CTM Outlander Acquires Ross Copperman’s Catalog

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Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Groves (Sr. Creative Director, SMACK), André de Raaff (CEO, CTM Outlander), Thomas Deelder (Creative Director, CTM Outlander), Ross Copperman, Lee Krabel (Sr. VP, SMACK Publishing), Robert Carlton (President, SMACKSongs), Jason Turner Esq. (Counsel, Ross Copperman). Photo: Sarah Elizabeth

Burgeoning publishing powerhouse CTM Outlander has inked a new deal with Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Ross Copperman. The deal includes the acquisition of the four-time BMI Songwriter of the Year’s catalog—Iris in the Sky with Diamonds—alongside a publishing deal for his future works in partnership with SMACKSongs.

Copperman shares, “I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside remarkable individuals like CTM and SMACK in my new team. CTM’s visionary leadership has already brought us exciting opportunities beyond country, expanding our horizons. I’ve always held immense respect for SMACK, and I eagerly anticipate the promising collaborations and accomplishments that lie ahead.”

As one of Nashville’s most in-demand collaborators, Copperman has notched 38 No. 1 songs as a songwriter and 50 as a producer, working with artists such as Keith Urban, Tyler Hubbard, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Gabby Barrett, Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Dierks Bentley, Brett Young, Darius Rucker and more.

“From the first moment we met Ross we felt his energy, passion and drive for music. His goal is set to break new artists and help creative new opportunities with the ones he’s already been working with. We are here to support him in any type of way and see Ross as somebody that is helping to develop the country music genre into a global genre,” says CTM Outlander CEO André de Raaff.

Robert Carlton, President of SMACKSongs, says, “SMACK is proud to further our partnership with CTM through this deal. Ross has been one of the premier writers and producers in Nashville over the last decade. We’ve been fortunate to share quite a bit of success with him through co-writes, but feel truly honored that he chose to entrust SMACK with this next chapter of his career.”

As part of the deal, CTM Outlander also acquires Copperman’s writer share for songs previously published by Plain Jane, including the No. 1 hits “Love Ain’t” by Eli Young Band, “Happy Anywhere” by Shelton and Stefani, “Get Along” by Chesney and “Living” by Bentley.

“When we created CTM Outlander, we had no specific agenda as far as genre was concerned. It was only after meeting and developing relationships with the songwriting community in Nashville, that we decided to place an emphasis on country music. As we continue to invest and grow our portfolio, Ross is another example of the kind of artist we want to be in business with. We couldn’t be more excited to work with him moving forward, while also furthering our relationship with SMACKSongs,” shares CTM Outlander Director, Mike McKool.

CTM Outlander’s deal with Copperman adds to an impressive track list of partnerships, after having previously acquired and signed the likes of Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby, Michael Tyler, Ben Burgess and SMACKSongs. CTM Outlander is a partnership between the Dallas, Texas-based Outlander Capital led by McKool and Les Ware, and the Dutch-based leading independent music entertainment company CTM, led by de Raaff.

LB Cantrell
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