Music News (3/19/25)

Chelsea Blythe Exits UMG Nashville

Chelsea Blythe. Photo: Cécile Boko

Executive Vice President of A&R at UMG Nashville, Chelsea Blythe, has exited her role, with her last day being Friday (March 14). The executive shared the news on social media.

Blythe joined the country label group in 2023 after building her career in hip-hop.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I was given an opportunity of a lifetime to come to Nashville and live out my wildest dreams! Country music is so special to me and I will forever be grateful as I have so many incredible memories here that I’ll never forget,” she wrote in her post.

“Thank you to Cindy Mabe for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity and to Renee Bell for being my partner in crime,” Blythe adds. “Words can’t express how amazing these past couple years have been, but it’s time to go back to California.”

SMACK Welcomes Mak Symmonds As New Director Of Marketing

Mak Symmonds

SMACK has hired Mak Symmonds as its new Director of Marketing. In this key role, she will lead marketing efforts across SMACK’s management, label and publishing divisions, driving strategic campaigns to amplify its roster including Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Kylie Morgan and Jenna Davis.

Symmonds joins SMACK following seven years in artist management and brand development at Piedmonte & Co., working with Chris Tomlin, Patrick Droney, Redferrin and Chris Renzema. She successfully led major releases, large-scale events, strategic partnerships, and targeted marketing campaigns, elevating artists’ profiles locally and globally.

In her new role, she will collaborate with streaming and digital partners to refine release strategies, stay ahead of industry trends and expand opportunities for SMACK’s artists and writers. Her expertise in crafting personalized strategies ensures long-term success in a rapidly evolving industry.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be adding Mak to the team here at SMACK! She felt like a great fit from the first time we met, and in her short time with us, she’s already proved to be a valuable addition. I can’t wait to see how she and SMACK grow together!” says Robert Carlton, President of SMACK.

“I’m so excited to be joining the SMACK team at such an amazing time in the company’s journey. The accomplishments of SMACK’s artists, writers, and team members are inspiring, and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to this legacy,” shares Symmonds. “I look forward to collaborating with the team, helping drive growth, and amplifying the incredible work SMACK is doing across the industry. It’s an honor to take this next step with such a talented and dedicated group of people.”

Melody Federer Signs With Melody Place

Pictured (L-R): Melody Place’s Sanborn McGraw, Melody Federer, Melody Place’s Tony Gottlieb and Leigh Shockey

Singer-songwriter Melody Federer has signed a publishing deal with Melody Place.

A Texas native, Federer is a nomadic soul who has honed her craft in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Seattle and now Nashville, where she continues to gain recognition in the alt, indie, country and pop worlds. She has worked with a vast range of talents from Pink, Michael Bublé, Kelly Rowland and Burt Bacharach to up-and-coming country acts Ashley Walls and Jacob Whitesides.

She has also been releasing her own solo material including songs like the smoldering alt-rock track,”This Town,” the Americana twinged ballad (featured on Elton John’s The Rocket Hour) “The Wonder Years,” confessional indie-pop track “Knocked Up,” and the honest and edgy break-up song and her latest release, “Find Jesus.” Federer will also play a big part in the artist development of the entire Melody Place artist roster and has recently been working and writing with Melody Place recording artist Katharine McPhee.

“The first day I met Melody, nearly four years ago, I knew I wanted to sign her,” says Melody Place President/General Manager Sanborn “Sandy” McGraw. “Her innovative lyrics and songwriting talent is so memorable. She continues to blow me away and I couldn’t be happier to have her join the family and write with our incredible roster.”