The company is now owned by Zomba Music Group, the world’s largest independent music company, and Van Hook serves as Chairman and CEO of Provident Music Group. Provident includes Benson Records, Verity Records, Reunion Records, Essential Label Group, Brentwood Records and Diadem Music, plus the largest publishing catalog of Christian songs in the world with Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.

Van Hook earned a masters degree in education at Peabody College in Nashville and also received an honorary doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University.

He began his career in 1963 as a music professor at Trevecca. He served in the music department for six years and was later promoted to assistant director of public relations. In 1971, he accepted an offer to become the minister of music for the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, Oklahoma. Van Hook coordinated an extensive music program with 19 ensembles and choirs and also directed a weekly studio-produced television show.

His first foray into the world of entrepreneurship was an Oklahoma city-based business, Myriad Music, and the music group Bridge, which he started in 1976.

He later returned to Nashville and was appointed senior vice president of The Benson Company, where he was responsible for the company’s creative product development and music publishing. When the company changed ownership two years later, Van Hook was ready to set out on his own again.

This time the result was the 1981 formation of Brentwood Music, specializing in unique inspirational music and church choral product. Those early days saw Van Hook developing a list of potential retail customers by checking phone books in hotels where he traveled. The small company also had the frugal practice of recycling. His diligence paid off, and within 10 years, the company was the recipient of the Nashville Business Journal’s prestigious Small Business of the Year Award in 1991.

Along the way, Brentwood, under Van Hook’s direction, innovated several key trends in Christian music. Brentwood was a pioneering force in the now heavily populated praise and worship genre. They also created the very first Christian rap album, Stephen Wiley’s Bible Break. In addition, Brentwood was the first Christian company to release a project on compact disc-Beside Still Waters. From its earliest days, the company is best known for its success in the area of concept recordings. The Smoky Mountain Hymns and America’s 25 Favorites series have sold in excess of six million units combined.

As the company flourished, Van Hook became more and more esteemed in the Nashville business and music community. He has served as president of the Exhibitors Association for the Christian Booksellers Association, chairman of the Crossroads Business Park Association, a member of the CEO Roundtable of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, president of the Church Music Publishers Association, Executive Board member of the Christian Booksellers Association as well as sitting on the advisory boards of Belmont University, Trevecca Nazarene University and the former Kraft Brothers Accounting Firm. He also served as a board member of the Gospel Music Association and is currently a board member of the Christian Music Trade Association.

In February 1994, Van Hook accepted an offer from Zomba to purchase Brentwood Music. At that time, he signed a long-term contract to keep him at the helm of the company. Zomba’s confidence in his vision and leadership was further reinforced by the purchase of Reunion Records in October of 1996 and The Benson Music Group in February 1997. The company was re-named Provident Music Group in June of that same year. Van Hook became Chairman and CEO of Zomba’s entire Christian music group of companies.

Van Hook resides in Brentwood, Tenn., with his wife Susie. They have two children, Brent, who is married and pastoring a church in Oklahoma and Susan, who along with husband Rod Riley, own and operate Spirit-Led and Fervent Records in Franklin, Tenn.