Rusty Gaston lives out the values of Belmont University by proving himself to be a determined, ambitious, and hardworking individual who seizes every opportunity. Growing up in Texas, he didn’t know anyone in the music industry. However, he didn’t let that stop him.

Gaston first moved to Nashville in 1996 to attend Belmont University. In his early college days, he began cold-calling companies and asking questions to get his first internship at a music publishing company. He began his career at SmithHaven Music, where he secured artist deals. Eventually, top producer Byron Gallimore tapped him to run his publishing company, Song Garden.

Now, as CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, he is associated with more than 50 No. 1 and award-winning hits. He leads all creative operations at the company, including signing new songwriters and developing strategies to promote the Nashville catalog.

Gaston is a longtime volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters Middle TN, a member of the Country Music Association, and a board member for both Belmont University and the Academy of Country Music. He was recently named Billboard Magazine’s Country Power Players 2023 Executive of the Year.