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10 Questions with ... Steve Chavez
February 27, 2007
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NAME:Steve ChavezPOSITION:Sr Director of Radio PromotionCOMPANY:Asylum RecordsBORN:H-Town, TEJASRAISED:Uh...I was an Army brat. There's not enough space to list it all.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Gleam in my Daddy's eye to Club DJ/bar back/bartender to club promoter to radio mixer to mixshow coordinator to AMD to MD to APD/MD to Crossover Regional for INTERSCOPE to ASYLUM National to World famous sex symbol. Well, maybe not that, but pretty much all other aspects of music business. I'm gonna hit the gym in a bit to work on that last part.
1. What was your first job in the business?
I was the little kid that always took records (yes, we had records back then) to the cake and ice cream parties.
2. You were a regional for many years at Interscope. What's been the biggest difference going from a regional position to a national promotion position?
More conference calls, more stations to deal with, more frequent flyer miles.
3. You're in pretty early in the process of building the Crossover side of Asylum. Was that part of the attraction to the gig?
Absolutely. It's a relatively new label, and we have some big plans, and hot music to compete with the big boys. Lookout!!
4. Which Rhy-Crossover PD or MD have you been working with the longest?
I would say....KBFB/DALLAS PD JOHN CANDELARIA.
5. What's the first job related thing you do in the morning?
Make coffee, pull up spins. At the same time too, I'm pretty talented.
6. You come from a radio background with many stellar years at KTFM/San Antonio. What does that experience mean to you now as a National promotion executive at ASYLUM?
A lot of promotion guys might argue with me, but I really believe that it helps a lot. Most times, I learn a programmer's market, and kind of know where my records do, or don't fit in. I feel that one of my strongest assets is the fact that I can relate to a PD's reasons for not playing a record, and then give him intelligent reasons on why I think he/she should play it. I don't always win, but at least I can present an argument that's better than "so and so station, 1500 miles away from you is getting top 15 callout."
7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?
Ooh, tough one, but I would have to say: My brother CHARLES, NINO CUCCINELLO, FRANCO IEMMELLO, JOHN STRAZZA, DEE SONARAM, MICHAEL WILLIAMS,
JOEY CARVELLO, GARY MARELLA, PETE JONES (editor's note: I swear...I didn't add that)
8. What do you do to relax?
Lots of drinking!! J/k, actually, cooking a nice dinner with my wife, and a nice bottle of wine. Just the two of us.
9. What new artist(s) will radio still be playing in 5?
Unfortuneately, music is so disposable in the 21st century, but there are real artists that shine, like: ROBIN THICKE, CHRIS BROWN, PIT BULL (because this latin thing HAS to catch on), FERGIE, JENNIFER HUDSON, GYM CLASS HEROES, NICOLE (from PCD), all HOUSTON R&B and hip-hop artists, and everyone on ASYLUM!!
10. What's on the way from Asylum?
Lookout for new LIL BOOSIE feat FOXX & WEBBIE - Wipe Me Down, THE ALLIANCE feat. FABO - Tattoo, JR WRITER, CAM'RON, PLAY N SKILLZ, CHINGO BLING, Albums from PAUL WALL, MIKE JONES, LIL FLIP, FABO (from D4L) later this year, and a whole lot more. Like I said, Big Boys watch out, we're coming!!
Bonus Questions
Bonus #1. Which programmer that you work with, could you clearly see following in your footsteps and having a successful career...in record promotion?
I think CINDY HILL from KBBT in SAN ANTONIO is going to be in this business for a long time, on one side or the other. Or maybe STEVIE DEMANN in ORLANDO. He knows how to talk that mess too :-)
BONUS #2. What does the word "Add" mean to you at Asylum?
Not as much as the words "Real Airplay"
BONUS #3. Sushi & sake or Beer & pizza?
Sushi & Sake, or....Fajitas & Margaritas
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