INDUSTRY Q&A: Monica Coates and EJ Gaines of Motown Gospel
WHAT’S INSIDE: By Jess Chambers
Monica Coates and EJ Gaines were Q&A with recently promoted to Co-Executive Monica Coates Directors of Motown Gospel shortly after and EJ Gaines longtime CCMG President of Gospel, Ken Pennell, announced his retirement News - completing his career with 20 years of developing multiple Gospel artists. Radio Movement Coates and Gaines are both uniquely qualified to lead this iconic imprint, but Celebrations together their strengths are magnified. and Milestones Coates is a 25-year veteran of the Gospel Music Industry, with a broad Appearances range of experience working in artist in Film/TV management, promotion, publicity, and A&R. Prior to joining CCMG, Gaines was Top Artists an entertainment attorney and artist on Social Media manager.
Monica Coates and EJ Gaines (Continued on page 4)
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Syntax NEWS Creative dc Talk announced publicized a second Jesus Freak partnerships Cruise, hitting the with three churches that are seas on the Royal scheduled to release new music The Music Modernization Act, (MMA) Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas June — Gateway Assembly of Imlay City, H.R. 5447, was adopted April 25th by 10-14, 2019. The boat will leave from Michigan, Foothills Christian Church a unanimous vote (415-0) by the U.S. Port Canaveral and travel to Nassau of El Cajon, California, and The Grove House of Representatives. The bill is and Cococay, Bahamas. Church of San Diego, California. In now in the U.S. Senate. This Act would addition to releasing several music change a 1909 mechanical royalty videos and a few features films, standard to one that reflects a song’s Word Entertainment hired three Gateway will drop a new album titled worth in today’s marketplace. The bill new staffers to the label’s promotion SEVEN by its band WE ARE ONE in also creates a new Music Licensing department. Jennifer Allen has June on its new record label, Mainstay Collective governed by songwriters and been named “Director of National Records. music publishers, mandates equitable Promotion,” Traci Hite joins as distribution to songwriters of any “Regional Promotion Manager,” and unclaimed funds and finally would Lindsey Whitener has been named Curb/Word Entertainment promoted allow music producers to be paid “Promotion Coordinator” for the label. Ryan Dokke to the role of Sr. VP/GM. directly by Sound Exchange.
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NEWS WAY-FM President Rhett Walker and his and Chief Executive wife celebrated the OfficerJohn Scaggs birth of his fourth child announced that current Nashville - Elliot Cash on April 23rd. Station Manager and National Director of Business Development BJ O’Neal will join the executive team as Chief BIRTHDAYS The Nashville Songwriter’s Development Officer, effective July 1st. Association International (NSAI) held May 16 – Fernando Miranda their Spring No. 1 Party on April 23rd, Brighter Media Group announced the recognizing songwriters for their No. May 18 – Joe Bonsall promotion of John Lawhon to Program 1 achievements during the period Director and Dave Paul to Director of of August 2017-December 2017. No. Research and On-Air Fundraising. May 22 – Janice Gaines 1 songs and songwriters honored within the Christian genre included: “Broken Things” written by AJ Pruis, Joe Hunter, host of the FILM & TV Jason Houser, and Matthew West “Cup ‘a Joe Morning (recorded by Matthew West), “Even If” Show” at the Sound of American Idol Icons written by Bart Millard, Ben Glover, Life Radio Network, celebrated his 25th featured both Crystal Lewis, David Garcia, and Tim anniversary with the station. The Sound “Overcomer” and Timmons (recorded by MercyMe), and of Life is a 12-frequency radio network “Bleed The Same” performed by Mandisa. “He Saw Jesus” written by Brett James spanning much of eastern New York. and Kathie Lee Gifford (recorded by Kathie Lee Gifford). Cold Stone Brewery features the song, After over 31 years on the JOB at KSGN/ “Smile” in commercials which began Riverside Traffic Manager,Jackie Neff airing April 23rd. The song was written RADIO will be exiting May 15. by Jeremy Bose, J.T, Harding, Blair Daly, and Matt Shafer. KSBJ Educational Radio Movement Provided by Foundation promoted Christian Music Broadcasters Petey Martin, Tedd Joe Paulo to President T., and Jordan Smith and General Manager of 89.3 KSBJ CELEBRATIONS penned the theme and 91.7 NGEN Radio. Paulo most song for Deadpool recently served as the Vice President of Jamie Grace wed 2. Performed by Celine Dion, “Ashes,” Operations, overseeing KSBJ and NGEN Atlanta-native, model also appears on the soundtrack