10 Questions with ... Mallory Allgood

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Mallory Allgood is the newest member of All Access Nashville. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky which she refers to as "Mayberry," but spent a semester in New York City studying Film and Media Studies at Hunter College during her time in college. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television Production from Murray State University in Murray, KY, and after getting a taste of the big city life, Mallory moved to Nashville in 2009.

From 2009-2015, in her off time, Mallory worked as an Entertainment Industry Freelancer for a variety of TV shows and productions including the CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas, CMA Music Festival, CMT Awards, American Idol, the Dove Awards, and various TV shows with HGTV and TruTV. In 2010, Mallory joined Sony ATV/Music Publishing as a Global Royalties Coordinator. During this time, she processed international royalties for Sony's two-million-song catalog. She oversaw the global royalties for artists such as Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, and the Beatles.

In 2012, Mallory entered the world of Entertainment Business Management where she managed the business needs of Country artists Brad Paisley and T. Graham Brown, songwriters Beth Nielsen Chapman and Annie Roboff, music producer/songwriter busbee, and Contemporary Christian artists Matthew West and Brandon Heath. Deciding to work on more of the creative of the music industry, Mallory joined Big Machine Label Group in 2015 as the Label Resources Coordinator for Dot Records. While at Dot, Mallory maintained the business affairs side of radio promotion for artists such as Maddie & Tae, Steven Tyler, Drake White, Tucker Beathard, and Zac Brown Band. She joined All Access Nashville in April 2017 and after a few weeks of learning the ropes, finally had a chance to sit down and tackle her very first "10 Questions."

1. Mallory, you're the newest member of the All Access family. Welcome! You came to us from just across the street - quite literally - at Big Machine Label Group's Dot Records imprint. Can you tell us more about what you did there and how it prepared you for this next step in your career?

My official title at Dot was Label Resources Coordinator, or as everyone at Dot liked to call me, the "money person." Working on the radio promo side, my primary responsibility was to manage the quarterly budgets for each artist on the Dot imprint. It was my job to make sure that each artist had money and a budget so the Dot team could work current singles to radio. I made sure we had money to put out music videos, go on radio tour, participate in press events such as appearing/performing on the "Today" show, and various other promotional events/performances that our that our artists did. If they attended any awards show, I made sure we had money to cover those expenses. I also paid invoices and would track any income that the label was expecting. Basically, I managed the business affairs for all of the Dot Record artists in regards to radio promotion.

2. Prior to your time at BMLG, you had worked in a few different industry positions. What experiences did you have leading up to your move to Big Machine?

My first job in the music industry was with the Country Music Association (CMA) during 2009's CMA Music Festival. My title was Fun Team Supervisor (true story), and I managed a group of people who would literally just give out free swag all four days of the Festival. It was actually really fun! From there, I was asked to work as a Production Assistant for the CMA Awards. Talk about sink or swim! Haha. Planning for the CMA Awards takes all year, but around October of each year, the production crew starts coming together to get the show finalized for the November airing. My job was to assist the Production Manager with the Production Office. That office is Command Center for the entire crew. I would do anything from answering phones and making coffee to assisting with special performances during the live show. Nothing makes you feel more alive than trying to hide from the cameras during an award show by laying on the ground of an arena - while the show is airing live - in front country artists and various celebrities and waiting for a commercial break, where you very quickly tell rows full of artists what is about to happen and what you need them to do. I'm pretty sure my last words to them were "just trust me." Yeah, that's a story for another time. I freelanced with CMA for about 7 years while I worked a variety of other shows ranging from "American Idol," to various HGTV and TruTv shows, to a few different music videos. Eventually, I made the move to Sony ATV Music Publishing where I worked processing Global Royalties for Sony artists and songwriters (you're welcome, Taylor Swift). After I left Sony, I worked as an Entertainment Business Manager for a couple of years. I learned that I am very good at telling artists, songwriters, and producers how to spend their money. Haha. Finally, I made the jump to the label side of the industry, working in radio promotion at Big Machine. It was my dream to work for a record label, and I am so grateful for the experience. Obviously, I have had my hand in several different areas of the music industry, and I have used each previous experience to help me with the next.

3. You're a Kentucky native and attended Murray State University there. Did you always know you wanted to pursue the music business? What first led you down the path?

Actually, for the longest time, I wanted to move to California and become a television producer. I even worked on my high school's morning news show and interned at a TV station in college. Growing up, whenever I would watch certain TV shows and I didn't like the ending or the current storyline, I would write my own version. I may be a bit biased, but I thought my version was usually better. Then, in my sophomore year of college, I spent a semester studying Film and Media studies in New York City at Hunter College. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I grew up in a small, Southern town where you knew everybody. I nicknamed my hometown "Mayberry." Moving to NYC opened my eyes to a whole new world, and during my time at Hunter, I shifted my focus from television to music. Not many people know this, but I came to Nashville to be a songwriter but quickly realized I had zero talent in that. I'll leave songwriting to the professionals and just be secretly jealous of their talents. Everything happens for a reason, and I am where I need to be at this point in time. I am very glad that I chose the music path instead of the television path.

