The Nashville music community is heartbroken over the loss of President & CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Ben Vaughn, who died on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 30. His cause of death has not been revealed.
Hailing from a small Kentucky town of Sullivan with a population of just 500 people, the 49 year old developed a lifelong love for the country music genre. He took a job at his local radio station, WMSK, before enrolling at Nashville’s Belmont University. While in school, he began his publishing career on as an intern at Warner Chappell’s partner company, Big Tractor Music. When the company’s leader at the time parted ways, 21-year-old Vaughn was put in charge and given six months to prove himself. He succeeded in growing the small publishing company while earning his college degree.
After six years at Big Tractor, Vaughn transitioned to another leadership position at EMI, where he ran the creative department for seven years. At 34, he earned the title of youngest executive to lead a major publisher in Nashville and was named EVP and GM of EMI Music Publishing. Eventually, his job came full circle as he returned to the company where he had started as an intern – Warner Chappell Nashville.
Vaughn led the company for over a decade. His duties included overseeing all creative and commercial activities across A&R, administration, business development, finance and human resources. In addition to working closely with staff songwriters, he played an active role in engaging in songwriter advocacy and rights protection initiatives. MusicRow reports that under Vaughn’s leadership, the company earned multiple Country Publisher of the Year honors from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, and took home the prestigious Triple Crown in 2019 by nabbing all three PRO awards. Collectively, his songwriters amassed 19 CMA, ACM, Grammy, or PRO Songwriter of the Year honors, 35 Song of the Year titles, and eight inductions into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Vaughn is preceded in death by his wife, Carlee Ann Vaughn. He is survived by three children: Ruby, Griffin and Zeke. Services have not yet been announced.
Upon learning the news, Warner Chappell leaders Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall sent the Warner Music Group staff a memo informing them of Vaughn’s passing. The memo has been obtained MusicRow and shared publicly across social media.
“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.”
The message goes on to commemorate Vaughn’s role as the leader of the Warner Chappell Nashville team since 2012 and all the lives he touched in that time.
“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,” the memo continues. “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.”
Guy and Carianne concluded by sharing plans to visit the Nashville team “very soon” and thanking those offering support amid this “awful tragedy.”
Upon hearing the news, many country music singers and songwriters who had the pleasure of working with Vaughn throughout his dedicated career honored his memory by sharing their heartfelt condolences to his family. It’s clear through the comments that came pouring in that Vaughn had a tremendous impact on the industry.
RaeLynn wrote, “Absolutely heartbreaking 😭.” Naomi Johnson said, “A huge loss for Nashville and the world. He will be greatly missed.” Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay added, “Heartbreaking. We all lost a good friend today. 💔 while Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild admitted she “Can’t believe it. 💔”
Other artists shared messages on Twitter and Instagram.
“I am so sad to hear about the passing of Ben Vaughn. Ben gave me my first publishing deal at Warner Chappell. It is hard to fathom; in the music business we’re all close, we’re all interacting all the time. Take care of each other. This is a tough one,” Troy Cartwright wrote via X.
I am so sad to hear about the passing of Ben Vaughn. Ben gave me my first publishing deal at Warner Chappell. It is hard to fathom; in the music business we’re all close, we’re all interacting all the time. Take care of each other. This is a tough one.
— Troy Cartwright (@troycartwright) January 30, 2025
Alana Springsteen dubbed Vaughn as “One of the best humans in Nashville and one of the few true champions of songs and songwriters. Will be so missed. Rip.”
Lily Rose also noted that he was “The kind of guy that made Nashville, Nashville. We just lost a pillar in this community. Prayers to his family. You’ll be so missed, ben.”
“Praying for his kids. What a beloved part of our Nashville community,” said Carly Pearce.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of need,” Warren Zeiders began. “Ben was one of the real ones in Nashville! One of the first guys I met when moving to town! He was a good man and had a true love for his people and country music! I write this with a heavy heart, but i know he’s with the Good Lord now. Thank you Ben for believing in me and my music and for the man you were! My you find peace in eternal life with our Heavenly father.”
Songwriter Josh Phillips shared a special memory while reflecting on his personal journey with Vaught. “Ben signed me to my first deal, and every deal after it. When we were about to have Hunter, he gave me more $$ so I could support my family. When Hunter was born, he sent us a pallet of diapers. When I wanted to hang it up, he told me to ‘just keep writing.’ When I got a hit, he was the person who woke me up texting/calling me the morning that it went No. 1. There were days we pissed each other off, but I always knew how much he cared for the songwriter. Nashville lost a dang good one today.”
The post Heartfelt Tributes Pour In For Ben Vaughn, Warner Chappell Music Nashville President & CEO, After His Passing appeared first on Country Now.
