Benny Brown Acquires Wide Open Music Publishing, Forms North Chapel Music

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Pictured (L-R, back row): North Chapel Music’s Jason Sellers and Wendy Buckner. (L-R, front row): North Chapel Music’s Benny Brown and Paul Compton. Photo: Courtesy of North Chapel Music

Music industry veteran Benny Brown has acquired Wide Open Music Publishing and launched a new publishing venture, North Chapel Music.

North Chapel Music is now home to Wide Open Music’s entire song catalog, including Billboard No. 1 hits such as Brett Young’s RIAA Diamond-certified “In Case You Didn’t Know,” Matt Stell’s double-Platinum “Prayed For You,” and George Birge’s recent chart-topper, “Cowboy Songs,” as well as Birge’s Mediabase country No. 1 “Mind On You.”

Brown has signed five new writers to publishing deals with North Chapel Music: genre-blending country artist Matt Cooper, modern country traditionalist Spencer Hatcher, Hatcher’s brother and bandmate Connor Hatcher, hit country songwriter Jason Sellers, and Runaway June founding member Jennifer Wayne.

Former Wide Open Music executive Paul Compton has been tapped to serve as Executive Vice President for North Chapel Music. In his new role, Compton will be responsible for all day-to-day creative and administrative management duties. With more than 30 years of publishing experience, Compton founded the companies Music Highway Writer Services and The Songwriter Agency.

“I’m grateful to Benny for entrusting me to lead his vision of the newly formed North Chapel Music,” says Compton. “With our growing roster of established writers and developing artist writers, North Chapel will serve as a direct source of music and artistry for Benny’s QHMG record labels, as well as servicing career-elevating music and talent for the global music market.”

In addition to signing Jason Sellers as a songwriter, Brown has appointed him as North Chapel Music’s Senior Creative Director. Sellers has been in music his entire life, working as a musician, vocalist and producer since he was 18. As a songwriter, he has numerous awards and No. 1s to his credit. Sellers will continue in his role as a Partner at sister company Quartz Hill Music Group.

“Since the day we launched Brown Sellers Brown, now QHMG, I suspected Benny would wanna get back deeper into publishing,” says Sellers. “He loves our artists, he loves our teams, but he LOVES great songs. And I do too. So, whether it’s writing, or broader strategy, I’m very excited to support him in this new venture.”

Brown has also appointed Wendy Buckner as Creative Director for North Chapel Music, reporting to Compton. She brings more than 20 years of experience in publishing, music and TV production, and artist management. Her most recent role has been at BSB Management, as Day-to-Day Manager for multiple artists.

North Chapel Music is now also home to Wide Open Music’s roster of writers, including Jaron Boyer, Neal Coty, Matt Gorman, Joe Hanson, Joe Haydel, Lakelin Lemmings, Tim Owens, Chris Ray, Aaron Scherz, John Stephens and Nathan Woodard.

Wide Open Music was founded in 2013 by music industry executives Steve Williams and Ash Bowers. The launch of North Chapel Music does not affect Bowers’ role as Executive Vice President at sister company QHMG.

Industry veteran Brown’s legacy includes founding BBR Music Group (including Magic Mustang Music), which is now part of BMG, and current venture Quartz Hill Music Group, which includes Quartz Hill Records, Stone Country Records and BSB Management. North Chapel Music is not part of QHMG, but rather a sister company.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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