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.

Read his full obituary here.

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

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

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

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

Pictured (L-R): LASAL Founder Sam ASH and Capitol CMG’s President Brad O’donnell

LASAL, a label founded by producer and artist Samuel ASH, has revealed a strategic joint venture partnership with Capitol CMG. The companies hope to deliver inspiring music and messaging that combines faith-driven creativity and global reach.

The venture debuted yesterday (Jan. 30), with a unified mission to amplify artistry and champion diverse voices across all languages and cultures. Capitol will collaborate with LASAL in signing and developing artists.

“LASAL was founded to be more than just a record label; it’s a calling,” explains ASH. “In Spanish, LASAL translates to ‘The Salt,’ which adds flavor and restores balance within the body. That is our purpose: to restore balance in the music industry while allowing artists to freely express their creativity and faith without limits. Capitol CMG shares this vision, and together, we believe we can inspire and impact the world.”

To commemorate the launch, ASH released his debut single, “DE LO MIO” on Jan. 17, with his album Entre Familia to follow at a later date. This release embodies LASAL’s transformative approach to music, bringing a sound and message that resonates worldwide.

Capitol CMG’s partnership offers decades of industry expertise and a global infrastructure to bring this music to the world stage.

“When we got to know Sam, it was clear that he was a special talent with a strong, global vision that aligned with ours,” shares Capitol CMG President Brad O’Donnell. “We are so excited about this collaboration with him and his team and the new opportunities we know this partnership will bring in the years to come.”

Rhett Akins, Mackenzie Carpenter and Johnny Clawson will join previously announced performers Old Dominion and Tyler Hubbard at CRS 2025’s “Bob Kinglsey’s Acoustic Alley” on Feb. 20.

“Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley,” hosted by Fitz from Country Top 40, honors the art of songwriting and showcases performances by some of the most skilled songwriters in the industry. To make the night even more special, Radio Ink will also present its “Top Country PDs” awards during the event.

Georgia native Akins launched his music career in 1994 with Decca Records, quickly gaining attention with two successful albums. His debut, A Thousand Memories (1995), included the No. 1 “That Ain’t My Truck,” followed by Somebody New (1996) and its chart-topping single “Don’t Get Me Started.” As a songwriter, Akins has achieved monumental success, writing over 36 No. 1’s for Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi and more. He’s also had the honor of collaborating with his son, Thomas Rhett, co-writing several of his hits such as “It Goes Like This,” “Life Changes” and “What’s Your Country Song.” Throughout his career, Akins has earned numerous accolades, including the CMA Triple Play Award eight times, the ACM Songwriter of the Decade award and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Hailing from Hull, Georgia, Carpenter fell in love with music as a child, writing songs with her brothers and singing in church. Now, as a singer-songwriter, she’s using her classic country voice to tell her story, backed by an ability to craft songs that resonate deeply with listeners. Raised in a lively, supportive family full of back porch jams and juicy drama, Carpenter embraces the chaos and humor of life, finding beauty in the mess. She kicked off her career as a songwriter with Lily Rose’s 2021 hit “Villain” and has since co-written tracks like “I’m Not Pretty,” “Indifferent” and “28th of June” with Megan Moroney, all while launching her own artist career. After signing with The Valory Music Co. in 2022, she has earned a slew of accolades, including spots on MusicRow’s Next Big Thing Artists Class of 2025, Spotify’s Hot Country 2024 Artists to Watch, CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2023, and Nashville Briefing’s Artists to Watch 2023. She’s also opened for Miranda Lambert, Moroney, Jake Owen, Parker McCollum, Craig Campbell and Ryan Hurd.

Clawson, a Nashville-based songwriter and artist originally from Leesburg, Virginia, signed with SMACK Songs in 2022. He co-wrote Blake Shelton’s current single, “Texas,” along with Ella Langley’s “weren’t for the wind.” His songwriting credits also include tracks for Lauren Alaina, Chris Young, Seaforth, Jon Pardi, Michael Ray, Josh Ross and more. As an artist, his own releases, including “Time Is Money,” have gained notable attention, with the song being featured on Bobby Bones’ Top 30 Countdown.

Drake Hyde, winner of the Loot8 competition, a virtual singer-songwriter contest designed to discover up-and-coming country talent, will also take the stage.

Anderson East is set to release his Rounder Records debut, Worthy, on May 30. He dropped a first taste of the album, “Say I Love You,” this week.

His first album in four years, Worthy is a reintroduction to East and his music, showcasing a portrait of the artist and person East has become and soundtracking his journey of personal and creative resilience, redemption and transformation.

Co-produced with longtime collaborator Dave Cobb, the 10-track collection is inspired by a pure love of song and sound and drips with Muscle Shoals radiance and soulful horns. East tapped Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Aaron Raitiere, Ashley Monroe and Trent Dabbs to help capture the project’s moments of vulnerability, surrealist confessions and unvarnished testimonials.

East will preview some of the tracks from Worthy at a show at The Basement in Nashville on Feb. 10.

Worthy Track List: 
1. “I’d Do Anything” (Anderson East, Aaron Raitiere, Ashley Monroe)
2. “Anyway” (Anderson East, Natalie Hemby)
3. “Say I Love You” (Anderson East, Trent Dabbs)
4. “Worthy” (Anderson East, Trent Dabbs)
5. “Never Meant To Hurt You” (Anderson East, Ben Chapman, Dave Cobb)
6. “Before It Gets Better” (Anderson East, Natalie Hemby, Dave Cobb)
7. “Fool Myself” (Anderson East, Trent Dabbs, Maddie Medley)
8. “Reasons” (Anderson East, Trent Dabbs)
9. “Chasing You” (Anderson East, Lori McKenna)
10. “Right Where You Were Meant To Be” (Anderson East, Andy Gullahorn, Drew Kennedy)