President & CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville Ben Vaughn Dies

Beloved publisher Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville, unexpectedly passed away the morning of January 30. He was 49.

Co-Chair and COO of Warner Chappell Music Carianne Marshall and Co-Chair and CEO, Guy Moot confirmed Vaughn’s passing in an email to employees.

“It is with broken hearts that we share the unthinkable news that Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, passed away this morning,” it read. “Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends.”

Vaughn worked at Warner Chappell Music Nashville for 12 years. Warner Chappell Music is the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group.

He notes on his social media profile: “Music City is my city” and “I dig songwriters.”

The executive was known for his kind heart and ear for songs. In his role at Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Vaughn oversaw nearly every aspect of the company, including A&R, administration, business development, finance, and human resources. Vaughn also worked closely with songwriters to help refine their craft and advocated for their compensation and protection.

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Ben Vaughn: “I Dig Songwriters”

The Sullivan, Kentucky, native was named one of Nashville’s 40 Under 40 and was Billboard‘s Country Power Players executive of the year in 2020. Billboard reports Vaughn joined Warner Chappell Nashville in 2012. He was promoted to president in 2017 and became CEO in 2019. He graduated from Belmont University and received Belmont’s Music City Milestone Award in 2015.
Warner Chappell Music Nashville thrived under his leadership. In 2024, the company won ASCAP Country Music and BMI Publisher of the Year, and Billboard reported their third consecutive quarter at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay publisher rankings.

“First and foremost, Ben was an extraordinary human being. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity,” said the note from Marshall and Moot. “His smile was huge, and his sense of humor was infectious.”

The note concluded: “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.”

Vaughn has three children. His wife, Carlee Ann Vaughn, died in 2022 following a 15-year battle with brain cancer. The couple were married in 1998.

Vaughn’s arrangements have not been announced.

Photo provided to American Songwriter