President and partner of Dualtone Music Group Paul Roper died on Tuesday (December 17) after a battle with cancer. Roper was 45.
A statement from Nashville-based Dualtone Music Group noted, “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.”
A graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, Roper joined Dualtone Music Group in 2002 as an intern and rose through the ranks to become president and partner. He has also been instrumental in signing artists and overseeing the release of over 200 albums, supporting works by The Lumineers, Gregory Alan Isakov, Mt. Joy, Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, Brett Dennen, Wilder Woods, Guy Clark, June Carter Cash and others. Many of these albums and artists would go on to earn Americana Music Awards wins as well as Grammy Award nominations and trophies.
In 2022, Roper was named to Billboard's annual Indie Power Players list.
Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers said: “When we started the tour with our 15-passenger van, we would park at the venue and wait until it was time to load up. We didn't have money for hotels and usually shared Subway or Clif Bar sandwiches with each other. 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 gesture for us. I will never forget that.”
Roper is survived by his wife and their four children. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corner to Corner in Roper's memory.
