Van Valkenburg Named UMPG Nashville Prez; Tomlinson Moves to Advisory Role
Universal Music Publishing Group is making a major leadership change in Nashville. Josh Van Valkenburg, most recently EVP of creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville, will become UMPG Nashville president on Jan. 4. He succeeds Troy Tomlinson, who’s taking on an exclusive advisory role after more than four decades in music publishing.
Reporting to UMPG Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, Van Valkenburg will oversee the division’s creative direction, A&R strategy and songwriter development. The move brings him to the other side of Music Row after a long run at Sony, where he began his leadership of Nashville’s creative efforts in 2015 and was promoted to EVP in 2021.
During his Sony tenure, Van Valkenburg signed and championed a roster that includes Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Chris DeStefano, Natalie Hemby, Matt Rogers and Lindsay Rimes. His writers have amassed more than 80 #1 Country singles. Van Valkenburg has also been involved in the careers of Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett and Brett Eldredge.
“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, citing Van Valkenburg’s ability to identify and develop songwriters and his relationships throughout the creative community.
Tomlinson has been UMPG Nashville chairman and CEO since 2019. His career has included senior leadership posts at Sony/ATV Nashville, Acuff-Rose Music Publishing and Fame Music Publishing and has been distinguished by countless relationships with songwriter and artists, among them Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Kelsea Ballerini. He received the CMA’s Songwriter Advocate Award in 2024.
Van Valkenburg called Tomlinson a mentor whose “genuine love of songwriters” and willingness to share his experience have shaped the Nashville community. Tomlinson, in turn, noted that he had brought Van Valkenburg onto Sony/ATV’s creative team years ago, adding that he knows firsthand his “ear for songs, eye for talent and deep understanding of music publishing.”
Added Gerson, “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.”
“Reuniting with Jody, an extraordinary leader and dear friend, has been deeply rewarding, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together,” Tomlinson offered. “I’m also grateful to our Nashville team for their never-ending passion and commitment to songwriters.”
Now, after more than 40 years in the biz, Tomlinson said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and spoiling his grandsons.