AristoVideo‘s Visual Content Specialist, Corey Rice, joined AristoMedia from Curb Records where he served as Tape Services Coordinator. In between his three and a half years with the label, he served in the United States Peace Corps from 2011-2013 in Albania. During his time there, he hosted a radio program about American music that was broadcast in Albania, Montengro, and Kosovo and led a national promotional tour for Judo and youth involvement in sports. For his efforts, he was awarded an honorary black belt from the Albanian Judo Federation. In 2010, he graduated from Belmont University with a BBA in Music Business. During his time there, he competed on the debate team and was Vice-President of the Student Leadership Council. His passions include the future of music, digital technology, cycling, and urban theory. Rice will serve as Visual Content Specialist and will focus on the use of visual mediums to support brand identity, follower growth and calls to action.
Q: Where is your hometown? And why did you decide to come to Nashville?
A: Sugar Land, Texas. No affiliation with the band, except that I think they played a free show on the town square once. I came here to attend Belmont University.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you?
A: In the Peace Corps, I hosted a radio show about American music in Albanian.
Q: What is your favorite Nashville eatery?
A: There are so many good places now, I’d have to say Arnold’s although the tourists have taken over.
Q: What is your favorite music venue? (Anywhere)
A: Fav music venue would probably have to be Cannery Row because I’ve seen so many great shows. The 40 Watt in Athens is really cool too. All this might change too once I get the chance to visit 1st Avenue and 7th Street Entry.
Q: If you could only pick one, what would be your all-time favorite song?
A: Favorite song of all time… I’ll go with Your Little Hoodrat Friend by The Hold Steady
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I enjoy cycling, going to concerts, cooking, and recently I’ve been spending a lot of time learning to code.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Nashville on the weekend?
A: Probably, lead a bike tour around the city, then head over to Samurai Sushi for a good meal before heading to Exit/ In for a show. That’s a great Saturday.
Q: If you could have any super power, what would it be?
A: I would choose hyper-intelligence.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A: I served in the Peace Corps for two years and lead a national tour promoting youth involvement in sports.
Q: What is something interesting that is on your bucket list?
A: Going to venues like 1st Ave and Black Cat are on my bucket list. I also really want to motorcycle from Canada to South America.
Q: What is one type of food that you could not live without?
A: Pizza.
Q: What actor would you want to play you in the movie of your life? Why?
A: I don’t want anyone to make a movie about my life. I’d rather watch a movie about someone else.
Q: If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
A: I really want to go to Mexico. I really want to visit Mexico City and Oaxaca. Not really interested in the resorts though.
Q: How would your friends describe you?
A: I’m pretty sure they’d tell you I was a regular ol’ good dude. If they don’t, I need new friends. lol
Q: What TV or movie series are you obsessed with right now?
A: I really like Silicon Valley. I’ve been getting into The Leftovers too.
Q: What did you ‘want to be when you grew up’ as a kid?
A: I think I wanted to be a fireman so I could start fires as a young kid. I don’t think I really understood the job description.
Q: If time or money weren’t an issue, what would you be doing right now?
A: I’d probably go back to school and study computer programming but that is such a boring answer so I’ll say I’d probably take that motorcycle trip from Canada to Argentina.
Q: What are the top five albums that have shaped your life?
A: This is tough so I’m going with the first 5 that come to mind.
1. Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell (My favorite record from my parent’s collection)
2. Relient K – The Anatomy of Tongue in Cheek (First favorite band and sent me exploring punk music)
3. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America (Second favorite band)
4. Amon Tobin – Bricolage (Fantastic album that I’ll put here to represent a period of listening to a lot of jam bands and jazz music)
5. Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/Love Sounds (The first pop record I listened to extensively and taught me to embrace pop)
Q: An “important” piece of music you just don’t get:
A: I can understand what makes most music appealing except for an occasional pop song like “What Does The Fox Say”. I heard that on the radio one time and got so confused I almost had to pull over.
Q: A television show you can’t miss, but hate to admit you watch:
A: I only watch TV On Demand and I don’t watch much TV so there isn’t much room for guilty pleasures. I do think Bob’s Burger’s is a waste of time but I really like it.
Q: If you could spend the day with any person (living or deceased), who would it be?
A: I’d spend a day hanging out with Kurt Vonnegut. I think he’d be a really interesting and fun person to hang out with. He’d have a lot of really good things to say.
Q: What is your life goal?
A: My life goals are really vague right now, I want to always continue to learn and explore. I also want to be a leader and treat people right. I think that by following those guidelines I will be able to live a happy and accomplished life that I can be proud of.
Q: What is your favorite joke?
A: Why don’t you see elephants hiding in trees? Because they are really good at it!
Q: Daily necessities in your desk drawer, pocket, or purse:
A: Wallet, keys, cell phone. With those three tools, I can do anything.
Q: Favorite thing in your office
A: I have a donkey engraved in a stone that I got in Albania. I find it inspirational.
Q: Take a photo of your favorite coffee mug and explain
A: I’ve got some good mugs at home but my favorite mug at work is this one. Because it looks like he is frozen in surprise of having a hot liquid poured inside him. I find an anthropomorphic coffee mug entertaining.
Corey Rice
Visual Content Specialist
