Paul Roper, the widely respected Chairman of Dualtone Music Group, died on Tuesday (December 17) after a courageous battle with cancer.
Roper is survived by his wife and their four children.
“His loss will be deeply felt by his family, colleagues, artists, the Nashville music community and the music industry at large,” Dualtone Music Group’s parent company MNRK said in a statement this week.
Roper joined Dualtone Music Group in 2002 as an intern and quickly became a “driving force” within the label, rising through the ranks of President and Partner.
He has been instrumental in signing and releasing over 200 albums, earning Americana Music Association awards, multiple Grammy nominations and four Grammy wins.
Roper championed acclaimed albums by The Lumineers, Gregory Alan Isakov, Mt. Joy, Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, flipturn, Brett Dennen, Langhorne Slim, Wilder Woods, Guy Clark, Chuck Berry, Mouse Rat and June Carter Cash, among many others.
He was a proud graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South.
Roper is described by MNRK as “a visionary leader and pioneer in a musical space he named Amerikinda, celebrating great songwriting in a wide variety of genres.”
Added MNRK: “Known for his tireless advocacy for artists, Paul believed that the creative process and the music always came first. His passion for nurturing emerging and established voices will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him.”
Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers paid tribute to Roper: “When we started the tour with our 15-passenger van, we would park in the venue and bide our time until it was time to load up.
“We didn’t have money for hotels and usually shared Subway sandwiches or Clif Bars between us. I’ll never forget when Paul Roper showed up in the parking lot behind the venue in Nashville and met us with beer and pizza. It was a small gesture on his part, but a huge one for us. I will never forget that.”
MNRK added that under Roper’s leadership, “the label flourished, earning a reputation as a trusted partner for artists and a leader in independent music.”
In the wake of the 2020 East Nashville tornado, Roper reflected, “The spirit of this company has always been bigger than any one person or place. We have had many great memories in this building, but the heart of Dualtone is the music, the artists, the staff, the community. No storm could ever take it away.”
“Paul Roper’s legacy of kindness, integrity and deep love of music will continue to inspire us all.”
Added MNRK: “Paul’s vision and unwavering commitment continue to define the heart and soul of Dualtone. He led Dualtone and his team with dedication, authenticity, humor and kindness and will be sorely missed by all of us.
“Paul Roper’s legacy of kindness, integrity and deep love of music will continue to inspire us all.”
Paul Roper’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Corner to Corner in his memory.Music Business Worldwide