for the radio programming, marketing and and actor, Aaron movie which premieres, May 18th. promotions. Collins at North Metro Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Seth Mosley and Matt Hammitt The Family Radio Network, Inc. Georgia on April 14th. penned the song, “Like Arrows” which announced that Shawna Young appeared in the movie by the same joined their team as the Promotions Capitol CMG’s Manager name that was produced by Family Life. Coordinator. of National Promotion Like Arrows was featured in theaters on Laura Guthrie May 1st and 3rd. and husband Jay Troy West was celebrated the birth of their son - Henry This year K-LOVE is promoted to Program Rover Guthrie on April 5th. partnering with TBN Director at 89.3 KSBJ. to televise the K-LOVE West most recently served as KSBJ’s Fan Awards for the first Assistant Programming Director. Capitol CMG Publishing time ever. The K-LOVE and songwriter Fan Awards will be hosted by Mandisa Salem Media Group hired Gary Tommee Profitt and Matthew West on May 27th in Spurgeon as Senior Vice President, recently celebrated Nashville, TN. Tune in on May 31st at Special Projects, for Salem’s Broadcast their first No. 1 pop hit, for rapperNF ’s 8/7c to watch on TBN. Division. “Let You Down.” “War Cry” by Social Club Misfits (Feat. 88.7 The Bridge (WKNZ, Centricity Music artist Lauren Daigle’s Tauren Wells) was used in the NCAA Harrington/Dover, DE debut album, How Can It Be, has been Final 4 Tournament on TNT. and WNKZ, Pocomoke RIAA certified Platinum. This mega City/Salisbury, MD) named Mark Dickey milestone acknowledges 1 million To see your sync placements featured as Assistant Program Director and on- album sales since its release on April in our upcoming newsletter, send us air host. 4th, 2015. an email: [email protected].
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TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM
Tercer Cielo 18,367,545 Ricardo Montaner 2,918,290 Hillsong United 1,633,188
Jesus Adrian Romero 11,040,469 Juan Luis Guerra 7,995,331 Erica Campbell 1,570,816
Thalles Roberto 8,792,731 Kirk Franklin 1,755,992 Tamela Mann 1,340,830
Alex Campos 7,634,305 Lecrae 1,713,456 Lecrae 1,266,661
Juan Luis Guerra 7,541,148 Thalles Roberto 1,296,928 Tercer Cielo 1,242,935
Marcos Witt 6,295,097 Marcos Witt 1,205,256 Kari Jobe 1,146,535
Lilly Goodman 6,067,573 Hillsong United 1,198,674 Lilly Goodman 1,058,866
Hillsong United 5,753,584 Jesus Adrian Romero 1,158,098 Christine D’Clario 1,053,047
Ricardo Montaner 5,619,131 Alex Campos 1,129,549 Jesus Culture 1,049,267
Don Moen 5,385,620 Chris Tomlin 1,034,018 Hillsong Worship 1,044,230
Skillet 5,198,924 Tercer Cielo 938,161 Marcos Witt 1,007,437
Marcela Gandara 4,753,418 Marcela Gandara 750,856 Marcela Gandara 998,472
Casting Crowns 4,642,618 Lilly Goodman 726,474 Bethel Music 977,429
Hillsong Worship 4,440,884 Kari Jobe 713,802 Alex Campos 960,565
Danilo Montero 4,184,977 Marco Barrientos 701,214 Kirk Franklin 954,681
TobyMac 4,174,007 Danilo Montero 675,582 Tasha Cobbs 874,242
Mary Mary 3,752,160 Jesus Culture 633,668 Marco Barrientos 799,726
Chris Tomlin 3,546,678 TobyMac 623,937 Hillsong Y&F 790,318
Marco Barrientos 3,519,236 Mary Mary 585,569 Redimi2 782,908
Daniel Calveti 2,918,290 Michael W. Smith 583,244 Miel San Marcos 761,656
Carman Karen Peck The Staples Singers
Chonda Pierce Bishop Marvin Sapp Ryan Lampa
3 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MAY 2018 As part of this transition, Coates was also promoted relationship with Ken Pennell goes back 25 years or to Vice President of A&R/Creative of Motown Gospel more, as well as my relationship with Bill Hearn goes and will oversee the growth and development of the back 20 years. So, because the focus was always serving company’s Gospel music publishing assets. In Gaines’ something outside of myself, it made all of those new role, he was elevated to Vice President of Marketing connections real and authentic, and my jobs came out at CCMG, bringing his expertise to a broader artist of that. Jobs that didn’t exist, and positions that I wasn’t roster. applying for came out of those authentic connections. I don’t think for me I would have had that if I entered the In this interview, GMA had the chance to speak with workplace after college just looking for what I could get them about what prepared them for this next season of for myself. leadership, their commitment to serving artists well, how they manage conflict, what types of qualities draw Gaines: Service has been at the forefront of what I’ve them to work alongside artists, and who has impacted done as well. So, it made a lot of sense when I started them personally and professionally. talking with Bill Hearn and Ken Pennell