Benny Brown Acquires Wide Open Music Publishing, Forms New Publishing Company

Music executive Benny Brown has acquired all assets from Wide Open Music Publishing and formed the new music publishing venture North Chapel Music.

The new publishing company is now home to the full song catalog of Wide Open Music (launched by Ash Bowers and Steve Williams in 2013), including Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” George Birge’s “Mind On You” and Matt Stell’s “Prayed For You.” Wide Open Music’s roster of songwriters is now also with North Chapel, including Jaron Boyer, Neal Coty, Matt Gorman, Joe Hanson, Joe Haydel, Lakelin Lemmings, Tim Owens, Chris Ray, Aaron Scherz, John Stephens and Nathan Woodard. Five additional songwriters have also signed publishing deals with North Chapel Music, including Matt Cooper, Spencer Hatcher, Connor Hatcher, Jason Sellers and Jennifer Wayne (founding member of Runaway June).

Brown has named former Wide Open Music executive Paul Compton as executive vp of North Chapel Music, where he will be responsible for all day-to-day creative and administrative management duties. In addition to being signed as a songwriter, Jason Sellers has been named as North Chapel Music’s senior creative director, while Wendy Buckner has been named as creative director for North Chapel Music, reporting to Compton. Most recently, Buckner was a day-to-day manager for artists at BSB Management.

Brown’s career history includes founding BBR Music Group (now part of BMG). He most recently launched Quartz Hill Music Group, inclusive of Quartz Hill Records, Stone Country Records and BSB Management (North Chapel Music serves as a sister company to Quartz Hill Music Group).

Bowers was previously named executive vp of Quartz Hill Music Group and will continue in that role.

“I’m excited to launch North Chapel Music, where great songs and great songwriters will always be our greatest assets,” Brown said in a statement. “There’s so much value in our catalog, and especially in our people, so I jumped at the chance to get back into the publishing business.”   

“I’m grateful to Benny for entrusting me to lead his vision of the newly formed North Chapel Music,” Compton said. “With our growing roster of established writers and developing artist writers, North Chapel will serve as a direct source of music and artistry for Benny’s QHMG record labels, as well as servicing career-elevating music and talent for the global music market.” 

“Since the day we launched Brown Sellers Brown, now QHMG, I suspected Benny would wanna get back deeper into publishing,” Sellers added. “He loves our artists, he loves our teams, but he LOVES great songs. And I do too. So, whether it’s writing, or broader strategy, I’m very excited to support him in this new venture.”