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10 Questions with ... Noah Sheer
May 27, 2008
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NAME:Noah SheerPOSITION:Sr. Dir./PromotionCOMPANY:Island Def JamBORN:Silver Spring, MDRAISED:Potomac, MD
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Jive Records: Intern ... 1995
Capitol Records: College Rep ... 1995-1996
ICM: Agent Training Program (glorified mailroom employee) ... 1996-1997
Arista Records: Promotion Assistant ... 1998-2000
Island Def Jam: DC Regional Manager ... 2000-2004; Senior Director Promotion ... 2004-Current1. What was your first job in the business?
My first job in the business was working for ICM in the Agent Training Program. I walked in on my first day in a full suit and they sent me out delivering packages all over the city on a hot summer day ... it's safe to say I have never worn a suit to work since!
2. A couple of years ago, you transitioned from East Coast to West Coast. What was the toughest part of the move?
The toughest part of the move from the East to the West was getting acclimated to the West Coast culture.
3. What's the biggest way that your job of record promotion has changed over the last 3 years?
Practically going fully digital and having to carry a larger workload.
4. Which Rhy-Crossover PD or MD have you been working with the longest?
Not sure if this question was plural ... but here's a list of a few: Thea Mitchem - WUSL, Dan Hunt - WWKX, Dion Summers - XM, JD Kunes - WCKX, , Shaggy - WNVZ, Tap Money - WJMH, Chase - KDHT, and D.J. Lopez - KKSS.
5. What's the first job related thing you do in the morning?
Pull the numbers!
6. Do you have any musical "guilty pleasures"?
I wouldn't call them "guilty pleasures" ... because there is no guilt felt for being in to a different format than what I am currently responsible for on a day to day basis. I'm heavy in to Reggae and Jazz ... so I listen to the likes of Augustus Pablo, Alborosie, Peter Tosh, John Holt, Horace Silver, Cannonball Adderley, Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, etc.
7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?
I have had many mentors in this business, so with that being said I'd like to refer to the people of have had the greatest impact on helping me gather together the necessary skill sets needed to excel. When I first started at Arista Records it was Mark Rizzo, Etoile Zisselman, and Richard Palmese. Then I met Ken Lane at Arista and he was responsible for getting me over to Island Def Jam. Ken guided me through the topsy turvey world of Regional Promotion, and primed me perfectly for a national gig. While at IDJ, I was fortunate enough to have met and worked with the likes of Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Julie Greenwald, Jim Capparo, John Esposito, Marthe Reynolds, Mike Easterlin, Erik Olesen, Stu Bergen and Mike Kyser. When they departed for different pastures ... I remained here at IDJ and was given the unbelievable chance to work with the amazing music minds of LA Reid, Steve Bartels, and Rick Sackheim. It has been here at IDJ, in my current capacity, that Rick Sackheim has really stepped up and shown me the ins and outs of being the most effective promotion person I can possibly be. Lastly I would be remiss if I did not mention Mr. Vince Pellegrino, for without his guidance I would probably not be typing this paragraph.
8. After a long day in the office with Sackheim, Erik Olesen and 30 PDs and MDs in your ear, what do you do to relax?
Only having 30 PDs and MDs in my ear would be relaxing ... lol! On the real ... I split it up. Most of the time I go to the gym and play basketball ... however if I'm not playing hoops, I am with my wife cooking dinner and catching up on what I missed from not being with her the entire day.
9. What new artist(s) will radio still be playing in 5 years?
DUFFY
10. What's on the way from Island Def Jam?
New artists such as Karina, Git Fresh, Jarvis, Willy Northpole, and Razah. From our established artists ... a new Luda project, a new LL Cool J project, a new Nas project, a new Jadakiss project, a new Ne-Yo album, and one can only hope for a new Juelz Santana project (fingers crossed).
Bonus Questions
Which programmer that you work with, could you clearly see having a successful career...in record promotion?
Gee Spin - WJMN/Boston
Sushi & sake or beer & pizza?
Can I please have both? -
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