Randy Goodmanwho has been president and CEO of Sony Music Nashville since 2015, will retire at the end of 2024.
“Thank you to Randy for leading our company in Nashville for the past nine years and delivering some of the biggest new superstars in the country music genre,” Sony Music Group President Rob Stringer he said in a statement announcing the news. “These artists are part of his legacy and he should be proud of that. We look forward to building on the strong foundation he and his team have created for the future.”
“I thank Rob for his leadership and support throughout my time with the company,” said Goodman, who also oversaw Sony Music's Christian music business, Provident Entertainment, during that time. “The teams at Sony Music Nashville and Provident Entertainment are some of the best executives I've had the privilege of working with in my many years in this business.
“There are too many people to thank in particular who have helped and supported me along the way: my family first and foremost for their support and grace in letting me stay with them all these years,” he continued. “Looking back over my career path, I am humbled and honored to have had the privilege of working with the artist legends that I have. and just as importantly, the teams I have been privileged to work with and lead. As excited as I am for the next one it is without a doubt bittersweet. Everything was a gift.”
At Sony Music, Goodman and his team have shepherded the careers of stars Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Megan Moroney and Nate Smith, as well as major artists such as Mitchell Tenpenny, Kameron Marlowe, Corey Kent and Morgan Wade among others .
Goodman, a perennial Bulletin boardThe Country Power Players roster has spent more than 35 years as a mainstay in the Nashville music community.
Goodman's extensive career includes 16 years at RCA Records, where he spent five years as senior vice president, worldwide marketing for RCA in New York before returning to Nashville. He also served as executive vice president and general manager of RCA Label Group in Nashville, which would later become known as Sony Music Nashville. While at RCA, he worked with artists such as Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews Band, Wu-Tang Clan, Dolly Parton, Clint Black, Keith Whitley and The Judds.
In 1997, Goodman opened Lyric Street Records for the Walt Disney Co., where he remained until 2010, working with Rascal Flatts, Aaron Tippin and American Idol finalist Josh Gracin.
Goodman is a past president and chairman of the CMA board of directors and a current member. He also co-chaired the Music City Music Council with the former mayor of Nashville Carl Dean and is a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2019, he was named a recipient of the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement by Music Biz.
There is no information yet on a succession plan.
