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10 Questions with ... Joe Rainey
November 13, 2007
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NAME:Joe RaineyPOSITION:Sr. Director Pop Promotion/MarketingLABEL:Capitol Records/Capitol Music Group
Please outline your radio career so far:
Sorry, it will be in my autobiography.
1) What led you to this career?
It's perhaps the same answer all of us in this business would say to some degree -- love of music. My first job (other than mowing lawns) was at age16 at Tower Records on Ventura Blvd in L.A., and I was hooked. I HAD to participate in breaking new music -- and that's not necessarily "new" music. I was born in the '70s and I "found" the '60s or Classical or Soul or Dirty South Hip-Hop or whatever -- may not have been new, but new to ME. But I was always into music, and I went through so many phases of falling in love with so many different genres.
2) How would you describe your first gig?
Depends on what stage. In college at UCSB, I did a radio shift for a minute, was promotion coordinator at the Jacor cluster (anyone remember 99.9 KTYD, "ride the tide"?), ran security for the student programming board that brought live shows to campus, then became the booker/promoter, then worked at Goldenvoice Presents. But my first gig in radio promotion was Valerie DeLong's assistant at Universal. That and then becoming a local for Capitol in Charlotte shortly thereafter convinced me my calling was on the frontline of breaking music -- radio promotion. I realize now in hindsight how much I adored radio as a "civilian." The radio went on before the seatbelt!
3) What's been the most significant change in the business since you've been in it?
Very obvious: the digital era. No rant or over-thought diatribe here, and frankly I'm so excited the consumers' appetite for music is as voracious, if not more, as ever, and that's a good thing. Convincing that consumer base that music is intellectual property with inherent value as a commodity is the challenge, and I welcome it. Shit, I lied about the rant thing...
4) What's been your most rewarding project to work?
One word, COLDPLAY.
5) What's been the most frustrating?
Hedley. I never worked with a band who deserved it more than them, and the songs are there! I still can't believe no one got arrested or killed on that promo run. They have been picked up by another label and they will have to pay me a retainer fee! I'm kidding, Ed!
6) What's the longest road trip you've ever been on, and where did it take you?
Okay, I get to be esoteric here ... the road trip of life, and it's taken me to these questions as I watch Dan Marino make fun of Bob Costas' height on Inside The NFL. Oh, go Cowboys, by the way.
7) What is your favorite part of the job?
On the road, pulling up to a red light, looking over at the person in the car next to me, and they're jamming to a song I'm working on the radio, especially if a PD or MD is in my car!
8) What's the worst excuse you ever heard from a programmer?
I don't understand the question. Programmers never make excuses; they just don't return calls. LOL
9) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Coldplay.
10) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
That I'm sarcastic.
Bonus Questions
Which character on a TV series most reflects your personality?
Stewie from "Family Guy." But seriously, the one guy I wanna have a beer with on TV is Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs."
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