Josh Van Valkenburg Named President of UMPG Nashville, Troy Tomlinson to Shift Into Advisory Role
Categoria: Musica
The leadership moves are expected to take effect as of Jan. 4, with Van Valkenburg reporting to UMPG chairman/CEO Jody Gerson.
Por Billboard | 10/11/2026
Nashville music industry veteran Josh Van Valkenburg has been named president at Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, Billboard has learned. Van Valkenburg, who will report to UMPG chairman/CEO Jody Gerson , will be based in Nashville and will assume the new role on Jan. 4, 2027. Concurrently, longtime UMPG Nashville chairman/CEO Troy Tomlinson will transition to an exclusive advisory role supporting the company, its songwriters and its artists. Related How Jody Gerson Has Made Publishing ‘The Hot Business’ Right Now Michael Sanft, Attorney Who Represented Keffe D in 2Pac Murder Trial, Dies at 54 Kenny MacPherson, Veteran Music Publisher and Big Deal Music Co-Founder, Dies at 71 In his new position, Van Valkenburg will oversee the management and creative direction of UMPG Nashville, leading the company in identifying, signing and developing rising talent, while supporting its roster of songwriters, artists and producers. He will continue to deepen the company’s relationships throughout Nashville’s creative community, as well as expand opportunities for the company’s songwriters and catalogs. Van Valkenburg most recently served as executive vp of creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville. He was promoted to the role in 2021 and oversaw A&R strategy, songwriter development and creative opportunities for the company’s roster of songwriters and writer-artists. He has led Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s creative efforts since 2015 and previously served as senior vp of creative. Van Valkenburg began his music publishing career at EMI Music Publishing in 2006, joined its A&R team as creative manager in 2008, and became creative director at Sony/ATV in 2012. During his career, Van Valkenburg has signed and been a champion for top songwriters including ASCAP songwriter of the year winner Josh Osborne , four-time BMI songwriter of the year winner Ross Copperman and SESAC songwriter of the year winner Jon Nite . Van Valkenburg has also championed hitmakers and award winners like Chris DeStefano , Natalie Hemby , Matt Rogers and Lindsay Rimes . He has also been involved in the careers of writers and artists including Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, Charlie Worsham, Guy Clark and Johnnyswim. Van Valkenburg serves on the CMA board of directors and is an alumni advisor for Leadership Music. Gerson said in a statement, “Country music is more global today than at any time in its history, and the opportunities for Nashville’s songwriters have never been greater. Josh brings the vision, ambition and leadership skills to build on that momentum, along with deep relationships throughout the creative community and a gift for identifying and developing exceptional songwriters. I’m thrilled to welcome him to UMPG and look forward to all he and our Nashville team will accomplish together.” Gerson said of Tomlinson, “Having worked with Troy for nearly 15 years, first at Sony and then at UMPG, has been a gift, a