about this position some years back, that Bill said to me, “… our mission is simple, serve the artists and serve the What were some of the pivotal things that writers.” And I thought, “I can do that, that’s easy!” If the happened in your life that prepared you to be an mission was to bring in a certain amount of revenue per executive right now? year, have our names plastered everywhere, or be the most nominated, the most chart-topping, or the most Coates: When I made a commitment to submit my celebrated - that might have been a taller order than just professional ambitions to my spiritual calling - that serve the artist and serve the writers. Some days you made all the difference. It shifted my focus from what I really do have to ask, “what does serving the artists look was trying to do for me, to what God wanted me to have. like today?” This gave me more of a heart to serve people. Every job that I’ve had since that time has been a service-oriented What are some of the things you’ve done role. In those positions, I had a lot of favor and earned intentionally in your relationship that make you trusting relationships with pivotal people; those people stronger together? became cyclical in my career - they always came back around. Coates: I fight every force that introduces competition into our relationship, because it wouldn’t work if we were For example, my relationship with EJ started over 15 competitive. When he and I consider each other in our years ago. During that time, we never worked together, processes, we work better together. but this job wouldn’t be possible without having that trusting relationship from back then. Likewise, my Gaines: Early on Bill asked us how we resolve conflict,
4 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MAY 2018 knowing that he had drafted our job descriptions to have in my career, but it’s something that I have to fight all to work in tandem - there’s literally no way for us to the time, and it’s very real for me. individually do our jobs without the other’s cooperation. Coates: It’s designed that way and it’s unique, especially in a I don’t have many memories of projects that gospel label where there are literally two presidents underperformed, or that project that didn’t chart that right now. We are equally both heads of the label. When grieves me. The things that I think I learned the most he asked that question, Monica answered by telling from, as far as failure, were places where my character him that we have known each other for so long and was not up to the task, or my maturity was not up to the we respect one another, and each other’s experiences, task. Whether that was I didn’t handle the success well, enough that we would work through it. or I was not gracious at a moment where I should have been gracious, maybe I didn’t sow into somebody that I It’s so true. We respect the amount of experience and should have sown into, or I was annoyed by something I intelligence and education that we’ve both gone through. shouldn’t have been annoyed by – these are times where We both have post-graduate degrees, we both have years my character wasn’t up to the task. When the Holy Spirit of experience in the industry, we both have different checks me in that, it usually results in new growth. strengths and weaknesses in the industry. When we approach one another by giving the other the benefit of What draws you to work with an artist, and the doubt, it removes the whole competitiveness, or the also what are the types of qualities that would insecurities of all of that stuff. I think have you choose not to work with that’s probably part of the strength of someone - regardless of their talent our dynamic working together. or success? Coates: Failure can be a great teacher. The first thing is world-class What are some of the lessons that When I made talent. It’s not just about being talented, you’ve learned throughout your a commitment or being the most talented person in career when you’ve struggled or your church or your city. If you’re going to submit“ my to be a recording artist, you have to have haven’t succeeded at something? professional world-class talent. That’s the very first Gaines: This may not be profound at thing, but that’s only going to get you so all, but there is a test that I feel like I ambitions to my far. Secondly, a definitive point of view, encounter almost every single time I’m spiritual calling - like a real sense of who you are and what at an industry event or on the road some it is uniquely that you have to express. place and it’s kind of fleshly. Sometimes that made all the And then the third thing, is a strong there is this thing that rises up in me difference. sense of ministry and