4. Were you a Country radio listener growing up? What music did you enjoy, and what first drew you to Country?

It wasn't until my older brother became a radio DJ at our local Country station that I really started getting into Country music. When was younger, I did not like Country. To me, it was all doom and gloom; my woman left me, my dog died, bottle of Whiskey. However, after listening to my brother on air (to my surprise he was actually a really good DJ. I mean, I would never say that to his face or anything), I kind of got into Country. It was different, and I found myself listening to the local Country station even when my brother wasn't on the air. It wasn't until I spent some time living in New York City that I thought, "Hey, let's give the music industry a try." I have always loved music, and I definitely have those handful of songs that take me back to different parts of my life - both good and bad. It's cliché to say, but I really believe that music is the soundtrack to our lives, and I knew that I had to make working in music my career. Growing up, I listened to Top 40 music. Backstreet Boys were my life in middle school! Who am I kidding, they are still amazing! As far as Country, I am a huge Reba fan! Who isn't? I have been very lucky to work with her a few times. That was definitely a bucket list item!

5. At BMLG, you worked heavily with the promotional side of the label. Who were your mentors there, inside and outside of the building, and who really encouraged you to follow the path you've walked along the way since coming to Nashville?

I have been blessed with a few great mentors in my eight years in Nashville. My very first mentor was, and still is, Cindy Miller, who is the former Associate Producer of the CMA Awards and CMA Music Festival. She gave me my very first job in the industry and has really helped me along the way. Any time I would go for job interviews, she would help me prepare. We would rehearse interview questions and go over my resume with a fine-toothed comb. Anytime I have been up for a promotion, I have always gotten Cindy's opinion. I have always valued her advice, and I owe a lot of my success to her. She is always positive and encouraging; I want to be her when I grow up! At BMLG, my two biggest mentors were Chris Stacey, who is the former GM of Dot Records, and Kris Lamb, who now serves as VP/Promotion for Big Machine Records. It took me seven interviews to get my job at Dot Records, and I still give them a hard time about that. Stacey once told me my last name got me my first interview - but, hey, I'll take it. Chris was a great boss, and I really looked up to him. We are actually from the same hometown in Kentucky and went to the same college, just years apart (sorry, Chris), and we bonded over that. He is one of the hardest working people I know. Kris Lamb gave me the nickname "Sassy" - I have no idea why. I loved to watch him work. He would get so into his job, whether it was securing an add for a single or whatever. It was just so awesome to watch someone who genuinely loves what they do. I would ask him career advice sometimes. He is just an all-around great dude. Both Chris and Kris have been so supportive of my move to All Access. I spoke to both of them several times during this process, and both served as references for me. This is a crazy industry, and you have to surround yourself with some really great people who understand where you have been and where you are. I quite literally hit the boss jackpot with those two! I am excited that I will still to get to work with them, just in a different capacity, in my new role.

6. You've recently celebrated a "milestone birthday," so to speak, and you've been in Nashville approaching eight years now. What are your hopes and dreams for the future, and of the industry positions you've sampled thus far, what strikes you as feeling the most like "home" for you?

So, I turned the big 3-0 last August, although I tell people I am 29 and holding. Actually, 30 has been great. I had a lot of friends tell me that their 30s have been the best times of their lives, and I believe it. Mainly, I just want to be happy and love what I do. I want to get up and be excited to go to work in the mornings. I just want to continue to learn and grow in the music industry. You never know what will lead you to the next thing. So, while I am excited for the future, I don't want to miss out on the present. I would love one day for some 20-something-year-old to come to me asking for career advice, and I hope I can steer them in the right direction. Honestly, All Access feels like home to me. I am get to what I have always loved to do - write. I don't know where this will lead, but I am excited to see. I am so grateful for all the experiences I have had so far. I wouldn't change a thing, even the bad things. With each bad thing, I learned valuable lessons, and with each good thing, I saw rewards. I am exactly where I need to be at this moment in time.

7. What aspect of All Access most excites you about the position, and what areas do you hope to grow in as you continue here?

I am a people person. I love people, and that's one of the main things that drew me to All Access to begin with. I literally want know everyone's life story. In my position at All Access, I am constantly in contact with people, whether writing about them, calling them, interviewing them, seeing them at industry events, whatever. It's all about connecting and building those relationships. It's great, because some things that I write about pertain to people I have close relationships with, so basically, I am getting to write about my friends! I also love writing. Writing is my passion and has been since I was kid. It's funny; very few people at Big Machine knew I had a writing/communication background for the longest time. I am the type of person who would rather write a 100-page research paper than take a five-question test. Writing is my therapy. As far as growing, I of course want to grow my writing. For me, that is something that is always evolving. I also want to grow the relationships that I already have in the industry as well make new ones. We are all in this industry because we love music and are passionate about the artists in this genre. I want to do all that I can to promote music, the artists, and the people behind-the-scenes making this all come together. Plus, I am very nosey person. I like to be the first one to know everything. So this is a perfect fit!

