10 Questions with ... Jason Martin

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 1988 - KSIQ/Mexicali (pop), DJ
• 1988 - 91 91X (Manager, Production)
• 1991 - 93 Rhino/RNA (Manager, Promotion)
• 1993 - 94 Constantine Consulting (asst)
• 1994 - early 95 W.A.R.? Records (Manager, Promotion)
• 1995 - late 99 RCA Records (Denver local, then Product Manager in NYC)
• 2000 - present Roadrunner, RRP, Elektra Music Group (VP, Promotion)

1. What got you interested in the record business?

After graduating high-school, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do for a living. I did know I've always had an appreciation for music and wanted to be around it in some way. Being 18 you really have no idea what direction to go in so I decided I wanted to be a DJ ... seemed cool to me. My grandfather thought I was aiming way too high and wanted me to be a brick mason with him. I heard a Top 40 station out in the middle of the desert, Mexicali, CA, was hiring overnights. I drove out, interviewed with the owner, and after 20 minutes he said, "Come back Saturday. You got 10p to 6a, pays $5 bucks an hour." After driving 240 miles round trip, taxes, and my nightly six-pack of Jolt cola, I may have made 15 bucks a night. It was worth every penny in experience.

2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

When I was very young, I listened to The Mighty 690. However, that changed in the 8th grade (1983) when 91X flipped from AOR to The Cutting Edge of Rock. My love of Alternative really caught fire after that. That was the ONLY station me and my pals would listen to. To get a job there at 19 was an amazing experience. That was in 1988 when radio still had a crazy cast of characters. It was a terrific time in my life. I worked with some of the best: Kevin Stapleford, Mike Halloran, Oz Medina, Bill Corkery, Robin Roth, Dred Scot, Steve West, Jeff Gibson, etc ... All completely different people, in just about every way, except for their connection to music and that station.

3. You must be very excited about the reimagined Elektra Music Group!

Indeed I am. I'm sure all of the Elektra staffers feel the same. I grew up with Elektra being a powerhouse in the industry. Having an opportunity to be part of this launch is very exciting. We have the rare luxury of starting with an incredible roster, fantastic leadership in Easterlin and Nadel, and a staff that has years of experience.

4. What Triple A acts on the label are you most excited about?

I'm excited about each and every one of them. We have so much talent for the Triple A format: Brandi Carlile, Anderson East, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Kaleo, Brent Cobb, Young the Giant, Sturgill Simpson, etc ... Brian Corona (the Mayor of Triple A) has done an incredible job breaking so many of our acts, and really, truly, making my job that much easier. I can't thank him enough for all his support during this transition.

5. What was the first record you worked to radio and what has been the biggest change since you first began doing radio promotion?

I believe the first single I worked was a Steve Wynn single to the CMJ panel. At that time, I was Tom Kenny and Greg Seese's assistant/college rep at Rhino/RNA. Although technology has changed an incredible amount since 1991, at the end of the day, we as promotion people still succeed based on the music and our relationships.

6. What's the wildest thing you ever did to get "the add" at a station?

Two words: EL PASO. Can't say much about it but all readers need to know is it happened in El Paso in the '90s. Anyone who's ever worked El Paso back in the day understands the wild times in that West Texas town.

7. Things are changing rapidly in our business. Were it up to you, what would you change in our "system" to give your bands a better shot?

Good question that doesn't have a simple answer. I do feel we are our own worst enemy when it comes to the amount of music labels are releasing. Some labels are more guilty than others. I feel when labels distribute an endless river of singles, it really hinders our ability to develop acts. Because we are a streaming-based business now, I don't see this changing as volume is the key to survival for many labels.

8. What would surprise people most about you?

Two things: A) I grew up in poverty in East San Diego. People always seem to be surprised by that, and B) that I have eight-year-old triplets and a 21-year-old college student ... I'm taking the Roland West route to fatherhood!

9. What is your best advice for up-and-coming promotion reps?

I know this is going to sound very old man of me, but pick up the phone! It's the best arrow you have in your quiver to succeed. I feel too often younger reps prefer to communicate via text and e-mail (both of which are very important) but a phone call every now and then really helps when conveying an important message.

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

... talking to my kids and wife and listening to NPR.

Last non-industry job:

Cabinet builder/brick mason/honey extractor/sail boat cleaner.

First record ever purchased:

Van Halen I (still a classic!!)

First concert:

The Kinks, Come Dancin' Tour 1983 (maybe 82). San Diego Sports Arena

Favorite artist of all-time:

Johnny Cash

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

At this time it's playing with my kids. That may/will change when they become teens.