Paul Sizelove On Balancing Legacy & Innovation At Sun Label Group [Interview]

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Paul Sizelove.

Gaither Music Group has been a cornerstone of gospel and inspirational music for decades. Founded by Bill and Gloria Gaither—who together wrote more than 700 songs and were named ASCAP Songwriters of the Century—the company became known for its Homecoming series and the Gaither Vocal Band. Its catalog spans hundreds of video and audio projects, with collaborations ranging from gospel pioneers to country mainstays, and its concerts and television specials have reached audiences around the world. The Gaither Vocal Band alone has earned multiple Grammy Awards and Dove Awards and was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

Paul Sizelove’s first steps onto the Gaither Music campus came with humble beginnings. As a teenager, he mowed lawns. Later, he packed boxes in the warehouse, shipping CDs and DVDs as the Homecoming series took off. “I joke there hasn’t been a job in our company that I haven’t done,” Sizelove tells MusicRow.

More than three decades later, Sizelove is president of Sun Label Group, overseeing an umbrella of heritage labels including Sun Records, Gaither Music, Green Hill, Rural Rhythm and Emerald Wave. His rise reflects his philosophy of leadership: gratitude, teamwork and a long view of growth.

That emphasis on culture is essential when managing labels with more than 160 combined years of history. Each catalog, whether the gospel roots of Gaither or the rock ‘n’ roll foundation of Sun, carries its own identity. “At the end of the day, the common theme is that these are legacy labels,” Sizelove says. “They’re classic catalogs.”

Founded in 1952 by Sam Phillips, Sun Records launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and others who defined rock ‘n’ roll. After relocating to Nashville in 1969, the label continued with artists like Jeannie C. Riley, The Dixie Cups and Linda Martell. By the time Sizelove’s team acquired it, Sun was largely a licensing house. He pushed to make it “an album-facing label” again.

Paul Sizelove, President of Sun Label Group, speaks at launch party in 2024. Photo: Donny Evans

Central to Sizelove’s approach is building community around each label and its artists. “We build communities with [each label],” he explains. “We have followers of Sun Records, Gaither Records, Green Hill, Rural Rhythm, that want to hear the music—both the catalog and the new releases from each one. It’s a backwards, non-traditional way of moving music now.” This philosophy extends across YouTube, television and live events, creating spaces where both legacy artists and new performers can reach audiences they might not otherwise encounter. It’s a model that emphasizes shared experience and long-term engagement rather than chasing fleeting chart success.

That philosophy shows up in recent projects. Sun Label Group was “honored to produce” Jimmy Buffett’s final project, and The SteelDrivers recently signed with Sun Records. The group initially recorded a Christian project with Gaither Records, then returned to their roots in bluegrass and Americana with a project released on Sun. These releases, alongside catalog and contemporary projects, exemplify Sizelove’s strategy of honoring legacy while expanding artist reach and audience engagement.

Instead of chasing Top 40 radio or formula-driven formats, Sizelove extends this community-driven ideology into every aspect of the labels, including media presence. Gaither’s YouTube channel, for instance, functions more like an inspirational variety show than a single-artist page, featuring performances from Bill Gaither alongside names like Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, The Isaacs and more. “We put out almost a new piece of content every day,” Sizelove says. “It’s continual content, and people keep coming back because of the variety.”

That same philosophy drives Sizelove’s television partnerships with networks like PBS, TBN and others, where Gaither specials and concert productions introduce artists to millions of households.

For Sizelove, who grew up living with the company culture he now aims to build, the lessons came early. He credits a formative experience with his first boss, who thanked him every day after work. “I’ve never forgotten that,” Sizelove recalls. That appreciation is something he passes along to the members of his own teams now.

He also points to mentors who invested in him along the way. “I am here today because people have invested in me,” he says. “I’ve been fortunate that people in this town like Steve Moore, Bill Carter and Barry Jennings, have taken me under their wing when they didn’t have to. I’m a product of good mentoring.”

For Sizelove, growth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building a culture where legacy and innovation coexist, and where gratitude still matters. “I’ve seen the company when it was amazing and when it struggled,” he says. “Growth isn’t easy, but we all just have to make sure we are going in the same direction.”

Lauryn Sink
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