10 Questions with ... Jennifer Allen

NAME:Jennifer Allen TITLE:Director of National Promotion COMPANY:Centricity Records

Brief Career Synopsis:

After graduating from Belmont University with a degree in Commercial Guitar, I began working for a tour marketing and promotion company. I left Insight Management to work as a coordinator for the promotion team at Sparrow Records for a few years and then moved to R&R as the Christian account rep. I left R&R and later worked at INO Records as Manager of National Promotion. My path has now led me to the position as Director of National Promotion at Centricity Records.

1) What made you want to get into the music business?

Quite simply, I love music. I'm consumed by music, and honestly, I'm not happy unless I'm working with music in some shape or form. I really don't have an alternative but to work in the music business.

2) You're settling into Centricity Records right now. What has intrigued thus far about the label?

I'm really enjoying working with the folks at Centricity. One of the major things I loved about the label from the beginning is their out-of-the-box thinking, as I work better in that type of environment. The fit is a great one; however, I hope Steve Ford knows what he's gotten himself into!

3) And you're getting to know the artists. Have any favorites yet?

Who can pick just one? They're all my favorites!

4) You now have the title of Director of National Promotions. What does that mean exactly? Does the bigger title give you more free time?

It means I'm a playah! Actually, as far as titles go, if you want to be technical, yep, it's a larger title. Free time? Riiiiggghhhttt.

5) When there are so many songs/artists vying for airplay, do you have a strategy to get newer artists heard on the radio?

It's simple, and I wouldn't even call it a "strategy." It's to deliver the best music possible from artists of integrity who have a heart for Christian music.

6) Who has had the biggest impact on your life spiritually, personally and/or professionally?

I'd have to say my Dad. He's a great man of many accomplishments (though he'd never admit it even if you asked him), who gives every bit of credit to the teams of people he's worked with over the years. Throughout his life he not only taught me the importance of a good work ethic, but how to be patient (not one of my stronger virtues), being a person of your word and the importance of a personal relationship with Christ.

7) Best advice for young music promoters? Or at least good advice?

LOL! OK, you put the word "good" in there so I guess I have to answer appropriately. Be a good listener and if you say you're going to do something, do it.

8) Weren't you nominated for an award recently? If you could win any award possible, which would you want to win and why?

Why, yes, I was. I've been nominated, along with some other fabulous folks, as the Label Director of Promotion Executive of the Year for the R&R Christian Industry Achievement Awards, so vote for me!

If I could win any award possible, I guess I'd want to win the Best Kick-Butt Chick Guitar Player of All Time award. I don't think that award exists, but hey, you said any award.

9) If you can imagine your life outside the music business, what would you be doing?

Life exists outside of the music business? If it did, I guess I would probably be standing on a street corner somewhere playing guitar hoping folks would throw spare change in my open guitar case. Well, either that or I'd be a chocolate tester somewhere.

10) Has Josh Petersen pulled any pranks on you yet? Or better yet, have you pulled any on him?

LOL! Josh knows better. I'm not one to be messed with! [Smile]

1) What's in your CD player right now?

Brian Setzer's latest CD, "Wolfgang's Big Night Out"

2) What's your favorite quote?

I have two. 1) "Take what you have, do something with it, and never be satisfied." (Randy Adams, my high school choral teacher) and 2) "It's better to be a first class version of yourself than a second class version of someone else." (Judy Garland)

3) Do you read much? Books, magazines, newspaper?

All of the above. I love to read. Agatha Christie books are my favorite.

4) Any musical guilty pleasures?

Musicals! Any and all, especially "The Wizard of Oz." Watch it with me sometime and I'll quote it verbatim for you.

5) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?

1) A helicopter, 2) A helicopter pilot and 3) Enough gasoline to get us back to civilization