Capitol Christian ‘now in the best position’ to grow the business; RCA Inspiration sees key promotions

EMI Christian Music Group has unveiled its new name as Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG)—part of the newly launched Capitol Music Group, which includes Capitol Records, Virgin Records, Blue Note, Astralwerks, Harvest, Caroline and the Capitol Studios.

“We are very encouraged to be working alongside Steve Barnett and the amazing team he is building at the new Capitol Music Group,” said CCMG President and CEO Bill Hearn. “Being part of this team and with the strength of the Universal Music Group Distribution system, we are now in the best possible position to invest in and serve our artists and writers and grow our business.”

CCMG garnered three GRAMMYs with ForeFront Records’ TobyMac and sixstepsrecords’ Matt Redman during the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards held Feb. 10 in Los Angeles. 

EMI Christian Music Group was also recognized in the music category by CBA during its Second Annual Champions of the Faith Awards prior to the International Christian Retail Show last summer in Orlando, Fla.

Meanwhile, Verity Gospel Music Group has been renamed RCA Inspiration. Geo Bivins, who also remains senior vice president of urban promotion for RCA Records, has been named general manager to run day-to-day operations. 

In addition, Stanley Brown has been promoted to head of A&R, and Cheryl Marks to vice president of marketing. All three will remain in the company’s New York City headquarters.

“I am very excited to be working with so many great gospel artists,” Bivins said. “RCA Inspiration will continue the
tradition held by Verity Gospel Music Group as the leader in inspirational music. In addition to great music, I am equally excited to work with the best A&R, promotion and marketing team in the business.”

During his music career, Bivins, senior vice president of urban promotion for RCA Records since 2007, was responsible for the promotion of hits from many mainstream artists, including Snoop, Chingy, R. Kelly, Busta Rhymes and Notorious Big.

Brown, who had served as senior director of A&R for Verity since 2010, is an accomplished musician, producer and label executive with more than 20 years experience in the music business. Brown’s label executive experience includes vice president of A&R for Island Black Music, where he signed and oversaw projects by Karen Clark Sheard, Donald Lawrence and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Marks previously served as senior director of marketing for Verity, spearheading award-winning campaigns for Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and the “Wow Gospel” series. 

RCA Inspiration kicked off the year Jan. 22 with Bless This House, the eighth release from Kurt Carr. Other projects set for 2013 include Fred Hammond’s United Tenor; a debut album from BET’s Sunday Best audience favorite Latice Crawford; and the next installment from the “Wow Gospel” series. 

• Prev
• Next