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10 Questions with ... Dave Morrell
August 20, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started with 45s, moved to albums, 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs and now back to MONO!
1. What got you interested in the record business?
Working in the WEA branch, sitting in on marketing/promotion meetings, I saw how much fun everyone was having and thought, "Hmmmm, this is my kind of job!"
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
WMCA/New York -- they played MORE songs than WABeatleC and it was much easier to get through when I called in.
3. What may surprise people the most about 429/Savoy Records?
We are a multi-format label -- AC, Hot AC, Urban Smooth Jazz, Americana, Jazz, Classical and of course, Triple A!
4. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?
Working with the best creative minds around: Forward thinkers, people who can/want and do make a difference.
5. What is the toughest part of your job?
Multi-tasking ....
6. What new releases are you most excited about?
SMASH MOUTH! We took them to AC with a great team (Rightway Music Group) and in we are already Top 25!
7. What was the first record you worked to radio and what has been the biggest change since you first began doing radio promotion?
"Midnight At The Oasis" by Maria Muldaur -- that was a strange one. Some called it bluesy, some jazzy, some "rootsy" ... it was a stew with a great guitar lick by Famous Amos Garret. WABC/New York had a great run with it.
8. What has been your biggest career highlight?
WABC/New York Top 40 adding Patti Smith Band's "Because The Night." Thank you, Glen Morgan and Bruce Springsteen, who wrote it!
9. How does your label increase exposure of your artists outside of traditional radio promotion?
We have three great young minds, Jennifer, Oren and Jahn, who bring all the new media ideas to each week's meetings. When I see the results on our weekly snapshots, they fill the whole page with ideas the band, management and we can all work with.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... a pause.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
Newark, NJ, working in the graveyard -- they paid cash each week!
First record ever purchased:
The Essex -- "Easier Said Than Done"
First concert:
KING CURTIS -- he opened the show for the Beatles at Shea in '65
Favorite band of all-time:
Beatles Forever -- Hullaballo's Never!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Santa Monica is one of the country's best bicycle-friendly cities. I'm not talkin' 10-speed, I'm talkin' BEACH CRUISER!
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