Quarterback Records is not your run-of-the-mill record label for hire. Abandoning the notion that one size fits all, Quarterback Records forges partnerships with artists to determine their ideal needs, and the most beneficial way to allocate resources to achieve high marks.
Quarterback Records was started by Chris Allums 5 years ago, with the vision of forging a new path. Allums, with 12 years record label operations and business management experience, brought on a small team of seasoned veterans with record label, radio, and promotion experience with a cumulative 100 years in the business. At the core of the Quarterback model is project management. Literally acting as the field general, the operation has deep ties to multiple outlets in production, promotion, new media, distribution, and public relations. The knowledge and connections are invaluable, but nothing is as valuable as the one to one relationship artists experience with Quarterback Records.
Each artist is plugged in to a custom suite of industry professionals, always keeping a tight rein and close eye on the budget of the project. This sleek, customized team leads to greater profitability for the project, but also allows the artist to truly compete on the grand stage. Quarterback Records is willing to go head to head with the big players in areas they know they can have impact. By competing where necessary they have had great successes with projects such as: “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis, Blane Lawson (now signed to Sony Records), and Lorrie Morgan. Each of these projects were able to garner great financial success through the guidance of Quarterback Records.
With new artists such as: Katie Armiger, Stephen Cochran, and Todd O’Neill, great successes are, no doubt just around the corner. Quarterback Records manages successful projects and create stars because they listen to their clients and put them in the best possible place to succeed…. This ain’t no label in a box.
THE QUARTERBACK RECORDS TEAM:
The Quarterback Records team has a history of chart success which started with Randy Travis’s #1 hit “Three Wooden Crosses.” Since then we have charted singles by artists including Chely Wright, Sawyer Brown, Blaine Larsen, Lorrie Morgan and Katie Armiger. Most recently, we launched the debut Top 15 single “Pray For You” with Jaron And the Long Road to Love.
Chris Allums, Co-President. Chris has extensive knowledge of and experience in the music industry. In 1995, he was hired as Director of Operations at Imprint Entertainment, a company with record label and television/film production divisions. From there Chris went to work for Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, an artist business management firm where he worked with established music industry clients including Jo Dee Messina, SHeDAISY and Keith Urban. In 2001 he was hired as CFO of VFR Records, which he left to found Quarterback Records in 2003, assembling and running the promotion team.
John Ettinger, Co-President. John is credited with the launch of numerous artist careers in country music, most recently the Top-10 debut of Carolwood Records’ flagship artist Love & Theft. As VP of Promotion at Mercury Records, John conceived and executed the launch plans for Sugarland, Billy Currington, Julie Roberts, and started Jamie O’Neil out with two #1 records. John has been the radio point person for Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Mark Wills, and was the leader of the Mercury team that gave Bon Jovi a #1 country single with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
JR Hughes, National Promotion Director and Midwest. JR’s first record label job was as Northeast Regional Manager for RCA records in 1985. Since then he has worked for Sony Records and A&M Records, as well as spending time as an independent promoter. JR was also part of the VFR Records team which made Mark McGuinn a success, and he joined Quarterback in July 2003 when VFR Records closed.
Chuck Thagard, Northeast/Southeast Promotion Manager. Chuck was a part of the startup of BNA Records in 1991, starting as the Northeast Regional. In 1993 Chuck was promoted to VP of Promotion, where he helped launch the career of Kenny Chesney, and oversaw other artists’ radio careers including John Anderson, Lonestar and Lorrie Morgan. In 1999 Chuck joined Warner Nashville as Northeast Regional, working with Faith Hill, Trick Pony, and Blake Shelton among others. Chuck joined Quarterback Records in April 2004.
Bill Lubitz, West Promotion Manager. Bill comes to Quarterback after a stint with Stoney Creek Records, handling the west coast for the launch of that label. He is a 10-year radio veteran, most recently serving as Music Director with Clear Channel’s KWNR in Las Vegas.
