Kenny MacPherson, Co-Founder of Big Deal Music and Veteran Publishing Executive, Dies at 71

Kenny MacPherson, the veteran music publishing executive and Big Deal Music co-founder who signed acts ranging from Radiohead to Ray LaMontagne, died October 23 in Los Angeles at age 71, Billboard reported.

Early Days in Glasgow and London

Born in Largs, Scotland, on April 11, 1955, MacPherson started out managing concerts at Glasgow’s Apollo Theatre. That role led to tour-management work with comedian Billy Connolly. A conversation in London with Connolly’s publisher, Bill Martin, steered MacPherson toward the publishing business, a path he recalled during a 2019 interview with Billboard.

After moving to the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s, MacPherson worked with the Manhattan Transfer and worked with Supertramp’s management company. He later helped launch a publishing arm for Supertramp’s management company.

Building Rosters at Warner/Chappell and Chrysalis

In 1989, MacPherson joined Warner/Chappell to run its New York office. During a 13-year tenure that spanned both coasts, he signed or developed artists including Radiohead, Underworld, Paul Westerberg, the Afghan Whigs, and the Blue Nile, Billboard reported. His roster also included BRMC during his time at the company.

MacPherson took over Chrysalis Music’s North American division in 2002. According to Billboard, the branch brought aboard Thom Yorke, St. Vincent, Beach House, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Ray LaMontagne, My Morning Jacket, and OutKast during his tenure, as well as producers Dave Sitek and Ethan Johns. He remained with Chrysalis until BMG acquired the company in late 2010.

Launching Big Deal Music

In 2012, MacPherson partnered with longtime colleagues Dave Ayers and Jamie Cerreta to co-found Big Deal Music, operating offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville. The independent publisher reunited him with previous signings like LaMontagne, My Morning Jacket, and St. Vincent, while adding writers and artists including Blake Mills, Weyes Blood, Kamasi Washington, Sharon Van Etten, Sylvan Esso, and Sleater-Kinney.

The company earned recognition as the Association of Independent Music Publishers’ indie publisher of the year in 2017. In September 2020, Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquired Big Deal, rebranding it as Hipgnosis Songs Group with MacPherson serving as CEO.

Industry Tributes

Friends and collaborators remembered MacPherson following his death. Supertramp bassist Dougie Thomson, a friend of 50 years, told HITS Daily Double that MacPherson was like a brother. Dan Wilson shared on social media that MacPherson was a loyal friend and a great person to have in one’s corner.

He is survived by extended family, sister Anne Cowgill, granddaughter Kate Land, daughter Nicole Walker, and his wife, photographer Melanie Nissen. No cause of death was given.