Heartbreaking news from Music Row.
Ben Vaughn, President and CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville, died at 49 years old. The publishing veteran passed this morning, January 30th, and at this time, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Our hearts are heavy today in learning about the passing of longtime ACM Board Member and former ACM Board Chair, and good friend to all of us, Ben Vaughn.
Ben was a champion of the Country Music genre and strong advocate for songwriters and good songs, rising to President and… pic.twitter.com/MTmjxBO7bV
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) January 30, 2025
Ben Vaughn was one of Nashville’s youngest music executives, joining the Nashville team at Warner Chappell in 2012 before moving up the ranks and being named president in 2017, then climbing to president and CEO in 2019. The Kentucky native moved to Nashville, where he attended Belmont University, hoping to make it into the music industry like many students who attend the university for their esteemed Music Business Program.
Within weeks of moving to town, he secured an internship with Warner Chappell, starting his career in the field. After graduating, he interviewed at one of Warner Chappell’s partner companies, Big Tractor Music, where he was for six years before moving to EMI, where he impressively worked up the ranks to running the company by age 34.
According to Variety, after EMI was dissolved in a merger deal, Vaughn worked for Sony for a brief period before making his way back to his roots at Warner Chappell. Variety noted that Vaughn loved being able to lead a company that poured so much into him when he was a young man.
“I got to go back to a company where I started as an intern. How cool is that?”
At Warner Chappell, Vaughn solidified the company as an elite publishing company, consistently securing honors with BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC Awards. Vaughn himself was named 40 Under 40 executive, and in 2020, he was named Billboard’s Country Power Players exec of the year.
Today, after learning of his passing, Warner Chappell Music co-chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall shared the following statement with team members.
“To everyone at WMG,
It is with broken hearts that we share the unthinkable news that Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, passed away this morning. Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends.
Ben has led our Nashville team since 2012, and we know that many of you around the world got to know him over the years. Anyone who had the pleasure of working with him will be as shocked and saddened as we are.
First and foremost, Ben was an extraordinary human being. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. His smile was huge, and his sense of humor was infectious.
He was always a passionate advocate of songwriters and a topflight music publisher. The Nashville community has lost one of its greatest champions, and he will be profoundly missed by so many across our company and the entire industry.
We are planning to visit the Nashville team very soon and thank you all for helping support them through this awful tragedy.
With love,
Guy & Carianne”
Heartbreaking news, to say the least, and a great loss for music community.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the staff of Warner Chappell Nashville, Warner Chappell globally, and most importantly, his family and friends.
