SMACKSongs has upped Lee Krabel to svp of publishing, effective immediately.
Having joined the company as creative director in 2016, Krabel has played a pivotal role in shaping its creative direction.
At SMACK, Krabel runs point on songwriters including Josh Jenkins, Ross Copperman, Scott Stepakoff, Tigirlily Gold, McCoy Moore and Clara Park.
In his new role, he will continue to oversee SMACK’s entire roster, manage the creative staff, book sessions, pitch songs and sign new writers.
“Lee has been a huge part of the success of SMACK for the past seven years and helped grow the team to what it is today,” said SMACK President, Robert Carlton. “With Lee here, I know our writers will always be in good hands.”
“The writers and staff at SMACK continue to build one of the best independent publishers in the world. I'm very thankful that Shane [McAnally], Robin [Palmer] and Robert continue to believe in me to be a part of this great team,” added Krabel.
Photo Credit: Lance Wilson
MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis has kicked off his arena headlining DAMN GOOD TIME TOUR.
Following his sold-out show at Atlanta’s The Roxy on 8/31, the multi-platinum, CMA Award-winner hit Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on 9/1, where he was surprised by UMG Nashville Chair/CEO Cindy Mabe with a plaque to commemorate 5b+ career streams.
The 19-city tour continues this Friday, with sold-out stops in Kansas City, MO (9/16), Philadelphia (10/ 5), New York (10/6), Boston (10/7) and Las Vegas (10/21). Tour openers include Avery Anna, Gabby Barrett, Danielle Bradberry, Flatland Calvary, Greylan James, Dylan Marlowe, Kameron Marlowe, Mike Ryan, Connor Smith and Georgia Webster.
Davis will also be direct support for Luke Combs’ 2024 stadium tour.
Earlier this year, Davis dropped his gold-certified sophomore album, Bluebird Days, and has earned six career #1s, including the 2x platinum “Singles You Up,” platinum hits “Take It From Me” and “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot,” as well as multi-week #1 singles “Buy Dirt” (2x platinum), “What My World Spins Around” (gold) and “Next Thing You Know” (platinum).
For tour dates and more info, click here.
Photo credit: Caleb Cockrell
UMG Nashville (UMGN) has upped Vipin Reddy to VP of Streaming. Reddy, who has been part of the label group’s streaming team since 2018, now leads the department. In his new role, he'll oversee all DSP relationships as well as audio and video streaming strategy for all UMGN artists globally.
Prior to joining UMGN, Reddy was part of the UMG global streaming marketing team, leading to strong relationships with UMGN streaming partners. More recently, he was point on UMGN artist strategy with Apple Music and Pandora.
“From the day he joined the company, Vipin has been an integral part of the streaming team,” UMGN EVP/COO Mike Harris said. “His deep knowledge of the streaming business has been vital to UMG Nashville’s success."
UMGN consists of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville. The combined rosters include Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, among many others. Vipin is Reddy.
UMG Nashville has upped Stephanie Alexa to svp of finance & operations and Gary Keffer to vp of strategic marketing.
With 18+ years of music biz experience, Alexa spent the past five with UMGN as vp of finance & operations. In her new role, she continues to analyze operations and processes, as well as oversee forecasting and royalty reporting. Prior to UMGN, she served as vp of finance & licensing administration at ATO Records.
“During her time with UMG Nashville, Stephanie has transformed the finance department to become an even more instrumental part of the company,” said UMGN EVP & COO, Mike Harris. “We are very happy to give Stephanie this well-deserved promotion.”
Keffer, who leads the branding team in finding opportunities and connections between UMGN artists, brands, partners and audiences, brings 20+ years of marketing experience to the role. Before joining UMGN, Keffer served as director, media & partnerships at Remington Arms Company.
“Gary has been an integral part of the brands team for the last seven years and I’m thrilled to continue to watch him lead and grow this team in his new role,” added UMGN EVP of Marketing, Lori Christian. “His expertise and attention to detail have ensured that our partners and artists are always supported for success.”
