10 Questions with ... Eric Gottlieb

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started my career in high school playing in and booking local shows before attending Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY (class '06) where I received a Bachelor's of Music and minored in music business. My college summers were spent managing independent rock bands from tours to promo to everything in between ... sleeping in vans and on people's couches, hanging out in college radio stations, learning about different markets, how to write a proper press release and how to handle myself in a professional manner.

From '07 to '08, I was an intern for AAM Promo and then Beggars Group; later that year I became assistant radio promoter for Organic Entertainment, a boutique artist management, marketing and promotion company. In 2010, I started as an assistant programmer for Music Choice working under Pop PD Mike Herald and Adult Alternative MD Tiffany McPherson; in 2011 I took over Adult Alternative programming, as well as many other channels; in 2014 my position grew to include video on demand programming and video playlisting. In 2016 I became MD for the Alternative channel and oversaw the build out of music programming for the affiliate marketing needs at Comcast - Music Choice's largest cable partner, launched the online Alt R&B online station and lobbied to get the Triple A channel on Mediabase. After leaving Music Choice in 2017, I spent some time consulting on bands' projects, brushing up on digital marketing, traveling, and recording music in my own band. Now I'm here!

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up listening to 90.1 WUSB (Stonybrook University radio) and various specialty shows on commercial radio, which opened the whole music spectrum to me. When I started touring in bands during college, we inevitably wound up doing in-studio visits -- I was always fascinated with what was happening in the studio, behind the microphone. Specialty and non-commercial radio played a big part in music discovery for me and still does.

2. Who are your mentors?

Matt Harmon, Mike Herald, Karen Durkot, Brad Hunt, Ed Pinka have all had unique advice or a significant impact at various crossroads in my career. That said, I love talking to people in the business in general and always appreciate when someone shares a pearl of wisdom.

3. How would you describe the music on WFUV?

Always evolving, always authentic. We have Aloe Blacc, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Christine & The Queens, Kamasi Washington, Middle Kids, Cautious Clay and John Prine, all in the mix for example.

4. How are the music meetings conducted?

Battle Royale.

5. Are you doing an air shift at WFUV?

No plans to.

6. What new bands are you most excited about?

Mikaela Davis, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, plus Shannon Shaw's new record, Shannon In Nashville, Natalie Prass' The Future And The Past, and Anderson.Paak's new single "Bubblin'" is hopefully teasing a new record.

7. What duties fall under APD at WFUV?

Executing the strategic goals of PD Rita Houston and the station's overall vision. On a day-to-day basis, I work closely with the content team, managing air staff schedules and programs, plus coordinating with Production Director Sarah Wardrop on broadcasts and features like FUV Essentials. In addition, brainstorming and cooking up some new upcoming programs TBA.

8. What is your typical day like?

Awesome. My typical day is awesome.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...

... Willie Nelson and coffee.

10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?

I've taken night and weekend classes plus extended education courses in the culinary arts and management for the last decade. So, if anyone has 150 grand floating around call me.

Last non-industry job:

I think I hold the record for shortest amount of time in the NYPD.

First record ever purchased:

Fugazi End Hits.

First Concert:

Fugazi; Spring of 2000, Congress Hotel, Tucson AZ.

Favorite Band Of All-Time:

CCR, but I like the album "Here, My Dear" by Marvin Gaye more than anything. And some days it's Peggy Lee.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

I play drums in a soul band called Brandi & the Alexanders and we have a record coming out at some point. So, if anyone has 150 grand floating around, again, call me.