245
into town to do a commercial and we were up
talking until eleven at night, straight-
ening out the employment
situation."
POINTERS FOR THE JOB SEARCH
Volunteer to work on a committee or help with an
event to learn more about the
organization, and for them to become familiar
with your work habits and abilities.
Previous experience in the music industry is
helpful.
RANDY HIMES, ASSISTANT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF SOUND
RECORDINGS, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION
AND RADIO ARTISTS
(AFTRA)
"I love music," says Randy Himes. "My mother
was an organist in the Methodist
Church since she was 13 years old and her side
of the family is all very musical. I sang
in a quartet while growing up in Rockford,
[Illinois]." In his youth, Himes learned to
play piano, played in rock bands, and devoted
eight years to the French horn. He
enrolled in the recording industry management
program at Middle Tennessee State
University with the intention of becoming a
recording engineer. After graduating, he
sent out resumes and worked at a gas station in
Murfreesboro, Tennessee while trying
to get a music industry job. A regular
customer, who was a local deejay, found out
about Himes' interest and recommended him for
an interview with the head of the
Nashville AFTRA office. Following a marathon
three-hour interview to ensure that he
did not want to pursue a performing career,
Himes was hired in 1978 as a local field
representative.
CASE STUDY:
THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS
JOB:
"What I like the least is the politics that
occur in every industry organiza-
tion."
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB:
"I like seeing a need and finding a solution.
I'm very goal oriented. I like
to see results. With a lot of activities we do
have closure. You can negotiate
a contract, see it through, and then see the
performers working under it."
VOICES
OF
EXPERIENCE
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