Benny Brown Launches New Publishing Firm After Acquiring Wide Open Music

Benny Brown, founder of BBR Music Group (BBR), has just finalized two major moves in the world of music publishing. He acquired the catalog and songwriter roster of Wide Open Music, and he will manage these assets under his newly opened publishing firm, North Chapel Music.

The deal:

• The Wide Open roster includes prominent songwriters such as Jaron Boyer, Neal Coty, Matt Gorman, Joe Hanson, Joe Haydel, and Lakelin Lemmings, who have written songs for major artists like Jason Aldean and Bailey Zimmerman.

• In addition to the Wide Open catalog, North Chapel signed new contracts with Matt Cooper, Spencer Hatcher, Connor Hatcher, Jason Sellers, and Jennifer Wayne.

North Chapel leadership:

• Paul Compton will take on the role of Executive Vice President of North Chapel after serving as an executive at Wide Open. He is the founder of Music Highway Writer Services and The Songwriter Agency.

• Songwriter Jason Sellers will be Senior Creative Director at North Chapel.

• Wendy Buckner, formerly of BSB Management, will report to Compton as creative director.

Background:

• Brown also owns Quartz Hill Music Group (QHMG), which includes Quartz Hill Records, Stone Country Records, and BSB Management in its portfolio.

• These new deals come after Brown left BBR following the company being acquired by BMG in 2017.

What they said:

• Compton: “I’m grateful to Benny for entrusting me to lead his vision of the newly formed North Chapel Music. 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.”