Sony/ATV is about to get a new boss in Nashville.
MBW understands that the world’s biggest music publishing company has hired Rusty Gaston, widely considered a rising star of Music City, to head its local HQ in Tennessee.
As such, Gaston will succeed Troy Tomlinson who left Sony/ATV to join Universal Music Publishing Group last month.
Gaston (pictured) is the Partner and General Manager of Nashville-based indie THiS Music, which he co-owns with songwriters Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington.
THiS Music’s writer roster includes the likes of Ben Hayslip (2011 & 2012 ASCAP Songwriter Of The Year), Jessi Alexander (The Climb), JT Harding (Different For Girls), Jimmy Yeary (I Drive Your Truck), Marv Green (Shotgun Rider), Deric Ruttan (What Was I Thinking) and Chris Stevens (3 time BMI Christian Songwriter Of The Year).
When he officially lands at Sony/ATV, Gaston is expected to report to Jon Platt, the global CEO and Chairman of the company.
Following Tomlinson’s departure to UMPG, some may have expected Platt to seek out another seasoned Nashville veteran – which he would surely have landed without too much trouble.
The hiring of Gaston, however, suggests that the head of Sony/ATV may like the idea of his Nashville HQ moving in a more youthful direction.
On August 1, Sony/ATV will officially become part of Sony Music Group, under a new corporate umbrella structure at Sony Corp which officially sits the publishing company alongside New York-based record company Sony Music.
Operationally, however, Sony/ATV and Sony Music will each continue to be run autonomously.Music Business Worldwide
