New West Opens Nashville Office Led By John Allen

Veteran music industry executive John Allen has been appointed President of notable independent label New West Records, New West Independent Music Publishing and its developing artists imprint, Normaltown Records. Allen joins New West from BMG Chrysalis where he was Vice President. He will open New West’s first Nashville office, bolstering its offices in Los Angeles and Athens, Ga.
“I have known John Allen for as long as I have been in this business and there is no one I respect more than him,” said owner of New West Records, George Fontaine, Sr. “New West is extremely fortunate to bring John on board to lead the label in our future endeavors.”
“I’ve worked with George Fontaine and New West Records for years and I have always been impressed with their unbridled passion for quality music and the integrity in which they run their business,” said Allen. “I’m thrilled to be part of the New West family.”
Allen has had a longstanding relationship with New West for more than a decade as publisher to many of the label’s artists including Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, The Devil Makes Three, The Whigs and Nikki Lane.
Allen has more than two decades of industry experience and brings an extensive knowledge of music publishing, rights management, licensing, songwriting and A&R expertise.
Allen began his career in publishing at Bug Music Publishing as Creative Director in 1995. He rose to Vice President, and when Bug merged with BMG Chrysalis in 2012 he became a leader in the expanded company. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he studied classical guitar on a full scholarship.
A member on the Board of Directors of the Americana Music Association for the last 10 years, Allen has also served on the Board of Directors of Leadership Music and is a founding board member of the Nashville Chapter of the Association Of Independent Music Publishers.
New West boasts a number of Grammy®-award winning artists including Buddy Miller, Delbert McClinton, Patty Griffin, Steve Earle and Tom Morello and is home to an eclectic roster including Anthony D’Amato, Austin Lucas, Ben Miller Band, Buddy & Julie Miller, Buxton, Corb Lund, Daniel Romano, Floating Action, Grandfather Child, Hamell On Trial, Howe Gelb, John Hiatt, Luther Dickinson, Max Gomez, Nikki Lane, Pegi Young, Ponderosa, Randall Bramblett, Richard Thompson, Robert Ellis, Stephen Bruton, The Devil Makes Three, The Flatlanders, The Mastersons, The Whigs, Wild Moccasins and Young Rebel Set. New West Records has also released several movie soundtracks including the Grammy®-Award winning Crazy Heart Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.