10 Questions with ... Frank Murray

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started off in college radio in Boston at WRBB. Then served as Black Singles Chart editor for the late Record World Magazine. Major label stints included Epic, Capitol, Hollywood and a couple of years with the legendary Vince Pellegrino at. S.I.N. Next month I celebrate my 10th anniversary here at Robbins.

1) You work for a small label that has given us some major pop hits. What are your current projects?

Our bread and butter has been crossing our Dance hits to Top 40. Making noise now are M'Black "Heartbreak," Reina "Just Let Go," Dana Rayne "Overload," Samantha "U-Turn" and Bastien Laval f. Layla "Restlessness."

2) Apollo Drive represents a new flava for Robbins, in that you have a Pop/Rock project for the first time. How have you changed your strategy -- if at all -- for this song?

We're going after all the folks who wouldn't play Cascada.

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

After Record World folded I was unemployed for six months (and not since!) and I was offered an opportunity to head up Dance Promotion for Quality Records America, the U.S. division of the Canadian label. One thing led to another and all these years later I've managed to create the illusion I know what I'm doing.

4) What is your favorite part of the job?

Hands down, breaking a new artist ... and a close second, speaking to all the great programmers who still take my calls.

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

I must mention two. D.H.T. "Listen To Your Heart," because it went to #1 at Top 40, and DJ Sammy "Heaven," because we competed with an already established version, beat them and went Top 10. THANK YOU, Cubby Bryant!

6) What's been the most frustrating?

Apollo Drive. I thought all you needed was a great song. What a dope.

7) What's the worst excuse you ever heard from a programmer?

Too many too mention, but my favorite is when I am told they will NEVER play the record, then they play it and it becomes a smash for them.

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

WABC, WNBC and WPST.

9) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?

Late '70s. #1 was Linda Ronstadt. James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Pink Floyd ... and the song would be The Emotions "Best Of My Love," which always brightened my mood when it came on the radio.

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

Be prepared to roll with the changes because this business is doing so at warp speed. Be persistent, not pushy, and mind your manners.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Taller.