened up for John Mayer to SOLD-OUT crowds of 20,000 fans each night. Being able to work with Joel Klaiman as this team broke "Bubbly," "Realize" and now on to our third single, "The Little Things," has been an amazing experience.

6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?

The Meters/Leo Nocentelli ... I first visited New Orleans to go to Jazz Fest when I was in high school, and fell in love with these artists.

7) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I've been a Type 1 Diabetic since I was 16. The disease has taught me so much about making smart decisions, managing your time, and puts life into perspective every day.

8) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

Kiss108/Boston. I grew up right outside of Boston and this was the station I listened to. (I remind Chris Tyler of this in every meeting we have.) I remember going to Kiss Concerts each summer to see the hottest acts. I was always into pop music.

9) Do you have a favorite hobby?

Music has always been my hobby. I've been playing drums since I was 12 and always played in bands. I'm very lucky to be able to work every day in an industry that I love. I also try to get out on the course and tee it up as much as possible. I LOVE THE FLORIDA GATORS ... GO GATORS!

10) What advice you would give people new to the business?

You have to be PASSIONATE about this business. If you don't want it 150%, it's not gonna work for you. It's not a job; it's a lifestyle.

What ringtone do you have on your cel?

KEVIN RUDOLF f. LIL WAYNE "LET IT ROCK."