Monument Records has promoted Casey Thomas to director of marketing, publicity and creative and Joel Beaver to associate director of marketing. In Thomas’ expanded role, she’ll continue to oversee publicity and creative services while taking a more active role in marketing strategy, while Beaver will be responsible for marketing, brand partnerships, international and sync relations for the labels’ roster.
“Casey’s strategic view has broadened extensively over the years she has been with us which led to this natural expansion of her role,” Monument’s GM Katie McCartney said. “Her passion for our artists and work ethic are unmatched and her energy is contagious.
“It’s been a joy to watch Joel’s growth since our launch. From student to project lead, his attention to detail and precision have been vital for our success. Both Casey and Joel see the whole picture which is critical to Monument’s mission”
Thomas, a Boston native, joined Monument from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as a PR manager in 2018. Beaver, meanwhile, landed at the label in 2017 as its first intern shortly after its re-launch. During his nearly seven years at Monument, Beaver has been in the center of marketing campaigns across the artist roster, which includes Walker Hayes and Tigirlily Gold. When reached for comment, both agreed they look forward to sending our emails to "trash."
SMP Nashville and KP Entertainment have inked rising songwriter Davis Corley to a global publishing deal.
The east Tennessee native has become a coveted co-writer and multi-instrumentalist since moving to Nashville eight years ago. His credits include two Texas chart-toppers with Jake Ward’s “Far to Reach” and Jake Bush’s “Tractor Town,” as well as cuts by Will Jones, Dan Smalley, Trey Lewis, Ella Langley, Josh Gallagher, Spencer Crandall and more.
“Davis is a true songwriter. His unique approach creates an element in his writing that genuine and timeless. I’m absolutely honored to get to work side by side with Davis and excited for the magic that is yet come,” said Aubrey Daniels, creative at KP Publishing.
“The chance to work with Kerri Edwards and Aubrey Daniels, in addition to Rusty [Gaston] and the amazing team at Sony, feels like joining a dream team, and I couldn’t feel more blessed to have the opportunity,” added Corley.
Seen above blissfully unaware that this photo landed in our inbox are (l-) Ritholz Levy Fields, LLP’s Chip Petree, KP’s Daniels, Corley, KP’s Edwards, SMP Nashville CEO Gaston.
SMP Nashville has upped Kenley Flynn to vp, creative A&R.
Flynn will be responsible for signing and developing talent while driving creative opportunities for the roster.
“Kenley is a songwriter’s best friend,” said EVP, Creative, SMP Nashville, Josh Van Valkenburg. “This promotion is so well deserved, and we are excited for him to take on this new role.”
“I’m so proud of the story we are writing here and I’m grateful to Rusty and Josh for letting me play a role in that story,” added Flynn.
Since joining SMP in 2020, Flynn has helped propel the careers of Nate Smith (#1 hit “Whiskey on You”), Trannie Anderson (Lainey Wilson) and James McNair (Luke Combs), up-and-comers like Madeline Merlo and David Morris, and legendary songwriters like ACM-winner Tim Nichols (Cole Swindell) and Ben Hayslip (Combs, HARDY).
Flynn began his music business career at Combustion Music, where he spent ten years and worked with the likes of Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Matt Jenkins and Jameson Rodgers.
Photo Credit: Jason Myers
BMLG has tapped Jess Montero as senior HR manager.
Bringing years of HR experience, Montero joins the team from Lynn HR Consulting where she served as vp of HR operations.
In her new role, Montero will report to Andrew Kautz and will work closely with the label group's leadership team and HYBE HR.
“Jess brings a great wealth of knowledge and strategy to Big Machine Label Group,” said BMLG CEO/Chairman Scott Borchetta. “We are only as good as our people and her focus to help build a stronger team and seek out the best talent is critical to our growth.”
“My love for music brought me to Nashville, so having a seat at the Big Machine Label Group table is really a full circle moment for me,” shared Miami native and Trevecca Nazarene University alum Montero.
Montero says everything we do is inappropriate so she’s definitely legit.
