Ben Won Passes Away
Ben Won, President and General Director of Warner/Chappell Nashville, died at the age of 49.
The news was confirmed today (January 30) in an internal note from the co-chairs of Warner Chappell Music, Clay Uy and Carianna Marshall.
“It is with broken hearts that we share unthinkable news that Ben, the president and executive director of Warner Chappell Nashville, died this morning,” the note states.
“Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends.”
Company Memorandum
You can read their memorandum in full below:
Everyone in WMG,
It is with broken hearts that we share unthinkable news that Ben, the president and executive director of Warner Chappell Nashville, died this morning. Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends.
Ben led our team in Nashville since 2012, and we know that many of you have met him around the world for many years. Anyone who had the pleasure to work with him will be as shocked and saddened as we are.
First of all, Ben was an extraordinary man. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. His smile was huge, and his sense of humor was contagious.
He has always been a passionate supporter of songwriters and the music publishing industry. The Nashville community has lost one of its greatest champions, and he will be deeply missed throughout our company and the entire industry.
We plan to visit Nashville very soon, and we thank everyone for their support during this terrible tragedy.
With love,
Clay Uy and Carianna Marshall
Legacy and Contributions
Throughout his publishing career, he worked with artists including Thomas Rhett, Devin Dawson, Dan + Shay, Midland, Cale Dodds, Lanco, Brandon Lay, Josh Phillips, Riley Green, Michael Ray, and many others.
Before his tenure at major labels, he managed an independent music company starting at the age of 20. He joined EMI as Vice President of A&R in 2002.
“Ben was an extraordinary person. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. His smile was huge, and his sense of humor was contagious. The Nashville community has lost one of its greatest champions, and he will be deeply missed in many corners of our company and the entire industry.”
Clay Uy and Carianna Marshall
In 2009, Won became the youngest leader to head a major publisher in Nashville as EVP & GM at EMI Music Publishing.
In 2017, Ben was appointed President of Warner Chappell Nashville, six years after transitioning to the company following a decade at EMI. In this role, he managed the entire Warner Chappell operation in Nashville, overseeing all creative and commercial activities across A&R, administration, business development, finance, and human resources.
Vaughn was again promoted in 2019 to the position of President and CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville.
In 2018, Ben Won became the first music publisher to serve as chairman of the Country Music Academy in its 52-year history.
Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, passes away
