WHO KNEW Announces Nashville Rising Speaker Line Up

The music industry's most popular networking event returns with an amazing lineup of industry leaders sharing their wisdom, stories and predictions about their segment of the industry. Come meet the speakers and all the other industry leaders in the room. TICKETS

Phil Thornton

Phil Thornton is senior vice president and general manager of RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, where he works with artists such as Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp and Donnie McClurkin. Prior to his position at RCA, Thornton served as vice president and general manager, Urban Inspirational at eOne Music, where he oversaw a diversified list of Gospel, Christian, and R&B artists such as Lalah Hathaway, Erica Campbell, Michelle Williams, Shirley Caesar, Jonathan McReynolds, and Tweet. Thornton still serves as executive producer on the eOne-created hit show "It's a Mann's World," starring David and Tamela Mann, which airs on BET and is going into its third season.

Thornton also runs Phillionaire Worldwide Publishing/Beat Syndicate and has co-written and produced records for a several artists including Eminem's single ft. Bruno Mars "Lighters," which garnered two BMI Awards for the Most Played Pop & Urban Records of 2011.He has numerous TV and film production credits to his name including "LisaRaye: The Real McCoy" and "I Married A Baller," starring Eddie George and his wife Taj, of the multi-platinum recording group SWV.

Jackie Patillo

Her professional introduction to the music business began in 1989 when she was hired by Star Song Communications to develop Christian and Gospel products. She signed and was instrumental in launching the careers of Sierra and the legendary trio Phillips, Craig & Dean. She was promoted to Vice President in 1995 and later launched Star Song's Gospel division. Two years later Benson Music Group recruited her to its A&R department, utilizing her skills to bring to the forefront emerging artist Natalie Grant. In 2001 Patillo was invited to join Integrity Music and initiate the formation of Integrity Gospel. With her guidance, she advanced the careers of well-known artists including Joe Pace and The Colorado Mass Choir, Israel and New Breed, Alvin Slaughter, Lisa McClendon and Stephen Hurd.In 2006 Patillo packed her bags for New York at the invitation of Max Siegel, head of Verity Records. Working as Vice President of A&R and Artist Development, she led the creative division of the largest Gospel music company in the world. Adapting to the times, she revamped her staff and quickly saw the cross-over success of Marvin Sapp's gold-certified hit "Never Could Have Made It." She has provided guidance for Verity veterans Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Byron Cage, Kurt Carr, Dave Hollister and others. She exited Verity in late 2010 and became the Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association merging her gifts to serve and be an advocate for all gospel music makers. Meet Phil, Jackie as well as the rest of this amazing lineup of speakers: • Shannon Sanders - GRAMMY winning producer & Program Director 102.1 The VILLE.

• Claude Kelly + Chuck Harmony - Co-founders & CEO's of the Weirdo Workshop
• Anasa Troutman - Founder/CEO, Eloveate
• Gina Miller - Vice President and General Manager Entertainment One Nashville
• H. Beecher Hicks, III - President & CEO at National Museum of African American Music

Like all WHO KNEW events, we will be giving away great prizes from our sponsors and providing free tastings of Four Roses Bourbon.

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