Randy Goodman has announced that he will retire as Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Nashville at year’s end.

Goodman, whose biz career spans 35 years, was appointed to the top spot at SMN in 2015. During his impressive tenure he and his team have seen huge success with such acts as Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Megan Moroney and Nate Smith; recent breaking artists have included Mitchell Tenpenny, Kameron Marlowe, Corey Kent and Morgan Wade, to name a few.

He has also had oversight of Sony Music’s Christian music operation, 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,” reads a statement issued by Sony Music boss 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,” reads Goodman’s quote. “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.

“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.”

Goodman’s time at SMN has also seen him spearhead important enfranchisement and philanthropic efforts with the SME Nashville Equity Task Force and via partnerships with orgs like the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, Creative Girls Rock, Musically Fed, Music Makes Us, Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Notes for Notes, PENCIL, Room in the Inn, Second Harvest and Soles 4 Souls in support of the greater Nashville Community.

The Music City native served for 16 years at RCA, including five as SVP, Global Marketing, in NYC before heading back to Nashville, where he was EVP/GM of the RCA Label Group, which ultimately became SMN. During his Nipper years Goodman worked with Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews Band, Wu-Tang Clan, Dolly Parton, Clint Black, Keith Whitley and The Judds, among others.

Photo: Matthew Berinato