THE GOODMAN ERA BEGINS AT SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE

Randy Goodman, Ken Robold, Steve Hodges (Goodman and Robold photos byAlan Poizner; Hodges photo by Barb Jones)

Sony Music Nashville made it official today, confirming the hiring of Randy Goodman as the company’s new Chairman/CEO, effective immediately.

Goodman will oversee all Sony Music Nashville operations, including Arista Nashville, Columbia Nashville and RCA Nashville, as well as Provident Music Group. He’s based in Nashville and reports to directly to Sony Music ruler Doug Morris—who offered his thoughts on this significant move.

“Randy Goodman is a highly respected member of the Nashville community with a proven track record of success in developing hit artists,” said Morris. “We are very happy to have him leading our business in Nashville and welcome him to the Sony Music family.”

Said Goodman, “Having started my career at RCA Records Nashville, now a cornerstone of Sony Music, this is a homecoming for me, and I couldn't be happier or more honored to be entrusted to lead this great group. And getting to work with an icon of the business, Doug Morris and his team, makes this opportunity all the more exciting. I'm thankful to Doug for his belief in me and to Julie Swidler for her dedication and commitment to me and Nashville during this transition.”

A 30-year industry veteran and a Nashville native, Goodman spent 16 years at RCA. During that time he served as EVP/GM of the RCA Label Group in Nashville, the forerunner of what is now Sony Music Nashville. Over the course of his career at RCA he also previously spent five years SVP Marketing worldwide for RCA in New York prior to returning to Nashville. In 1997, Goodman opened Lyric Street Records for the Walt Disney Co., overseeing the label as President through 2010 and enjoying great success with Rascal Flatts and SHeDAISY, among other hit acts. A CMA board member and past President and Chairman of the board, Goodman has co-chaired the Music City Music Council with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean since 2011 and is a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In addition, he’s served as an artist manager with Maverick in Nashville.

Goodman has wasted no time defining his vision for the label group with the addition of two key executive team members, each reporting directly to the new boss: EVP/COO Ken Robold and EVP Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges. Both will start their new jobs next week.

In welcoming Robold and Hodges, Goodman stated, “Ken and Steve are consummate professionals whose industry acumen, passion, and accomplishments speak for themselves. I am extremely proud to add their vision and experience to our already extraordinary team here at Sony Music Nashville.”

Robold most recently served as President of Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists, where he oversaw the operation’s record label, publishing and studio divisions. The role followed nearly 22 years with PolyGram Records/UMG, where he rose to the post of EVP/GM of UMG Nashville. Robold is a past Chairman of the ACM Board of Directors.

“It’s an honor to be joining a company with the rich musical legacy Sony enjoys,” Robold said. “I’d like to thank Doug Morris, Julie Swidler and Randy Goodman for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of artists and staff, as we take Sony Music Nashville to new heights.”

Hodges comes to Sony with a background that includes a dozen years in radio and programming and more than 20 years in promotion with Capitol Nashville, dating back to the third album of Garth Brooks and the career launches of such artists as Trace Adkins and Deana Carter. Beginning as a regional promo rep, Hodges advanced to SVP Promotion in 2009, with Capitol earning Label of the Year honors throughout his six-year tenure, which also saw the 2010 launch of Capitol imprint EMI Nashville. Hodges worked from day one on the careers of such artists as Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban.

“It’s an extremely exciting time for Sony Music Nashville” Hodges enthused. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me, and I can’t say enough about the vision and leadership that Randy embodies. I’m honored at his vote of confidence. I’m also thrilled to be a teammate with Ken in this endeavor. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic and ready to get to work with the incredible roster of artists and staff.”