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.
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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.
“Country music is more global today than at any time in its history and the opportunities for Nashville’s songwriters have never been greater,” Gerson said in a statement. “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.”
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.
“Jody Gerson is an exceptional leader who remains steadfastly passionate about fighting for creatives and their art,” Van Valkenburg said in a statement. “I’m grateful for her trust and the opportunity to lead UMPG Nashville into its next chapter. Timeless songs and brilliant songwriters are the foundation of our business and I’m excited to work with our Nashville team to recognize exceptional talent, champion creativity and help songwriters realize their full potential. Building on UMPG Nashville’s incredible legacy means embracing new ways of doing business while strengthening our place among the world’s great creative communities. I want to honor Troy Tomlinson for his genuine love of songwriters, his willingness to share his wisdom and experience with the many of us who look up to him, and his long-standing leadership within UMPG and the greater Nashville creative community.”
Tomlinson has served as Chairman/CEO of UMPG Nashville since 2019. During his more than four decades in the music industry, Tomlinson has played a key role in guiding the careers of artists including Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Megan Moroney, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Kelsea Ballerini. He has also championed songwriters including Chase McGill, Tom Douglas, Tony Lane, Jim Beavers, Rodney Crowell, Dean Dillon and Casey Beathard. He has been honored with the CMA songwriter advocate award (2024) and Belmont University’s Robert E. Mulloy award of excellence (2016).
“Having worked with Troy for nearly 15 years, first at Sony and then at UMPG, has been a gift, and I’m deeply grateful for his leadership and friendship,” Gerson added. “He is loved and respected throughout Nashville by the songwriters and artists he’s championed and, equally, by his countless colleagues across the industry. Troy is an icon in the Nashville and publishing communities, and I’m thrilled that, as he eases into retirement after such an illustrious career, he’s agreed to stay on as an advisor and continue sharing his wisdom and experience with us.”
During his career, Tomlinson previously served as president/CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville from 2005 to 2019 and joined the company in 2002. Prior to his work at Sony/ATV, he spent 15 years at Acuff-Rose, where he rose to the role of executive vp. Tomlinson also previously led the Nashville division of Fame Music Publishing.
“Reuniting with Jody, an extraordinary leader and dear friend, has been deeply rewarding, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together,” Tomlinson said in a statement. “I’m also grateful to our Nashville team for their never-ending passion and commitment to songwriters. Having brought Josh onto our creative team at Sony/ATV many years back, I know firsthand his ear for songs, eye for talent and deep understanding of music publishing. I’m thrilled Josh will lead UMPG Nashville and confident he’ll take this team to new heights. After more than four decades in music publishing, I’m looking forward to more time with my family, especially spoiling my grandsons, and I’m deeply grateful to my wife for the love and care she’s given us all.”
