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From left: Jose (Metal Ambassador) Manguin, Vincent Usriello. (Provided by Maro Hagopian) Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — What always stands out are the individuals and organizations that take on new challenges and explore entirely new possibilities.
Staten Island’s newest son whose career is on the rise is Vincent Usuriello, senior director of music programming for SXM’s Octane channel in SiriusXM’s state-of-the-art New York studio. He is a perfect example of that.
A behind-the-scenes staff member for one of the world’s most popular hard rock channels, Usuriello was named one of Billboard’s Top 25 Rock Radio Programmers and one of Billboard’s 40 Under 40 in Media. Masu.
He also helped transform Octane, playing from established artists like Metallica to up-and-coming artists breaking through the scene.
Vincent Usuriello (Provided by Maro Hagopian) Staten Island Advance
A little about Usriello
This intelligent musicologist grew up in the Don Ann Hills and Great Kills neighborhoods of Staten Island. He attended St. Christopher Elementary School and then Monsignor Farrell High School.
“My passion for music really started in high school, when I started learning to play the guitar and playing in bands, and that’s when I knew music was going to be a big part of my life. ” Ursuriello said of his illustrious career.
He decided to pursue his passion academically and enrolled at SUNY Oneonta College, where he majored in Music Industry and minored in Audio Art Production.
He began his radio career at the university’s radio station, WONY 90.9FM, where he served as on-air host, public relations director, and local music director. His role there included finding local bands and recording their music in the school’s studio. It’s about getting them on the air.
Vincent Uslieero, second from the left, and a member of the rock group Nothing More. (Courtesy/ParkerYoungPhoto)Staten Island Advance
As a PR director, he hosted weekly remote live broadcasts from local bars and played music as a DJ during happy hour. Additionally, I was responsible for creating and hosting parties and events.
“I was interested in the music industry, so I applied for an internship at SiriusXM and was very happy to be accepted.I did a music programming internship in 2008 and a music production internship in 2009. ” he explained.
In 2010, Usuriello was hired full-time as Music Programming Coordinator.
“During my early years, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of channels, including Octane, E Street Radio, Pearl Jam Radio, Metropolitan Opera, Liquid Metal, Faction, The Joint, and the Music for Business Channel,” he said. . “My experience quickly grew and in 2012 I became an assistant music programmer, focusing on Octane, E Street Radio, Ozzy’s Boneyard, and Pearl Jam Radio.”
His journey with Programming Octane officially began in 2013 when he was promoted to Program Director and given management responsibility for both Octane and E Street Radio.
Over the years, his role continued to expand and in 2021 he became a Senior Director.
From left: Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and Vincent Usuriello. (Provided by Maro Hagopian) Staten Island Advance
He produces the Metal Ambassador podcast and will be launching the Reign In Horror podcast this month. He is also heavily involved in managing Octane’s social media accounts.
Usuriello says one of the most exciting aspects of his role is being a part of the biggest hard rock festival, Welcome to Rockville. Octane is on the scene at the festival, recording interviews and performances with over 50 bands.
“It’s a real honor to be working on a channel that not only provides a platform for discovering new bands, but also helps shape the future of hard rock music,” he continues. “I’m excited for what’s to come and will continue to push the boundaries of hard rock.”
When asked about his proudest moment in his current role, he said he was proud of several milestones in his role as senior director of music programming.
First is the strength of the Octane brand, which has become synonymous with the hard rock scene. He points out that people even use “Octane Core” to describe their favorite bands. “We’re proud that our hosts are now household names in the rock community, and that Octane played a key role in launching the band’s career through early airplay.”
Usuriello just launched a new SiriusXM channel called “Dad Rock.” This channel features nostalgic rock from the ’60s to the early 2000s. It’s a blend of classic rock, grunge, hard rock, and alternative, all tied in with dad jokes and humor. production.
From left, Jose Manguin, Sean the Butcher, and Vinento Usriello at the Welcome to Rockville Festival. (Courtesy/Ana Massard) Staten Island Advance
We also produce a new podcast, Reign in Horror, hosted by Jose Manguin, which explores the darker realms of horror through exclusive interviews with horror icons and creators.
Guests include David Arquette, Scream’s Jamie Kennedy, Terrifier director Damian Leone, Ice Nine Kills’ Spencer Charnas, and horror icon Bill Mosley. Masu. Additionally, multiple Halloween movie stars will appear, including the original Michael Myers, Nick Castle, the current Michael Myers, James Jude Courtney, as well as Daniel Harris and Scout Taylor Compton from Rob Zombie’s Halloween movie.
“We’re also preparing a special dish with Linkin Park. We’re so excited for their return!” he gushed.
Finally, he’s working on a new SiriusXM holiday channel with celebrity hosts, which he can’t reveal yet, but it’s a huge project and he’s incredibly excited about it.
Usuriello said Octane’s fans are passionate, loyal and a true hard rock family.
“We have developed a close relationship over the years between our fans, the band and our hosts, which I am extremely proud of. Listeners are deeply involved and we are excited to share the top stories of the week. They play an active role in shows like “Big Uns Countdown,” where they vote on 15 songs, and “Test Drive,” where they give feedback on new music. Octane fans live and breathe hard rock. He attends concerts and festivals and stays connected to the scene. Whether you’re at the gym, on the go, or just looking for some loud, adrenaline-pumping music, Octane is your go-to for hard rock music!”
Celebration – October until November 27th2
October. 27
On Sunday, Timothy Harrison, who will turn 31, Aurelia Curtis, Michael Proffitt, Tom Furnali, Daniel S. Barbaria, who will turn 30, Janine DeSanto, Jack Minogue, Rich Kane and Reginald Patrick. , Julie Giovinazzo Nodelman and Joanna Marie Gray birthday wishes are in order. . ¶
Susan and Doug Starlace celebrated their anniversary on Sunday, as did Sierra and Frank Valledormo.
October. 28
Monday’s birthday greetings were Jay Chazanoff, Justin Caldwell, Antoinette Alexandrini, twins Alekka and Christian Klimeni, Daniel Tramontano, John Adam Soqvist, Jacqueline Rivera, and twins Marie Cataldo, Elizabeth McDermott and Gina Gioeli.
October. 29
Tuesday is the birthday of John Boza, Robin Eldridge, Alisha Mercaldo, Beth Rober, Christopher Sean Smith, Linda Coughlin, Sally King and Mary T. Gormley.
Happy wedding anniversary to Fran and John Widsten on Tuesday.
October. 30
Wednesday’s best birthdays include Nazir Papanik, Connor Coughlin, Anna Rosa, Everett John Benanti, who turns 9, and Gina Stavora (October 31st is also her wedding anniversary to husband Thomas) Lynn – Schlichtinger, Lucy Krone, Vincent “Mantle” Bertinelli, Michael Day, Pete Ferrari, Kenny Downing, Emily Longo.
Happy wedding anniversary to Nikki and Danny Schnell on Wednesday!
October. 31
Happy Birthday Thursday, Joyce Gherardi, Jennifer and Christina Randazzo, Tony Lord Sr., Ellen McHugh, Joseph Falcone, Eileen Downing, Michael Putney, Darrin Porter, and Tom Andersen.
Happy wedding anniversary to Gillian and Tim Rose on Thursday!
November 1
Friday is the birthday of Judith Driscoll, her daughters Beth Mercado and Jasmine Mercado, and their now 12-year-old twins Sebastian and Ilirian Popinara.
Friday is Lynn and Terry McHugh’s wedding anniversary.
November 2
Saturday is the happiest birthday of Robert Wiese and Angela Commissa Frisone.