10 Questions with ... Dontay Thompson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KWIN/Stockton 1995-1999
• KXJM/Portland 1999-2002
• Radio & Records 2002-2005
• Sirius Satellite Radio 2004-2005
• J Records 2005-2008
• Bad Boy Records 2008-2009
• Entertainment One 2011-Present

1. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

A private investigator or correctional officer. DON'T JUDGE!

2. You started in radio, then to a trade and eventually into music promotion. What initially got you interested in radio?

Being honest it was the music that radio played. In the late 90's you would always hear your favorite artists new songs on the radio first. There was always something compelling to me about that and wanting to know what that process entailed. I loved the fact that working in radio allowed me to be surrounded by individuals who were passionate about music.

To this day, there is no better feeling then hearing an amazing sounding song and playing it for the first time Once I started at KWIN and found out about record labels and how closely they were responsible for the music and the artists who created it, I figured that was where I would eventually be.

3. Wasn't your first label gig with J Records and Clive Davis? What was it like working for/with such a legend?

It sure was! Those that know Clive and have worked for him knows he always surrounded himself with the best individuals in the business. To me, it gets no better than having Clive Davis, Richard Palmese (EVP Promotion) and Micheal Williams(SVP Rhythm Promotion) teaching me strategy and execution to get our records to the top of the charts. All of these individuals expected you to do your job and be prepared for solutions. It made me get to this point in my career and I will always be grateful to those guys for helping me get to this point.

4. I know it's been awhile but what was the biggest change in the move from Los Angeles to New York?

The only challenge at the time was getting used to the cold weather, which to me was minute. There is no city in the world that has so much to offer. Los Angeles is home but New York has my heart.

5. With your history in radio and record promotion, who were some of your mentors?

I already have mentioned Richard and Michael on the records side. Michael Williams was a mentor that helped me learn the record business but also taught me to invest in myself on a personal level. There's also Rick Sackheim and Gary Marella, who were regionals when I was a Music Director at KWIN. These two guys would promote me on their projects but would also explain to me why things were the way they were. This helped me get a better understanding of how their business worked.

On the radio side John Christian give me my shot when he was PD at KWIN and would eventually hire me at KXJM. Without him believing in me, I may not be doing this interview. Mark Adams really invested in me once he became PD at KXJM and helped me grow not only in radio but as a person. To this day I consider him a great friend. Last but not least there is Ebro Darden, who I learned about the culture of the radio and records business. From our time working at KXJM and moving to NYC at the same time, we did a lot of things good and bad that helped us evolve.

6. How much time are you spending on the road now?

Usually two weeks out of the month give or take. I don't believe you can do radio promotion sitting at your desk. There is too much competition so programmers need to see you.

7. Who gave you the nickname "Pretty Boy" Dontay?

It was given to me by CK, who was the night jock at KWIN while I was an intern. He used to make jokes about the name in the hallways at the station. Never did I imagine it would be something I would be calling myself. At times, he would have me in the studio answering his phones and would say "I got Pretty Boy Dontay answering the phones" prior to him giving out the request line number. Listeners would call up the station asking, "Is this Pretty Boy Dontay?" Once I got my own show doing overnights at KWIN, I was excited because I thought I could come up with my own name. Then PD, John Christian, told me I had to stick with Pretty Boy Dontay because listeners already knew me by that name and the rest is history. LOL!

8. What's on the way from eOne?

We have a few new artists we are focused on breaking such as Skeme, KUR, Nicky D's and XUITCASECITY. There Ryan Hemsworth, who's a DJ and record producer, that we manage. He has a new song out called "Hunnid" featuring E-40 and Yakki that I'm really excited about. We will also have new music before the end of the year from Game and hopefully DJ Drama. Lastly, we will have new singles from Lil Kim and Wu Tang. Let that sink in for a second.

9. Do you have a favorite restaurant outside of New York? (One restaurant that you make a point to go to whenever you're in that market?)

Of course I do! I love food. Whenever I'm in L.A. I make a point to go to Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks. I just never get tired of that place. Plus, for L.A., it's open late so that helps!

10. If you were still in radio programming today, what would be the most important metric that you looked at when thinking about putting a new record into rotation?

Does the streets/clubs still count as a metric? You have to be out there with your P1's to see what they are feeling and talking about. Having station DJs at community and college events are essential. I feel if you are a programmer JUST looking at charts along with the information provided by the record labels and not considering what's going on in your local community...then how can you consider yourself a Program Director? Anyone can look at a chart, streams, views, etc.

If you weren't in the music business, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?

If you asked me this prior to getting in the business years ago it would be some sort of law enforcement. If you ask me today I would be Anthony Bourdain.

What do you like to do when you have a little spare time?

Spare time? That's foreign.

If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?

Beat Shazam. I would win!