purpose. where I hear, “… well aren’t you doing Gaines: a great job?” And it’s in this moment Authenticity, because the where I literally have to say to myself or say to that label is a partner, we’re not miracle workers. We come voice, “… no, this is not about me.” along side you and plug you into a huge machine that amplifies your sound, and that’s what we do. So, Recently, Peter York spoke to us in a staff meeting and authenticity is key because at the end of the day it’s his words impacted me. He reminded us that we are going to shine through in interviews, on the road and not God’s gift to the music business; we are all here even in the studio. to serve the artists and the people that we work with each day. Those words continue to resonate with me, Motown Gospel has, since its inception, been an artist because there are times that I feel like I have failed development label and I believe, it has in the gospel in thinking that I was a gift to my client, or because community consistently broken more brand-new artists I was an attorney that worked in New York at a really and unknown artists than any other label in the gospel prestigious firm I was bringing great business and community over the course of the past two decades. It’s legal acumen to the gospel community. It’s easy to let just what Ken’s focus was, it’s where his heart was and our heart shift from a service mindset to a selfish one. it’s what his mission was for the label. So, it continues to I try to be cautious of this. It’s so easy, especially in be our mission. We want to not just push the established the entertainment industry, to attach glitz and glam to artist like Tasha Cobbs Leonard, but we also want to something and buy into your own hype. It’s a test that I find and identify new talent that’s emerging, like Gene beat a little bit more regularly now than I used to earlier Moore. But above the talent, we need to know that when
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we take them to interviews on Good Morning America, or to we’re doing is gone, then this feels the same as any other meet with fans at the meet-and-greet line, their character trade. But we know that this is not just a trade for us. It’s a and heart are genuine. As marketers of their music, we can calling. We feel that we were formed and created to do this take them so far, but in those moments their authenticity thing. Fortunately, at Capitol, we have the ability to cast connects them to the consumer. vision and share that, and it’s been affirmed every step of the way, and even challenged and said – “well, do more!” What’s the hope and the vision that you all have for And so that’s great, but I think if we don’t feel that sense of what you’re building at Motown Gospel? fulfillment it would be our responsibility to step aside so that someone could come in and do it. Coates: Ken’s passion and vision when he founded what was EMI Gospel and as it became Motown Gospel really From both a personal and a professional was to find, develop, and launch the next generation of standpoint, who has had the greatest influence on gospel artists. And to him, that didn’t just mean great you? singers - it meant great artists, ministers, great songwriters, great performers, and great communicators of necessary Coates: Professionally it would be Ken Pennell, and sentiment. He always looked for people like that, and personally it would be Reginald M. Lane, who was my invested heavily into people like that – and we’re very much pastor and spiritual father when I started my career. of that mindset. Gaines: Honestly, personally and professionally – my wife, Gaines: I couldn’t say that better. I would answer the same Janice Gaines. On a personal level, she challenges me. If thing for us. And I think I can speak for Monica in this - we she sees pride rising up in me at all, she and the rest of my are blessed to have a very diverse set of experiences, and closest friends will be like, “… hey, you’re fooling yourself diverse set of skills. Monica went to school for journalism. a little bit and it’s not cute.” And that’s just the end of that! I’m an attorney. There are things that we could do outside She’s also a recording artist. When I was a manager - she of running a label that would at least pay our bills. So, was one of my clients. There would be times that I didn’t at the point at which we look up here at this label and understand the artist’s mindset, because it rubbed against all we’re doing is paying our bills, we know we’ve got to what I wanted or what I was doing. She illuminated a lot of address something, because if the passion behind what things for me from an artist viewpoint.
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