Music News (9/13/23)

SMACKSongs Promotes Lee Krabel To Sr. VP Of Publishing

Lee Krabel. Photo: Lance Wilson

SMACKSongs has promoted Lee Krabel to Senior Vice President of Publishing, effective immediately.

Since joining the company in 2016 as Creative Director, Krabel has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s creative direction and fostering an environment where songwriters can thrive over the years.

At SMACK, Krabel runs point on an array of talented 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 of songwriters, manage the creative staff, book writing sessions, pitch songs, and identify and sign new and promising writers.

“This is well deserved! Lee has been a huge part of the success of SMACK for the past 7 years and helped grow the team to what it is today,” says SMACK President, Robert Carlton. “I’m excited to see what this next chapter has in store. With Lee here, I know our writers will always be in good hands.”

Krabel shares, “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. It feels like we are just getting started and I can’t wait to see where SMACK grows from here.”

Reservoir Acquires Rights To Kerry Kurt Phillips’ Catalog [Exclusive]

Kerry Kurt Phillips

Reservoir Media, Inc. has acquired the publishing rights to the catalog of country singer-songwriter and producer Kerry Kurt Phillips.

As a songwriter, Phillips has earned six No. 1 singles and contributed to 75 Gold and Platinum albums, accounting for over 45 million record sales.

His catalog includes Joe Diffie‘s “Pickup Man,” which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, and Tim McGraw‘s chart-climber “Down on the Farm.” Phillips has also contributed to other Diffie hits such as “Is It Cold In Here” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox,” which reached No. 5 and No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs chart, respectively. Other McGraw cuts include “Do You Want Fries With That” and “Maybe We Should Just Sleep On It,” featured on his multi-Platinum albums Live Like You Were Dying and All I Want. Additionally, Phillips has worked on Grammy-winning music including “When You’re In Love” from George Strait‘s Troubadour album as well as with artists such as George Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tracy Byrd and Craig Morgan, among others.

“These songs are some of my most faithful and favorite ‘ole dawgs, and it was important to find the right home for them. Reservoir worked hard to make this deal happen, and I know they will work just as hard to take care of them and help them continue to be loved all over again,” says Phillips.

“Kerry Kurt has been one of Nashville’s top writers since the ’90s, and I have personally been a fan of his for a long time. We are proud to be integrating Kerry Kurt’s hit catalog into our country catalog and look forward to continuing showcasing his legacy,” adds John Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative.

Shaina Botwin Earns VP Stripes As Boom Music Group Celebrates 2 Years [Exclusive]

Shaina Botwin. Photo: Noah Needleman

In the two years since the company was relaunched by industry veteran Joe Fisher, Boom Music Group has rebuilt an impressive presence on Music Row.

With a roster that includes Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Jimmy Robbins, Matt McGinn, Erin Kinsey, James Barker, Micah Carpenter, Jacob Hackworth and Billy Dawson, Boom has celebrated multiple chart-toppers and hit singles.

When relaunching the company in 2021, Fisher tapped rising music publisher Shaina Botwin to help lead the charge. Two years in, Botwin has now been promoted to Vice President of the company.

“I knew Shaina was a great song person who had great relationships with songwriters as well as the music community, but her ability to identify talent, develop songwriters and put them in the best position for success is what makes her exceptional,” shares Fisher, Founder of Boom Music Group.

Botwin came to Boom from Creative Nation, where she rose from Creative Coordinator to Creative Manager, and worked hands on with some of Nashville’s most prolific songwriters. Prior to Creative Nation, Botwin spent time at BBR Music Group.

In just two years, the Boom team has secured cuts with Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Dan + Shay, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney, Maren Morris, Jake Owen, Tyler Hubbard, Dierks Bentley, Dustin Lynch, Cole Swindell, Brett Young and more. In 2023 alone, the company has had over 120 cuts, more than 85 releases and 12 radio singles across country, rock, pop and R&B.

Boom songwriters have celebrated the success of Zimmerman’s “Rock And A Hard Place,” Moroney’s “I’m Not Pretty,” Young’s “Dance With You” and Dan + Shay’s “Save Me The Trouble.” In addition to several No. 1 hits in Canada, Boom notched a 2-week rock No. 1 with Staind‘s “Lowest In Me.”