Music News 7/5/12

MusicRow has learned that EMI Music Publishing Nashville Executive VP/GM Ben Vaughn has exited the company in the wake of the completed merger with Sony/ATV.

Vaughn became the youngest publisher to lead a major Nashville organization such as EMI, where he has spent the last 10 years and helmed the company since 2010. During this time EMI’s market share has grown from 7.3% in Q1 2010 when Vaughn took over, to 14.1% in Q1 2012. He personally signed songwriters such as Dallas Davidson (current ACM/BMI Songwriter of the Year), Rhett Akins (BMI Songwriter of the Year), Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott (SESAC Songwriter of the Year) and others.

Vaughn got an early start in the publishing game being named GM at Big Tractor Music at just 20 years old. He currently serves on the Board of the Academy of Country Music, is a Governor on the Nashville NARAS Board and an active member of the CMA and NMPA.

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Stephanie Cox

Longtime publisher Stephanie Cox recently joined Kobalt Music as VP Creative. She most recently worked for Monument Publishing as part of Sony Music Nashville. Cox reports to Kobalt Senior VP Creative, Whitney Daane, head of the Nashville operation. She can be reached at stephanie.cox@kobaltmusic.com.

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Cheri Cranford has exited her post at Sony Music Nashville after almost 25 years with the company. She says, “it has been a great ride beginning at Arista with Tim, through the RCA Label Group years with Joe and Butch, and most recently my time, although short, with Gary O. Now I will look forward to the next chapter.” She can be reached at cheri.cranford@comcast.net.

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Kerri Edward’s KP Entertainment/Red Light Management office has hired Jacoby Knott. The recent MTSU graduate earned a degree in Business Administration/Management and previously interned at Skyville Records, Jewell Entertainment and Taillight TV.

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Singer/songwriter Brent Wesley has inked a deal with Sea Gayle Music Publishing. Following his participation in ASCAP’s Country Music Workshop under the direction of Bonnie Baker, Wesley won the 2011 ASCAP Foundation Leon Brettler Award and got the chance to perform at Lincoln Center in New York. He later participated in ASCAP’s GPS Project, pairing him with Sea Gayle’s Liz O’Sullivan.

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Celia Froehlig, VP of Black River Publishing, has announced the re-signing of songwriter Josh Osborne. “Josh was the first writer I signed back in 2010 when I joined Black River Publishing,” says Froehlig. “He is and will continue to be a valued member of our BRE family.” Osborne’s current credits include “Come Over” (Kenny Chesney) and “Neon” (Chris Young). He also has writing credits on upcoming releases by Greg Bates, Gwen Sebastian, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves and more.

L-R: VP of Black River Publishing Celia Froehlig, Osborne, Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr