ponytail

n. an executive of a music recording company, especially a music label’s A&R (artists and repertory) representative. Subjects: English, Music, Slang

Editorial Note: This term is a metonym. A popular depiction of music label reps is of a past-his-prime man who wears a ponytail to demonstrate his hipness and credibility with the younger generation.

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Citations: 1994 Usenet: tor.arts (June 30) “Toronto Music Scene—06.30”: Band are demo-less and less than a dozen gigs old when swarmed by slavering ponytails from every major label. 1995 Usenet: eye.news (Feb. 1) “Indie Eye: Subtractor”: Canadians Showcasing Internationally will promote yr material from the dreaded Canada Booth, then provide you with a contact list of just which ponytail scarfed your merchandise. 1996 [Stompbox] Usenet: alt.punk (Jan. 27) “Re: NOFX: is this punk? or is it just good obnoxious fun?”: Being that we are talking record industry types it may make NOFX next years most sought after band. I can hear a bunch of ponytails covering their cellular phones and saying “alright…when are these guys coming to town?” 1998 [Neile Graham] Usenet: fa.music.ecto (Nov. 10) “Susan Court News”: Squeezed past all those big label A&R ponytails to get airplay on Seattle’s KMTT 103.7 FM. 2006 David Marchese Village Voice (New York City) (Jan. 9) “Onward Into the Audioscape”: In ponytail parlance, I don’t hear a hit, and the decaffeinated reaction to the lead single, the “Peter Gunn” homage “Juicebox,” suggests that I’m not alone. *2006 Obscure.co.nz (New Zealand) (Jan. 16) “Clinton Smiley”: Currently he’s working as creative director, A&R pony-tail and admin bitch for Capital Recordings.

Posted 17 Jan 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend