Just found this interview I did with Nashville City Paper's "City Confidential" series on October 1, 2002. As somebody who is often on the "asking" side of interviews, I thought it was interesting. Definitely gave me some good ideas for questions to use on Music Business Radio.
The reason I'm posting it here is because I think it's good for all people, regardless of profession, to evaluate where they are, where they've been, and the plan for where they're going. And since I do that myself, I'll be posting something tomorrow with my current thoughts on these questions and the interview in general.
But for now, the old interview...
David Hooper
Master marketer reveals the man behind the Web site, music, book David Hooper has made a living for himself helping musicians find an audience. At 29, he�s already a marketing wizard and knows the ins and outs of the tumultuous music business from the perspective of an artist as well as savvy scene hound. After being involved with a band that was well promoted but lacking musically, he has since written a book on how to make money as an independent musician titled How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent) and is the point person for the second annual Nashville New Music Conference (2NMC) to be held in October.
INSIDE INFO
What dreams have you had to let go of or put on the back burner?
I don't know that there are any. People change and so do goals. I have
a lot of stuff on the back burner now because I think of new projects
almost constantly, and there simply aren't enough hours in the day to
get them all done right away. I have a lot of patience though.
What CDs are currently in your player?
Best of Con Funk Shun Volume 2, Gap Band IV, Dag Nasty's Four on the Floor, a CD-R I burned of white label dance mixes from Gnutella, and an audio book about marketing called Unleashing the Idea Virus.
If you could invite three celebrities for a slumber party, who would they be?
I've
met a ton of celebrities, and most of them are pretty shallow and I get
bored really easily. So I'd have to get some that I know could
entertain me for the night and wouldn't be airheads. I'd love to have
Jesus over and also Paul and Jan Crouch from TBN. Jesus and I could
then start asking the hard questions like how is it that she is able to
cry on command and who paid for their $5 million home.
Finish this sentence, "I'd rather be drug through cactus naked than ___."
Punch a clock.
If you could have a talent you don't already have, what would it be?
Can't think of anything. I got this goal planner about a year ago and
started filling it out, but I only got about three pages in and
realized that there really isn't anything that I'm in need of.
What should the title of your autobiography be?
When it comes to books, I always think in terms of Amazon.com and what people will be searching for. My first book was called How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent) because I wanted to get as many search words in the title as I could in order to grab people who were looking for something like "music business" but had never heard of my book. So, I'd have to come up with a title that used a lot of really popular words in order to get the most people to at least be aware I existed. It would be something like 10 Stupid Things 7 Highly Effective Rich Dads Do While Making Chicken Soup for the Poor Dad's Soul.
How do you reconnect with your soul?
Lots of yoga and meditation.
What is the strangest thing you eat?
Wild Oats has these really good, vegetarian Rocky Mountain oysters.
They use couscous and soy protein instead of testicles. It's really
good with a little hot sauce.
How do you want the world to remember you?
This isn't something I'm worried about. I'll be dead.
Who should play the part of you in a movie?
I'm a behind-the-scenes guy, so it would have to be one of those documentary type films where you hear the guy, but never see his face. Any voiceover guy could handle the part, I'm sure.
What do you worry about?
Nothing.
I've learned that I'm not in control over much and it's all inevitable.
What is your greatest success?
I wake up every morning and I can't believe people pay me to do what I do.
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