Entertainment One Music exec Phil Thornton has been named Senior Vice President and General Manager of RCA Inspiration – the Sony gospel label which, we learned earlier this week, is moving to Nashville under the Provident Music Group.
Thornton most recently served as VP and General Manager of Urban Inspirational at eOne Music, where he oversaw Gospel, Christian, and R&B artists.
At RCA Inspiration, he will manage business operations, and establish external partnerships for the label.
Thornton will report to Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, and will be based in Nashville.
“Phil Thornton is a demonstrated leader and visionary with an infectious passion for Gospel music and breaking artists,” said Terry Hemmings.
“We are thrilled to have him leading the RCA Inspiration team with its renewed focus on the future while continuing to honor the imprint’s rich decades-long heritage.”
“I am excited to join RCA Inspiration, and work with its exceptional roster of artists,” said Phil Thornton.
“I am honored to join RCAI at a time where we are well poised to expand inspirational music experiences.”
Phil Thornton
“We are in the midst of an unprecedented shift in consumer music consumption and media habits and I am honored to join RCAI at a time where we are well poised to redefine and expand inspirational music experiences.
“Thank you to Provident Music Group President/CEO Terry Hemmings for this opportunity and endless gratitude to God for His amazing blessings and continued guidance on this new journey.”
Thornton’s career includes his formation of Ten2One Entertainment in 2007, which specialised in TV production and artist management.
Overseeing the artist management operation, Thornton looked after talent including Faith Evans, Michelle Williams, Kenny Lattimore, and Mack Wilds.
He also served as executive producer of TV One’s hit show “R&B Divas Atlanta,” as well as its popular spin-off “R&B Divas L.A.”
Thornton also serves as executive producer on the hit show “It’s a Mann’s World,” which airs on BET and stars David and Tamela Mann.
Thornton sits on several boards including the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter, the Gospel Music Association, and the board for the new National Museum of African American Music.
He is heavily involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Hope for Harvest, a Charlotte-based not-for-profit organization that provides clothing, school supplies, and necessities for underprivileged children.
RCA Inspiration (formerly Verity Gospel Music Group), is the Gospel label operating under Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
Voted Billboard‘s #1 “Gospel Songs Label” for the past 15 years, RCA Inspiration is the home of artists Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Le’Andria Johnson, Fred Hammond and many more, which also includes artists on Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Recordings label.
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