MBW reported last July that the world’s biggest music publishing company was about to get a new boss in Nashville.
Today (January 29), that news is official: Sony ATV has hired music industry veteran Rusty Gaston as CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, effective immediately.
Sony/ATV has also acquired THiS Music, the Nashville-based publishing company Gaston co-founded with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Tim Nichols and award-winning songwriter Connie Harrington.
In this role, Gaston will lead all creative and operations for the company’s Nashville division, including the signing of new songwriters and development of strategies to exploit its catalog.
He will report to Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
THiS Music’s roster includes Ben Hayslip, two-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year winner and member of The Peach Pickers–the most awarded songwriting trio in the history of country music, as well as Grammy award winning artist Emily Weisband, who has written major pop hits for BTS, Halsey and Camila Cabello, among others.
He serves as a Board Member of the Academy of Country Music and a Board Member for Nashville’s Studio Bank.
“Rusty is one of music’s most influential executives today, and his success in developing game-changing opportunities for songwriters makes him the perfect leader to step into this important role at Sony/ATV.”
Jon Platt, Sony/ATV
Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV, said: “Rusty is one of music’s most influential executives today, and his success in developing game-changing opportunities for songwriters makes him the perfect leader to step into this important role at Sony/ATV.
“I’m excited to work alongside Rusty and our Nashville team on nurturing the next generation of music’s hitmakers.”
“It is a tremendous honor to join Jon and the Sony/ATV family.”
Rusty Gaston
Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, added: “It is a tremendous honor to join Jon and the Sony/ATV family.
“The Sony/ATV Nashville catalog is the undisputed greatest collection of country music on the planet.
“As a music lover, I am in awe of the legacy of the songs and the songwriters…past, present and future…and I look forward to working with this amazing team and roster.”
