About Us

Cherry Heart Music is a Nashville based music publishing company. Cherry Heart Music’s writers have penned number one singles for George Strait, Charlie Pride and Garth Brooks as well as numerous other hit songs.

Staff:

Gratton E. Stephens, III: President/Manager, Cherry Heart LLC

Stephens, the founder, principal owner and day-to-day head of Cherry Heart Music & Entertainment, has twenty two years experience in the music industry. His previous experience includes owning and operating a successful graphic design company, artist management, television production, business and entertainment consulting, event marketing, radio promotion and concert production and promotion.

Shelby Kennedy: Sr. Vice President/COO

A multi-talented Nashville legacy, Kennedy has twenty five years of experience in the music industry. Kennedy’s previous positions include Director, Writer-Publisher Relations at BMI, A&R Director at Lyric Street Records and Director of Membership at ASCAP in addition to numerous production, songwriting and studio background vocalist credits. Kennedy received an ASCAP Most Performed Country Song Award for writing and publishing Reba’s hit song I’m A Survivor.

Jennifer Rose Parker: Senior Vice President Entertainment Marketing

Jennifer Rose Parker has over 13 years of experience in the sales and marketing industry. Jennifer launched her own firm, Parker Communications, in the fall of 2006 after seeing a great need for marketing consulting services in the entertainment industry. Prior to opening Parker Communications, she held the position of Senior Director of National Accounts at TBA Global Events where she worked with a variety of clients including Cendant Corporation, The Inauguration Committee for the 2004 Presidential Election, Playboy Magazine’s 50th Anniversary, and “O” Magazine, among others.

Rondal Richardson: General Manager

An eighteen-year veteran of the entertainment industry and Nashville, Tennessee native, Rondal has had experience in all aspects of the world of entertainment including music, film, television, magazine and book projects. As General Manager for Wynonna Judd from 1999-2006, Rondal also promoted the artist's worldwide concert tours, book signings and music releases as well as her public appearances. In the last several years, he has collaborated with various artists including Ashley Judd, James Marsden, Keith Urban and others with charitable endeavors which have led to over $100 million being raised for charities around the world.

Yvette Arledge: Director of Administration

Arledge brings 23 years of experience to the Cherry Heart team. She previously ran her own company, Arledge Entertainment, which provided publishing and office administration as well as numerous other services for songwriters. Arledge, an experienced Paralegal, has held positions in publishing administration at Nashville’s Little Big Town Music Group, Love Monkey Music and Dennis Robbins Music Group and also has extensive experience in radio, where she worked as an Announcer, Director of Promotions & Public Relations.

Cassandra Tormes

Tormes has a stellar record as an independent song plugger, previously pitching songs for several of Nashville’s top writers. Her twelve years of music industry experience includes positions as Creative Director at Paul Worley Productions, 3 Ring Circus Music, Friday Records in addition to being Project Coordinator on several albums and an Assistant Studio Manager at Georgetown Masters.

Cerissa Frey: Management Assistant

The newest employee of Cherry Heart, Cerissa Frey, has a true love and passion for music which led her to pursue a career in the music industry. She attended the Music Business programs of both Belmont University and then MTSU where she obtained a degree in the Recording Industry. She completed an internship at Outback Concerts and was then hired at Toby Keith's management company, TKO Artist Management where she stayed until she came to Cherry Heart. Cerissa now plays an integral part of assisting with the day to day operations of the management division of Cherry Heart.