Keith Urban Manager Gary Borman Retires After 50 Years in Business; ‘I’ll Forever Be Grateful,’ Country Star Says

This Sunday, the influential artist management firm Borman Entertainment will cease operations after half a century, following founder Gary Borman's retirement announcement. The news, initially broken by the New York Post, marks the end of an era for a company that shaped the trajectories of numerous music icons. Its legendary client roster included the Bee Gees, James Taylor, and a pivotal partnership managing the Rolling Stones alongside manager Steve Moir. The firm's eclectic reach extended across genres, representing everyone from Natalie Cole and Faith Hill to Dwight Yoakam, the Violent Femmes, and the jazz fusion ensemble Yellowjackets.

In a statement, Borman expressed profound gratitude for his career, extending thanks to the artists, mentors, and even professional adversaries who shaped his journey. "The opponents and difficult periods strengthened my determination and instructed me in managing both emotion and life," he reflected. Gary Borman, who started in the 1970s, is widely considered an architect of the modern management model, which prioritizes long-term artistic development over fleeting commercial success. His retirement underscores a generational shift in an industry where such enduring, founder-led institutions are becoming increasingly rare.

A significant immediate impact of the closure is the conclusion of Borman's 25-year management of country superstar Keith Urban. Urban is moving his representation to a new firm, with a formal announcement pending, according to his representative speaking to Variety. The artist released a statement expressing deep appreciation, calling their shared accomplishments "extraordinary." Such a lengthy manager-artist partnership dissolving is an uncommon event in the volatile music business, often requiring a meticulous and strategic transition for the artist's ongoing career. Industry analysts note that these transitions can influence everything from touring logistics to long-term brand partnerships.

Borman characterized his relationship with Urban as fraternal, stating, "Keith and I shared a journey not unlike brothers." Keith Urban, whose 2002 album "Golden Road" launched him to global fame with cross-over hits like "Somebody Like You," has frequently credited stable, insightful management as a foundation for his multifaceted success. This spans his recording career, his role as a judge on "American Idol," and his status as a top-grossing touring act. The end of this partnership closes a notable chapter in Nashville's business history.

The dissolution of Borman Entertainment represents a meaningful shift in the music management landscape, removing a firm renowned for its artist-first philosophy and commitment to building lasting legacies. This closure may signal a broader trend where legacy management houses wind down as their founders retire, leading to further consolidation within the industry. As veteran manager and industry commentator Sarah James noted to Billboard last year, "The personal touch and deep institutional knowledge of these older firms is incredibly hard to replicate, and their absence will be felt." Variety indicates it will continue to report on developments, including Urban's new management and other ripple effects from this significant retirement.