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.
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.
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).
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.
