My Biography
C.S. Lewis once observed, “The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” Having served in the Gospel music industry for nearly two decades, Monica A. Coates now walks confidently in the role of a modern educator. She brings a refreshing and balanced perspective to those seeking to make a lasting impact in today’s Gospel music marketplace with the release of her book, The Beginner’s Guide To The Gospel Music Industry: A Handbook For Aspiring Artists and Industry Executives.
Monica draws from her own experiences with some of the top names in Gospel music to introduce key industry concepts and vividly illustrate spiritual principles at work in the professional world. Reflected throughout the 216-page book is her passion to empower others on their journey to understand their God-given purpose, to realize their destiny.
For Monica, that journey began more than seventeen years ago. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Afro-American Studies from the University of Virginia and a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park, Monica Coates was set to pursue a career as a journalist. In the fall of 1991 she felt a call to turn her attentions instead toward service in the Gospel music industry.
In 1992 Monica became the first full-time employee of Face to Face Productions, the company founded by legendary Gospel artist, producer and songwriter Fred Hammond. She served there for six years, overseeing the daily functions of the award-winning production house and acting as Personal Manager to Hammond.
Monica began working in the marketing department of EMI Gospel in 1998. As Director, Promotion and Media Relations, she supervised the label’s Gospel radio promotion and media campaigns, working with a variety of talent including Bishop T.D. Jakes, Aaron Neville, Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers and Darwin Hobbs.
In 2001 Monica relocated to New York City, to begin a 5-year stint as Sr. Director of A&R for Verity records, the world’s leading Gospel record label. She was responsible for the daily functions of the A&R department and also served as the A&R point person for the album and long-form video projects of artists including Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and Vickie Winans.
From 2006-2009 Monica managed the career of psalmist and songwriter, Joann Rosario. In that capacity she was the A&R Director and Executive Producer for Rosario’s Stellar-Award-nominated CD Joyous Salvation.
After such a diverse career, writing The Beginner’s Guide was a natural instinct for Monica. “For years I had been inspired and enlightened in my work by books such as Donald Passman’s All You Need To Know About The Music Industry,” she says. “But over time, as I was approached repeatedly by people attempting to find their success in Gospel music, I realized there was no guidebook that spoke to the unique concerns of our marketplace. This was my chance to give back.”
Monica’s desire to illuminate the next generation of Gospel artists and industry executives is obvious throughout The Beginner’s Guide. Yet that passion is only one aspect of her vision.
As an extension of her desire to impact and empower the body of Christ, in 2008 Monica founded Paul Marchell Publishing. The independent publishing house based in Franklin, TN serves as the exclusive home for The Beginner’s Guide To The Gospel Music Industry and will release additional faith-based works in the future. The company’s mission statement is “to serve the Body of Christ by providing high-quality books and communication products that accurately reflect, explore, reveal and promote Biblical principles at work in the contemporary world.”
Over the years Monica has become a champion of the undiscovered, with a heart to exhort the next generation to reach beyond the ordinary and discover who they were truly created to be. “The journey won’t look the same for all of us,” she says. “But God is a strategic visionary. When you are bold enough to ask Him what He had in mind when He created you, you will find yourself face to face with some extraordinary truths and opportunities.”
Monica Coates currently resides near Nashville, TN where she serves as a writer, speaker and music industry consultant.
