10 Questions with ... Dave Einstein

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Programmed WHFS from the beginning of its progressive stance until late 1989. My run in the record business began as Mid-Atlantic Regional Promo for RCA, then National East Coast Rock and Triple A Promo for Mercury, to Rykodisc/Palm Pictures Head of Promotion, to Gavin Triple A Editor, to Head of Promotion for RCA Victor, then Radio Promotion for Commercial Music Group, and now as Sr. Dir./National Promotion for Concord Music Group.

1. What got you interested in the record business?

I got into radio because that was the first source of new music for me when I was a kid. When the radio I was doing became less music-intensive, I jumped into the record business to get closer to the music.

2. Tell us about your years in radio before you jumped the fence.

I needed a job after I got out of the Army. My father worked for WHFS and offered me a job working there until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. Plan B turned into Plan A.

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

"No Myth" by Michael Penn for RCA.

Wow ... what hasn't changed since 1989? The evolution of cell phones, Blackberries, wireless, websites, broadband, mp3s, iPods, Facebook, Twitter, streaming, etc. Almost everything about the way music is made, distributed, promoted and used has changed. It feels odd to still call it "the record business".

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

When an artist or song that you believe is great, and eventually connects with people.

5. What is the toughest part of your job?

It's tough when you work hard on breaking a song and it just doesn't go as far as you think it should. It's learning to let go.

6. What may surprise people the most about Concord Record Group?

Triple A radio only sees a portion of what CMG is about. Please go to concordmusicgroup.com and see for yourself. Outstanding releases in every genre imaginable ... Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Jazz Vocal, Pop, Rock, Bluegrass, Roots/Americana, R&B, Blues, Soul, Classical, World and Latin. If I left one out, you can bet it's there.

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

I would like to see an end to financial leveraging and the consolidation that follows in the business as a whole.

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

Don't know that I've ever done anything wild to get an add. I try to understand where each station is going formatically and give them the best information and service I can.

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

If you really want to do it, don't give up.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

That I'm 28 years old!

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

I like to read, walk in the woods, watch birds and go out on my boat in the summer.

Last non-industry job:

Bus boy at the Gettysburg Holiday Inn while in college

First record ever purchased:

Elvis Presley "Mystery Train" -- "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" was the B side.

First concert:

Ray Charles and his Orchestra at the Lyric Theatre in Baltimore

Favorite band of all-time:

There are so many -- right now I'm listening to a lot of The Band and The Clash.