episode 15: George Gilbert – From Record Store Clerk to Regional Radio Promoter

Syracuse University’s WAER-FM, with a history of on-air personalities including the young Lou Reed and sportscaster Bob Costas, was one of the few college radio stations in the country reporting their playlists to Billboard Magazine in the early seventies. As such, music director George Gilbert became a key target of promotions departments at every record label, big and small. After graduation, George used his network of industry contacts to procure the newly-created position of Radio Promoter of Southern New England at Elektra/Asylum Records.

Listen to part one of George Gilbert’s two part interview as he discusses the advent of the AOR format, learning to use leverage to convince disc jockeys to play albums, and rising to become one of the top radio promoters in the Northeast. Exclusively on Between the Liner Notes.

episode 5: Jeff Rabhan – Chair of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music

When a fateful timeshare tour in Sedona Arizona lead to a chance meeting with the then-unknown singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, Jeff Rabhan became her manager and helmed Branch’s meteoric rise to stardom. Michelle’s success launched Jeff’s career as one of the top artist managers in the world, with a client roster soon including artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Everlast, and Kelis. Rabhan’s company Three Ring Projects released Elliott Yamin’s debut album independently and broke the record for most units sold by an independent artist.

Currently, Jeff serves as Chair of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and uses his experience to guide students through the treacherous and ever-changing waters of the music industry.  Listen to Jeff Rabhan share his stories and hard fought wisdom exclusively on Between the Liner Notes.