ArtistDirect News
HEY NOW Records Expands Leadership With New A&R and Artist Development Executives
In a move that signals its ambition to punch above its weight, HEY NOW Records announced on August 10 2026 that it has added Dilan “Hef” Ames as Vice President of Artist & Repertoire and Alyssa Ramsey as Director of Artist Development.
Ames, a Los Angeles‑based veteran who has spent more than a decade hunting, signing and marketing fresh talent, joins HEY NOW after stints at Alamo Records, 10 K Projects and the Elektra Music Group. Ramsey, who calls Nashville home, earned a Master of Arts in Music Business from Berklee College of Music and has built a reputation working with Red 11 Music, Rodeo Austin, Anthem Entertainment and Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music Group, where she oversaw daily operations for artists such as Dylan Marlowe.
The appointments come as the label, founded in March 2026 by Clint Higham, John Esposito and Kris Lamb, tightens its core team. HEY NOW’s first signing, country star Kenny Chesney, has been positioned as the flagship artist. The label’s debut releases—including Chesney’s single “Carry On” and his forthcoming album Silver Sands Marina—are slated for September 2026.
According to a statement from HEY NOW, the new executives will concentrate on early artist identification and long‑term development. Ames is described as a “relentless” scout who hunts talent on online platforms, engages with tastemakers and seeks artists before they break out. Ramsey is praised for her skill in crafting release strategies, building artist branding and tracking growth metrics.
In addition to the two hires, HEY NOW announced the deployment of two consultants who will work alongside Ames and Ramsey. The consultants are intended to broaden the label’s capacity to evaluate and support a larger pool of talent.
The expansion reflects HEY NOW’s strategy of operating lean while moving quickly in a fast‑changing music environment. The label’s mission, outlined at its March 2026 launch, is to create customized marketing plans that connect artists directly with fans.
Industry observers note that the addition of seasoned A&R and artist‑development talent is a common move for boutique labels seeking to compete with major‑label infrastructure. Ames’ background at Elektra and 10 K Projects, both known for their artist‑centric approaches, aligns with HEY NOW’s emphasis on early involvement.
Ramsey’s experience in Nashville’s independent scene, including her work with Play It Again Music Group, positions her to navigate the city’s unique ecosystem of touring, radio and streaming. Her academic credentials from Berklee and the University of Texas add a formal perspective to the label’s talent‑development pipeline.
The appointments are the latest development in HEY NOW’s rapid growth. Earlier this year, the label signed its first five songwriters and announced that Charlie Worsham would join the Grand Ole Opry, further indicating its expanding footprint in country music.
At present, HEY NOW’s roster includes Kenny Chesney and a growing list of emerging artists identified by the new A&R and artist‑development teams. The label’s next public move will likely involve the release schedule for Silver Sands Marina and the rollout of additional singles.
In summary, HEY NOW Records’ addition of Dilan “Hef” Ames and Alyssa Ramsey strengthens its core leadership in artist discovery and development. The appointments signal the label’s intent to build a robust, artist‑focused operation that can compete in the contemporary music marketplace.
Ames, a Los Angeles‑based veteran who has spent more than a decade hunting, signing and marketing fresh talent, joins HEY NOW after stints at Alamo Records, 10 K Projects and the Elektra Music Group. Ramsey, who calls Nashville home, earned a Master of Arts in Music Business from Berklee College of Music and has built a reputation working with Red 11 Music, Rodeo Austin, Anthem Entertainment and Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music Group, where she oversaw daily operations for artists such as Dylan Marlowe.
The appointments come as the label, founded in March 2026 by Clint Higham, John Esposito and Kris Lamb, tightens its core team. HEY NOW’s first signing, country star Kenny Chesney, has been positioned as the flagship artist. The label’s debut releases—including Chesney’s single “Carry On” and his forthcoming album Silver Sands Marina—are slated for September 2026.
According to a statement from HEY NOW, the new executives will concentrate on early artist identification and long‑term development. Ames is described as a “relentless” scout who hunts talent on online platforms, engages with tastemakers and seeks artists before they break out. Ramsey is praised for her skill in crafting release strategies, building artist branding and tracking growth metrics.
In addition to the two hires, HEY NOW announced the deployment of two consultants who will work alongside Ames and Ramsey. The consultants are intended to broaden the label’s capacity to evaluate and support a larger pool of talent.
The expansion reflects HEY NOW’s strategy of operating lean while moving quickly in a fast‑changing music environment. The label’s mission, outlined at its March 2026 launch, is to create customized marketing plans that connect artists directly with fans.
Industry observers note that the addition of seasoned A&R and artist‑development talent is a common move for boutique labels seeking to compete with major‑label infrastructure. Ames’ background at Elektra and 10 K Projects, both known for their artist‑centric approaches, aligns with HEY NOW’s emphasis on early involvement.
Ramsey’s experience in Nashville’s independent scene, including her work with Play It Again Music Group, positions her to navigate the city’s unique ecosystem of touring, radio and streaming. Her academic credentials from Berklee and the University of Texas add a formal perspective to the label’s talent‑development pipeline.
The appointments are the latest development in HEY NOW’s rapid growth. Earlier this year, the label signed its first five songwriters and announced that Charlie Worsham would join the Grand Ole Opry, further indicating its expanding footprint in country music.
At present, HEY NOW’s roster includes Kenny Chesney and a growing list of emerging artists identified by the new A&R and artist‑development teams. The label’s next public move will likely involve the release schedule for Silver Sands Marina and the rollout of additional singles.
In summary, HEY NOW Records’ addition of Dilan “Hef” Ames and Alyssa Ramsey strengthens its core leadership in artist discovery and development. The appointments signal the label’s intent to build a robust, artist‑focused operation that can compete in the contemporary music marketplace.