Wealthspire’s Ground Control hits new high note with music management acquisition

Wealthspire’s Ground Control hits new high note with music management acquisition
Wealth management firm’s business advisory arm adds business reputed for financial intricacies of the music business.
FEB 18, 2026

Wealthspire’s Ground Control Business Management has taken a significant step in its growth strategy by finalizing the purchase of Nashville’s Wiles + Taylor & Co., a boutique business management and tax advisory firm focused on the music industry.

The deal marks Ground Control’s first acquisition outside California and brings deep touring, royalties and music revenue expertise into its platform, widening its service capabilities for artists, songwriters and industry executives.

Last month Ground Control acquired Ceres Financial Management, a firm providing business and wealth management to entertainers, entrepreneurs, and other high net worth individuals in the LA area. The latest addition to the firm further bolsters its capabilities to support these groups.

“Supporting top-tier artists and their teams has been central to Ground Control’s mission for years, and this partnership accelerates what we can deliver,” said Chris Bucci, chief executive officer of Ground Control. “Wiles + Taylor adds a high-caliber team on tour operations, royalty administration, and the real-world complexity behind modern music income. Together we can offer a more seamless model with precision at scale and with the discretion and high-touch service our clients expect.”

Founded in 1986 by Gary Smith, Wiles + Taylor has built a reputation for helping clients navigate the financial intricacies of touring, global income tracking, royalties and risk management tied to domestic and international engagements. Its Nashville team, including partners Steve Eggart and Kevin Dalton, will now bolster Ground Control’s ability to serve artists’ personal finances alongside operational and global priorities.

“Joining Ground Control helps us scale and continue growing without compromising our culture,” said Dwight Wiles, president of Wiles + Taylor. “As touring and global revenue streams grow more complex, artists need advisors who understand both the details and the broader strategy. This partnership gives us additional infrastructure to keep serving our clients’ evolving needs while preserving continuity for our talented team.”

Rob Taylor, vice president of Wiles + Taylor, emphasized the cultural fit and shared long-term vision, saying the firms can now “elevate and empower our next generation of leaders and ensure long-term stability as we grow.”

The acquired business will continue operating out of Nashville, tapping into one of America’s most vibrant music hubs. The transaction brings roughly 65 new employees into Ground Control’s fold and reinforces music as a dedicated sector within its broader advisory offering.

Ground Control remains part of Wealthspire’s integrated advisory network, retaining its name while benefiting from the larger platform’s scale and resources.

Latest News

Modera, Simplicity announce new acquisitions in busy day for industry M&A
Modera, Simplicity announce new acquisitions in busy day for industry M&A

Two RIAs expand their geographic footprints with deals in New York's Capital Region and coastal Alabama.

Advisor moves: Ameriprise, Prospera, Raymond James land teams with $920M in assets
Advisor moves: Ameriprise, Prospera, Raymond James land teams with $920M in assets

A 27-year Merrill veteran, Florida advisors, and a trio of New Jersey advisors just moved to new platforms.

LPL Research launches 17 model portfolios, hitting $100B in AUM
LPL Research launches 17 model portfolios, hitting $100B in AUM

Broker-dealer expands its model portfolio platform with modular building block strategies designed to give advisors greater customization at scale.

Wealth Enhancement adds $592M Chicago-area RIA
Wealth Enhancement adds $592M Chicago-area RIA

The mega-RIA with roughly $160 billion in client assets remains firmly in acquisition mode amid rumors of private equity giants vying to scoop it up.

Annuity sales hit a record as war and Fed jitters redraw fixed income
Annuity sales hit a record as war and Fed jitters redraw fixed income

Record annuity demand for principal protection collides with the most hawkish Fed dissent since 2016.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income