10 Questions with ... Dan Connelly

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• Capitol Music Group (EMI): 2008-present
• Blue Note Records (EMI): 2007-2008
• EMI Music Collective (EMI): 2003-2007
• Astralwerks (EMI): 2002-2003
• Palm Pictures/RykoPalm: 2000-2002
• Virgin Records: 1999- 2000
• Island Records: 1996-1999
• Bar-None Records: 1996
• Prospective Records (Twin-Tone) -- Summers: 1993-1995

1. What got you interested in the record business?

My best friend's father's record collection got me into records ... then in 1995 at Slain Castle in Ireland an artist named Criggy O'Reilly convinced me to give the music business a go.

2. Who are your mentors?

Greg Thompson, Kevin Carroll and Paul Langton.

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

99 1/2 WLOL: Hines & Berglund ... and Roger Too! The best morning show!

4. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?

The greatest pleasure comes from the people you work with.

5. Do you have a favorite market you like to visit and why?

Minneapolis/St. Paul (home town)

6. What is the toughest part of your job?

Time management. Period.

7. Who do you see as the next breakthrough artist for the label?

Two artists that come to mind: Hockey and V V Brown. Both are set up to have a great 2010.

8. Biggest change that you'd like to see in the business?

I'd like to see a large-scale return to local, educated and passionate retail locations. More record stores!

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

Coffee, seltzer and Sudoku.

10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

I was a Political Science/Policy Studies Major at Syracuse University (Maxwell School of Citizenship). I would be in Washington, DC, working at a Think Tank for policy initiatives. Maybe, someday?

Why do people call you Love Daddy?

Because I believe kindness can go a long way.

Last non-industry job:

A PA Jon for the Herb Ritz/Melanie Griffin Revlon photo shoot (1999)

First record ever purchased:

The Who - "Who's Next" (Used vinyl from Cheapo Records/St. Paul, MN)

First concert: Paul Simon's

"Graceland Tour," Minneapolis

Favorite band of all-time:

A Tie Between: Wilco, Gomez, The Flaming Lips, Spoon and Townes Van Zandt to start. Also John Prine and Randy Newman ... more to follow.