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Musicians and songwriters across the board including Christian artists, are mourning the loss of a well-known and well-loved music publishing executive.
Ben Vaughn, CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, died on Thursday.
Vaughn played a large role in for KING & COUNTRY's songs "God Only Knows" and "For God is With Us."
"Nashville lost a legend. And we lost a dear friend. A soft soul. Someone who believed in art and artists, and in the importance of music with a mission. Someone of whom, without his insight and orchestration, songs like “God Only Knows“ or “For God is With Us“ and hundreds of others from other artists and bands, wouldn’t exist. We are grieved," said Joel Smallbone in a post on Facebook. "I am grieved. Send a prayer with me for his family, and pull your own loved ones a little closer today."
Warner Chappell Music co-chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall say Vaughn had led the Nashville team since 2012.
"First and foremost, Ben was an extraordinary human being. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. His smile was huge, and his sense of humour was infectious," said Moot and Marshall in a statement. "He was always a passionate advocate of songwriters and a top-flight 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 was 49 years old. His cause of death has not been released.