AirPlay Direct Founder Robert Weingartz Dies at 63

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 11:19am CT

Robert Weingartz

Robert Weingartz, the visionary founder and longtime Chairman of AirPlay Direct, passed away on June 22 in Nashville due to sudden respiratory complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was 63. Weingartz had battled the aggressive form of leukemia for two years, holding onto hope for a full recovery. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that bridged military service, the music business, and digital innovation.

Founded by Weingartz in 2005, AirPlay Direct quickly became a global leader in the digital delivery of broadcast-quality music to radio stations, offering independent artists a new path to radio airplay. His leadership helped shape the company into an industry staple used by record labels, artists, and broadcasters worldwide.

"Robert Weingartz was a force of nature in the independent music world," a company representative said. "He believed deeply in artists, and he changed the way music found its way to radio."

A U.S. Navy veteran, Weingartz began his post-military career managing a Sunset Strip rock band in the 1980s before turning to the Americana genre, where his work with artist Clay DuBose helped inspire the creation of AirPlay Direct.

In addition to building his company, Weingartz was also the Executive Director of AirPlay Specialists, a consulting firm dedicated to supporting independent musicians. He was recognized by Music Connection Magazine as one of its "Top 50 Innovators" in 2008 and earned a Grammy Award for his role in Songs From The Neighborhood - The Music Of Mister Rogers.

An artist himself, Weingartz co-wrote songs on multiple Americana albums and recently completed a trio of Christian compositions he hoped to record. "Songs were the lights that lined his path throughout his life," said his longtime collaborator and best friend Clay DuBose.

Weingartz is survived by his wife, Lynda; his children, Zachariah, Quinn, and Alexandra; granddaughters, Foster and Livesay Lee; his mother Connie; siblings Vickie and George; former spouse Anne; goddaughter Teresa; and many friends and colleagues in the music world.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.