SMACKSongs has inked singer/songwriter Caroline Watkins to a global publishing deal.

After landing her own round at Bluebird Café at the age of 16, the Nashville native signed her first publishing deal right out of high school with Warner Chappell. While at Belmont University, she was awarded the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Scholarship.

Watkins has previously opened for country artists like Brett Eldredge, Walker Hayes and Willie Nelson. In 2018, the Watkins-penned song "Smokin' and Crying'" was featured in the film Forever My Girl.

"Caroline’s songwriting talents and abilities make her a natural fit for our roster,” said SMACKSongs’ Chief Creative Officer, Robin Palmer. “Our entire team couldn’t be more excited to work with her. We feel like this is perfect timing for the next chapter in her career.”

“I could not be more excited to start working with SMACK. Shane [McAnally] has been an incredible mentor and friend to me over the years, so it’s a dream come true to get to work with his team,” added Watkins. “I’ve always been a fan of SMACK, but when I met Robin, Carly [Sater], and the rest of the team, they immediately made me feel so at home and like part of the family, and I could not imagine a better place to get to write songs every day.”

Seen below thinking they’d like to Smack some sense into us are (l-r) Lackey McDonald PLLC’s Brenner McDonald, Watkins, SMACKSongs’ Palmer and Sater.

Photo Credit: Molly Bouchon