Randy Goodman. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Randy Goodman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, will retire at the end of 2024 after more than 35 years in the music industry. He has helmed the label since 2015, during which time he has also overseen Sony Music’s Christian music enterprise, Provident Entertainment.
“Thank you to Randy for leading our Nashville company through the last nine years and providing some of the biggest new superstars in the genre of country music,” says Sony Music Group Chairman, Rob Stringer. “These artists are part of his legacy, and he should be proud of that. We look forward to building on the strong base he and his team have set up for the future.”
“Thank you to Rob for his leadership and support throughout my entire time at the Company,” Goodman shares. “The Sony Music Nashville and Provident Entertainment teams are some of the finest executives I’ve had the privilege of working with over my many years in this business.”
He adds, “There are too many people to thank specifically who helped and supported me along the way: my family foremost for their support and grace in letting me stay with it all these years. Looking back over my career’s arc, I am humbled and honored to have had the privilege to work with the artist legends I have; and as importantly, the teams I’ve been privileged to work with and lead. As excited as I am for what’s next no doubt it is bittersweet. It’s all been a gift.”
At Sony, Goodman has overseen the careers of stars Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Megan Moroney and Nate Smith, as well as key breaking artists including Mitchell Tenpenny, Kameron Marlowe, Corey Kent and Morgan Wade among others.
A Nashville native, Goodman’s extensive career includes 16 years at the beginning of it with RCA Records where he spent five years as Senior Vice President, Global Marketing for RCA in New York prior to returning to Nashville. He also served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the RCA Label Group in Nashville which would later become known as Sony Music Nashville. While at RCA, he worked with such superstars 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., overseeing the label as President through 2010. He worked with artists who enjoyed multi-Platinum success including Rascal Flatts, as well as Platinum-sellers Aaron Tippin and American Idol finalist Josh Gracin.
A past President and Chairman of the CMA Board and current member, Goodman co-chaired the Music City Music Council with former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and is a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In addition, he is on the board of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Tennessee Business Leadership Council, and was named the 2019 Presidential Award recipient for outstanding executive achievement by Music Biz.
LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.