This week on Stories Behind the Songs, I sit down with the president and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, Rusty Gaston.

This week we took a trip over to Sony Music Publishing’s Listening Room. Like The Listening Room Cafe, this room is where brand new songs are born. The Sony A&R team gathers in this room every morning to listen to all the songs written the day before. This means Rusty and his team listen to around 25 songs in a row every single day - it was an awesome experience sitting down here…

In previous episodes, you may have heard Rusty’s name mentioned a time or two… Rusty is a true icon in the music industry and has been championing and encouraging artists since day one. With 23 years of experience working in publishing under his belt, Rusty confidently provides insight into what a music publisher is. According to Rusty, it is a publisher’s job to encourage, support, and provide opportunities for songwriters. Like a manager supports artists, a publisher supports songwriters.

In this episode, you will hear how Rusty worked his way up to becoming the president of Sony Music Publishing here in Nashville - a title he has held for the past 4 years. Rusty has transformed the culture at Sony into something really incredible… He talks about the way Sony is designed - to give writers a chance to build beneficial relationships and get inspiration for the songs that will inevitably become hits. You’ve heard from several songwriters on this podcast about the stories behind their songs, but this week you’ll have the chance to hear the stories behind all of it. Rusty covers the stories behind iconic songs we all know and love, how every great song that is written will have its moment, and the power a song has to change the world…

You will get to hear about exclusive stories from the writers’ rooms, interactions between country stars and icons, how the hits are formed, and everything in between. You can really feel how much Rusty cares for these artists and songwriters just by being in the same room with him. If you are an emerging songwriter, artist, or just someone who loves music, then this episode is for you. You could say that without Rusty, the radio would not have nearly as many number-ones as it does…

What Rusty is doing over at Sony Music Publishing is working! The recipient of the 2023 Country Power Players Executive of the Year has had several artists picking up awards of their own such as Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Ashley Gorley, and many more!

Let us know what you thought of this episode and subscribe on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you find your podcasts. This is Rusty Gaston! 

Liner Notes/Links:

Check out a full list of Sony Music Publishers and Songwriters here - https://www.sonymusicpub.com/en/songwriters

Sony Music Publishing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonymusicpubnashville/

Sony Music Publishing Spotify: @SonyATVOfficial

Sony Music Publishing Website: https://www.sonymusicpub.com/en

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