Monica Coates, VP A&R, Motown Gospel
Motown Gospel has added two Vice Presidents to its executive staff. Ken Pennell, President of Gospel at Capital Christian Music Group (CCMG) announced the appointment of gospel music industry executives Monica Coates and EJ Gaines to the new positions of Vice President of A&R (Artists and Repertoire, division at record company that scouts and signs talent) and Vice President of Marketing, respectively. Both will report to Pennell. They will assume their positions on October 3 at Motown Gospel/CCMG’s headquarters in Nashville, TN.
Coates will preside over A&R, Creative and Promotions. Gaines will oversee Commercial Partnerships, Publicity and Events, Digital Marketing and Content Creation/Monetization, Sync and Business Affairs.
EJ Gaines, VP of Marketing, Motown Gospel
Both Coates and Gaines will work with CCMG Publishing to discover, sign and develop songwriters and expand the company’s existing roster of Gospel writers and producers, including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Tasha Cobbs, Aaron Lindsey and its vast catalog of owned and administered songs like Tamela Mann’s hit “Take Me to The King”, Tosha Cobbs’ “Break Every Chain”, “You Are Good” by Israel Houghton, “Soon and Very Soon” from Andrae Crouch, Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise”, Fred Hammond’s “No Weapon” and Marvin Sapp’s mega hit – “Never Would’ve Made It.”
Monica Coates is a 24-year veteran of the Gospel Music industry. She has held positions in artist management, promotion, publicity and A&R. Prior to joining Motown Gospel, Coates was General Manager at Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA where she oversaw campaigns for Franklin, The Walls Group, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Geoffrey Golden, and Christon Gray. She began her career at Fred Hammond’s Face to Face production company. Additionally, she worked at Verity Records (now RCA Inspiration) as Senior Director of A&R working with great artists like Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker. Coates published her first book, The Beginners Guide To The Gospel Music Industry in 2009.
Before coming to Motown Gospel EJ Gaines was an entertainment attorney and artist manager who guided the careers of top charting artists such as Jonathan McReynolds, William McDowell, Mary Mary, Donald Lawrence, Isaac Carree and Natalie Grant. He began his career at Jive Records and Verity Records. Gaines also served as an executive assistant to platinum-selling Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin.
Pennell said, “We are so excited to be naming Monica Coates and EJ Gaines to these important positions within Motown Gospel. They both bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles, and our artists will benefit greatly from their diverse skill sets, passion for music and belief in how Gospel Music can enrich the lives of its listeners. All of us within Motown Gospel and CCMG wholeheartedly welcome Monica and EJ to our family.”