10 Questions with ... Jennifer Allen

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started out of college at Insight Mgt, then moved to EMI CMG (then known as Sparrow Records), a stint at R&R, then Manager National Promotion at INO Records and am now getting ready to celebrate my fourth year at Centricity Music.

1. What was your first job in the industry? Any early mentors?

My first job was at Insight Mgt, a tour marketing and promotion company that was located down on Music Row. I got to work with some really cool top Country artists at the time. An early mentor would definitely be Grant Hubbard who I worked for at my second industry job at EMI many moons ago. Grant's the Godfather of Promotion.

2. Now, you're at Centricity Music. What's the vibe around the office this week?

Freakin' awesome! Centricity earned our first-ever AC #1 hit this week! Aaron Shust's "My Hope Is In You" has been killin' it at radio and we got to see the results of all the hard work this week. We've been doing the Happy Dance Of Joy. It's a great feeling. And who knew Steve Ford could dance so well?

3. And there's Marc Martel's YouTube audition, now over one million views. How did that come about?

Roger Taylor from Queen launched an online talent search for "The Queen Extravaganza," a touring Queen tribute band that will tour in 2012 in celebration of Queen's 40 years in music. Anyone living in America can enter and a friend of Marc's sent the contest link to him. Marc uploaded a video of him singing "Somebody To Love" and in just over two days he's had over one million views. If you've ever seen Marc perform live you'll know why his video has become so popluar. It's incredible!

4. And what's happening with other Centricity artists?

We have a ton going on. Jason Gray, Downhere and Aaron Shust are going out together on the "Call To Love Tour." Andrew Peterson will be touring with Steven Curtis Chapman this fall and will also tour this Christmas season with his "Behold The Lamb" tour (which Jason Gray will be a part of again this year). Also, we currently have fantastic singles out from Jason, Aaron, Downhere and Me In Motion, not to mention brand new albums from Jason, Aaron and Downhere. Let's just say we have plenty going on to keep our cups overflowing well into next year.

5. Onto some questions about your day-to-day work. What is your favorite part of your job?

Getting paid to talk for a living!

6. And your least favorite part?

There's a least favorite part?

7. Fill in the blank. I can't start the day without:

PopTarts. First thing I do when I get to work is toast up a couple of strawberry PopTarts. Oh, sweet, wonderful, heavenly goodness that they are.

8. We were all recently together at CMB Momentum. What were your highlights from the event?

The Centricity Breakfast, of course (and the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney)! I actually love getting to see all my radio buds in one place and Momentum provides the perfect opportunity for that. The only drawback was that there just wasn't enough time to get to spend with everyone.

9. Who inspires you personally, professionally and/or spiritually?

I have a great family. Even though during my teenage years, we may not have seen eye-to-eye on everything but my parents have been a huge influence on who I've turned out to be. They encouraged me to be who I was, let me make mistakes (and were there to pick me up when I made them), taught me about having a work ethic, gave me great examples of who we should be as Christians, and loved me regardless of my shortcomings. My parents are amazing people.

10. If you could have any other job outside the music industry, what would it be?

There's life outside of music? [wink] If I had to pick something other than music, I would probably end up running some type of doggie day care facility or starting a no-kill animal shelter. When I'm 70, I'll probably end up being "the crazy cat lady" at the end of the block who takes in any stray animal the neighborhood that kids leave on my doorstep.