Live in Washington

Besides chores? Reading, vintage clothes/books hunting, museum, movie and, yes, seeing someone else's concert.

Fantasy production?

Warner Theatre, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, because they still have the best live show in the land and come from home [born in Newark, raised in Nutley]; B.B. King, because there's never a day when his blues fails me; and a tie with Senegal's Orchestra Baobab and Susan Graham, whose voice always puts its hand on my heart.

Steve Lambert

Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St. NE, 202-388-7625), DC 9 (1940 Ninth St. NW, 202-483-5000), the Red and the Black (1212 H St. NE, 202-399-3201)

How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?

Nothing more than an ambitious thought. [He was born September 1978.]

What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?

Started professionally at Mac's Bar and the Temple Club in Lansing, Mich. My very first big show was with Moneen, who was growing at the time and eventually became a pretty decently sized headliner after signing to Vagrant [Records].

What are your working hours?

24/7. I'm usually at my office from around 9 a.m. to whenever. I can easily get phone calls and text messages seven days a week at any time of the night. My work always comes home with me as well, so I'll be at the club all day and then come home and get right back on the computer.

How many tats do you have?

Ha, lots: Full sleeve of left arm, half sleeve of right arm, large chest and stomach piece, calf piece, back piece, all my toes.

The song you sing in the shower is:

No one wants to hear me sing in the shower.

What job would you have if you didn't do this?

That's a scary question to think about, but probably bartending and working at some rock club.

Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?

Some male-fronted emo band wanted the women's magazine Red. You can tell from that where these kids get their influences and hairstyles. [The request was not fulfilled.]

When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?

Honestly, I never really am, but meeting Thurston Moore [of Sonic Youth] was pretty incredible. I just have the highest respect for him and his band.

Is it cool to ask for an autograph?

I've only had artists sign cool show posters, but I wasn't really asking for an autograph.

Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?

Tegan and Sara, Tilly and the Wall, Mark Farina.

How do you spend your days off?

A full day off without checking my BlackBerry or promoting a show is a luxury.

Fantasy production?

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Mule, Calexico, Hot Snakes, Bonnie Prince Billy, William Elliott Whitmore.

Lisa White

9:30 club (815 V St. NW, 202-393-0930)

How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?

14

What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?

I have no idea what my first show was, or where it was, but it probably didn't sell very well.

What sort of hours do you keep?

Anything can happen at any time that needs to be dealt with immediately, so you never know. Weekly, anywhere from 35 to 55 hours depending on what time of year it is and what's happening, or suddenly is not happening.

How many tats do you have?

Zero.

The song you sing in the shower is:

I sing along to music in the car when I'm driving, not in the shower. Today it was "Electric Worry" by Clutch.

What job would you have if you didn't do this?

I have to do this.

Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?

I always got a laugh out of Mike Watt's rider. He and his band asked for chips with the hottest salsa available. . . . We always did our best to find 'em something dangerous.

When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?

I wasn't formally introduced to James Brown, but standing three feet away from him backstage at the WHFS holiday show a few years ago made me weak in the knees.

Is it cool to ask for an autograph?

I don't know if it's cool or not. Sometimes I'll ask an artist to sign a nice screen-printed show poster that I plan to frame, but that's about it.

Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?

My friends probably wouldn't be very surprised by anything I listen to. Sometimes I like to drive around listening to Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, especially on a hot summer day. And I don't feel guilty about it.

How do you spend your days off?

Hanging out with friends, especially if good food is involved, going to shows, watching movies, reading, running errands, trying to keep up with my e-mail. Sometimes I just want to stay home and be quiet.

Fantasy production?

Brian Eno suddenly decides he doesn't hate touring after all and rejoins Roxy Music for a tour where they play a five-night stand at the 9:30 club. Damn, that would be hot.

I'd enjoy borrowing some of my favorite bands from the Continental Club in south Austin and hosting them at Chick Hall's Surf Club. I'd choose Heybale!, featuring Redd Volkaert and Earl Poole Ball, and add special guests Cindy Cashdollar on steel and both Elana James and Erik Hokkanen on violin. Two of my favorite honky-tonk troubadours, James Intveld and James Hand, would round out the bill for a great night of real Texas two-steppin' in one of the D.C. area's last remaining roadhouses.

That show probably wouldn't cost very much, so with the leftover cash I'd hire Flight of the Conchords and Stephen Colbert to do a house concert in my living room.

Peter Zimmerman

Wolf Trap, Filene Center (1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, 703-255-1868), Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Rd., Vienna, 703-938-2404)

How old were you when the Sex Pistols formed (1975)?

17

What was the first show you promoted? Did it sell?

I've been in and out of the business all my life, with other careers interspersed such as acting, designing and teaching. I got started in high school promoting my own band and friends' bands. The first show was a high school dance at a Catholic school in Colorado. It sold out.

What sort of hours do you keep?

These vary tremendously, from 40 to 80 hours a week, but if there are sun or clouds or darkness or moonlight in the sky, I am available to confirm a show at any hour of the day or night.

How many tats do you have?

Zero.

The song you sing in the shower is:

If at all, opera, but mostly not at all.

What job would you have if you didn't do this?

Grave digger, or lawn maintenance, or retired.

Most memorable rider clause, and did you fulfill it?

"One bowl assorted pills." We did not. "One case of beer and six women: Please make sure the beer is cold and the women hot." We got them the cold beer.

When was the last time you were star-struck by an artist?

George Harrison.

Is it cool to ask for an autograph?

It's cool to be offered an autograph. Not cool to ask.

Favorite guilty pleasure band your friends would never suspect?

Seu Jorge or Abba.

How do you spend your days off?

Dog, kid, wife, garden, splitting wood, bonsai and honey-do lists.

Fantasy production?

My dream co-bill: Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Warner Theatre.