Nashville Mourns The Loss Of Ben Vaughn
Ben Vaughn
Shock and grief rocked the Nashville music community yesterday (Jan. 30) with the news that President & CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville Ben Vaughn had tragically passed away.
Vaughn spent over a decade at the helm of the company, overseeing all creative and commercial activities across A&R, administration, business development, finance and human resources. Vaughn also worked with staff songwriters, while actively engaging in songwriter advocacy and rights protection initiatives.
Songwriters, artists and industry members took to social media to share remembrances of Vaughn. Below are some of those messages.
From Belmont, to internships, to first jobs, to today, we worked our dreams and careers in tandem for nearly 30 years. Ben Vaughn was a deep man of God and a follower of Jesus Christ. He was a Music Row Titan who believed in the power of music, the magic of a song, and the unending value of songwriters everywhere. His career accolades are astonishing and were only eclipsed by his love for his children and late wife Carlee. Nashville feels emptier without him, but his spirit will always live on thanks to the enduring legacy he’s created. – Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville
Man, this one hurts. Ben changed our lives when he signed us to a publishing deal 12 years ago and we have been together ever since. He was a true champion for songwriters, and a good friend. Sending lots of love to his family and our Nashville community who will all miss him dearly. Rest in peace Brother. – Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay
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Like so many in our industry, I knew Ben as a thoughtful, creative, passionate leader, a man who believed in the power of great songs, who loved country music, and who worked tirelessly to support songwriters. Yet I also had the unique opportunity to experience Ben’s love of Belmont University and his deep passion for supporting the next generation of industry leaders. Ben was a Belmont alum, a Belmont parent, the chair of the Curb College Advisory Board, and, in August, he began serving on the University’s Board of Trustees. Ben met his wife Carlee and got engaged on campus, and he was so proud when his son decided to enroll at Belmont this fall. Ben was a critical figure in my own journey to Belmont, and I have witnessed and learned about the investment he made in mentoring countless Belmont students and alumni with dreams of working in the music business. I will forever remember Ben as a Godly man of strong character, whose humor, kindness, warmth and generosity were evident to all who had the good fortune to know him, and I will remember him as my friend. – Brittany A. Schaffer, Dean, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
One of the first people I met when I came to Nashville and one of my favorites…one of the last song guys left. RIP buddy. – Riley Green
I am going to miss my friend. Ben was always kind, honest and a champion for songwriters and artists. So unbelievably generous. We also never had a conversation that he didn’t brag on his incredible children. This town will never be the same. We have worked together since 2009. Like all of Nashville today, I’m heartbroken and in continual prayer for his children and family. – Hillary Scott of Lady A
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Ben was a humble, even quiet man, with a huge heart and love for songwriters and his team. His devotion and care of his late wife Carlee as she fought cancer was absolutely beautiful. His love for his children was above all else, his priority. Our community has lost a friend and a great man. – Troy Tomlinson, Universal Music Publishing Nashville
The Nashville songwriting community lost a warrior, a mentor, a leader, and a friend today. Ben Vaughn graduated college and worked his way up the ladder to the highest level and carried that role of President/CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville with dignity and strength. He oversaw their incredible success for over a decade. He has been my publisher, in some capacity, for at least 20 years and there is no one more respected in the world of music publishing. The songwriters of Nashville are better off today because of Ben and he leaves an incredible void on music row both professionally and personally. We send our prayers to his children during this terrible time. – Lee Thomas Miller, NSAI President
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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 CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville. He served as Board Chair of the Academy in 2018 and was the first music publisher to serve as chairman in the Academy’s history, in addition to serving on the ACM Lifting Lives board. On behalf of the ACM Board, ACM Lifting Lives Board, and the ACM staff, we send our condolences to Ben’s family, friends, coworkers, and all of those who crossed his path and were lifted up by his passion. His memory will live on forever through the great music he made happen. – Damon Whiteside, CEO, Academy of Country Music
This man believed in the band as songwriters from the very beginning. More than that though, he was a kind soul and a great friend. – Charles Kelley of Lady A