8. During your time working with the CMA and then through your years at BMLG, you've had the opportunity to see a lot of up-and-coming artists make the leap to the big stages. What current "new faces" are most exciting to you, and who do you see as the "next big thing" for 2017?

I absolutely love Drake White! I was so excited he was on the Dot Records roster. He was born to sing. I remember when he performed on the "Today" show last year, we all stood around the television just watching him in awe. I also heard that Kathie Lee and Hoda loved him! I mean, who doesn't? He's amazing! As far as the next big thing, I would tell the world to look out for Brett Young. It doesn't hurt that he is easy on the eyes, but when sings his ballads, it's like he is singing directly to you. At least, it's like that for the girls in the audience - not sure about the guys. I would also say Carly Pearce is one to watch. Her current single, "Every Little Thing," is amazing. She really puts her heart and soul into that song. She also has really neat story about how she ended up in Nashville - let's just say it involves Dollywood. So Drake, Brett, and Carly are the ones that I have my eyes on right now.

9. Even though you have been in the industry for several years now, there are surely some "bucket list" concerts still to check off. What artists have you not yet had the chance to see in concert that you hope to see in the coming year?

You know, I have never seen a full Luke Bryan concert. I mean, I have seen him do his thing at festivals and award shows, but I have never sat through a full Luke Bryan concert. That is definitely something I need to do in the near future! He can go from dancing around this stage shaking his you-know-what to ripping your heart out with "Drink A Beer." Hey Luke, the next time you're in town, call me.

10. As more and more people move to Nashville - many to pursue a career in the music industry - what advice would you offer to the next generation as they start their career path? How should they start the journey, and what are some helpful tips they should know to use along the way?

First, I would say you need to have a thick skin. This is a very competitive industry, and I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have had some great experiences, and I have had some bad ones where I questioned if this was the industry for me. Just as with any career, you really need to love what you do. If you enjoy what you do, then it's not really work. My biggest fear when I was younger was having a job that I went to just for the paycheck. If I am going to be somewhere forty-plus hours per week, I want to be having fun. Life is too short to be miserable. Surrounding yourself with a core group of people is a must! That group may change and evolve over the years - mine has - but it's still there. These are people who are generally in the same boat as you, or they have been where you are now. In any case, having that support system is very important. Nashville is a transplant city. The majority of the people who live and work here left their friends and family to pursue their dreams. Find those people. Make those connections. It goes without saying that networking is a must. Get yourself out there, and start making connections. Volunteer to work festivals, award shows, whatever you can. Get in there and work your butt off. I was working a certain show one time, and one of the talent executives came to me when they got to the office that morning and had me literally tape up a $5 bill that their cat had torn apart. No joke. No task is too small when pursuing your dreams. Getting involved in networking groups is important, too. I am involved in a few different groups in Nashville, and I am constantly hearing about job openings.

Since most of the radio programmers out there haven't met you yet, and you'll soon be calling some of them to talk about music each week, can you share five fun facts about yourself?

Wow! Okay, I can be a boring person most of the time, but here it goes:

1. Back in 2011, Alabama had a tornado outbreak. I just happened to be in Penske truck - I briefly worked for an event company - driving right down I-65 in the middle of that outbreak. I am not sure how we did it, but we outran four tornadoes that day trying to get to Montgomery, AL. I felt like Helen Hunt in the movie "Twister." All that was missing was the cow being blown across our truck. So, I can mark Tornado Chasing off my bucket list.
2. During the same trip, I was driving a different Penske truck, and I drove into a parked 18-wheeler. One of the doors of the Penske truck was torn off. Remember when I said "I briefly worked for an event company"? Oh, and did I mentioned a crowd of people watched this? I am definitely not meant to drive anything bigger than a car.
3. I am ambidextrous. I used to be a lefty, and before I stared kindergarten, my parents made me switch hands. I can still write left handed, it's just not as pretty. I am pretty much a lefty outside of writing.
4. I played the violin when I was younger, mainly because my best friend at the time played, and I wanted to be just like her. I played for a few years, and then eventually gave it up. Part of me wishes I still played. What a great skill to have!
5. If I didn't work in the music industry, I was would an astronomer. Talk about a 180! I love that stuff; I'm a total geek. In college, I thought about switching my major to Astronomy, but I didn't want to be in school forever. Maybe I'll just make that a hobby for now.