Robb Feinstein is a music junkie.
Ever since he was youngster he's wanted to be a rock star.
Though that dream hasn't come true, the 29-year-old Rochester resident still is living a rocker's life.
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Feinstein is a road merchandise manager for Signatures Network, a company that distributes promotional merchandise (T-shirts, action figures, etc.) for acts like Aaron Carter, Kiss and PJ Harvey, to name a few.
At different times in his career Feinstein has handled merchandising for each of these acts and others. Specifically, he is in charge of keeping track of merchandise sold at concerts and getting it from venue to venue.
Recently insider caught up with Feinstein in Los Angeles where he was on tour with Harvey.
How does one get into the music business?
I always tell people you have to start at the very bottom and work your way up 'cause there is no schooling or degree that can get you hired. You have to know somebody and prove your worth.
How did you get into merchandising?
Back in 1992-ish I started selling T-shirts at Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center. … In about 1995 or so they put me in charge of their merchandise, and I did that until about 2000.
(At that time) I also started working for Clear Channel (a concert promoter) locally, so I got to know a lot of people who were on the road. They would always ask me, ‘Why don't you go on the road?' And I'd always say: ‘No.'
Why?
I was married (at the time).
I can't imagine this profession is conducive to married life.
That's the biggest negative.
When and who did you first tour with?
I was an assistant (to the merchandising manager) on (the) Aaron Carter tour (2001).
Where did it go from there?
I was out there for like two weeks, and it was a really busy time of year and (Signatures Network) called the person that I was assisting and they asked how I was doing. … He said I was doing well so they put me on my own tour. … They gave me Billy Idol … (and) it lasted about a month. I did well with that and they gave me Dwight Yoakam, and I did that for about two and a half years.
How important is networking in your career?
It's huge. You have to build your reputation, and that's what I did on (tour with) Dwight Yoakam.
How did you get hooked up with Kiss?
My company was ready to move someone up to the big time, and it was my turn.
Do you think you paid your dues?
Absolutely. … Even more so before I went on the road … I had to work jobs that I hated to do this on the side.
Any jobs in particular?
I'd just say things that I didn't want to be doing. Low-paying jobs that I wasn't interested in.
How much of your job is one-on-one with the band?
It depends on the band. Some groups are more accessible than others.
How one-on-one is Kiss?
They didn't have a lot of questions for me, but I would definitely see them every day.
What's the strangest Kiss paraphernalia you sell?
I wasn't selling them on the road, but through the Web site you can buy coffins. … On the road it was pretty standard, but there are about 20 different shirts to choose from, including a $70 sweatshirt.
What's the hottest item?
Our business is based on the short-sleeved black T-shirt.
Does it take a certain someone to make it in this type of career?
Absolutely, because you are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week for four months at a time.
What satisfaction do you get — besides the money — from doing what you do?
I definitely enjoy it. I enjoy being in a different city every day. I enjoy having friends all over the country. … At home you and everyone else that has a job has work friends … my work friends are in Dallas, Seattle and San Francisco.
Is this tops for you, or do you have bigger plans for your career?
I want to do this for maybe another 10 years, and I want to continue doing even bigger bands.
You've gotta witness some really interesting stuff in this type of profession. Care to share a story or two?
Sometimes when I'm on a tour I get to ride the bus with the crew. Other times there isn't room, so I'd have to drive separate. … One time I was driving a 24-foot truck from Idaho Falls … (and) we had to go overnight to Missoula, Mont.
… Right as we crossed the Montana border the truck broke down. … It just died right there on the side of the road. We called … the trucking company's emergency hotline, and they sent up some guy … he checked out the truck, and he said, ‘You dropped a valve. Your truck isn't going anywhere.' … I told him … we had to get there and asked what we could do. He said, ‘Why don't you just take my truck, man?' … At this point he didn't even know my name.
… So, I threw five boxes (of merchandise) in his truck and drove 100 miles an hour to get to the show.
… He let me take the truck (to Boise) and didn't want anything for it.
