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10 Questions with ... Lisa Sonkin
October 19, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Internships: WBMX/Chicago (late '80s Urban AC), WTTS (yes, I was there before Brad and Laura) and WBWB in Bloomington, IN. Then at Bonneville Broadcasting doing production, music and client Services -- WTMX/Chicago (Bonneville) as MD and Continuity Director. Then I moved over to the label side at Elektra Entertainment from '93-'04 doing national Triple A, Public Radio, Smooth Jazz and New Media. I joined Song in 2004.
Last non-industry job:
Production Assistant for a children's television program in Chicago.
First record ever purchased:
Had to be a Monkees record or some Broadway musical.
First concert:
Ben Vereen.
Favorite band of all-time:
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.
1. What got you interested in the record business?
Music and radio.
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
WXRT/Chicago.
3. What has been your biggest career highlight?
Being backstage at a Springsteen show with my brother.
4. Do you have a favorite market you like to visit and why?
My sweet home Chicago.
5. What is the toughest part of your job?
Time management.
6. What was the first record you worked to radio?
The Story's "The Angel in the House."
7. What has been the biggest change since you first began doing radio promotion?
The biggest change has to be dealing with monitored airplay.
8. Every promotion person has a record close to their heart that for one reason or another never broke through. What is your "One That Got Away," and what did you learn from that record?
"California" by the Scott Thomas Band. I learned a lot from this one, but it proved that careers can't happen overnight. Artists need to tour. This artist would have benefited from living life on the road.
9. Too many records, too few slots. What data seems to be most important to you when jockeying for an open slot on a radio station and why?
Every station is different. It's about knowing the stations and understanding what is most important to them.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______.
Drinking tea, seeing my kids and listening to The Avett Brothers.
Bonus Questions
What would surprise people most about you?
I have my own tool kit and I fix things in my home all by myself.
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