CTM Outlander acquires catalog of songwriter and producer Ross Copperman

Photo credit: Sarah Elizabeth
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)

CTM Outlander has struck a deal with Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Ross Copperman.

The deal includes the acquisition of Copperman’s catalog (via Copperman’s Iris in the Sky with Diamonds) alongside a publishing deal for his future works.

The Nashville-based songwriter is responsible for 38 No.1 songs and 50 No.1 records with artists such as Keith Urban, Tyler Hubbard, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani, Gabby Barrett, Kenny Chesney & P!nk, Dierks Bentley, Brett Young, Darius Rucker and more.

As part of the arrangement, 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 Blake Shelton ft Gwen Stefani, Get Along by Kenny Chesney and Living by Dierks Bentley.

The move marks CTM Outlander’s latest deal in Nashville after previously acquiring catalogs of, and signing the likes of, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby, Michael Tyler, Ben Burgess and SMACKSongs.

The company says that there is “more to come”.

CTM Outlander is a partnership between Dallas, Texas-based Outlander Capital led by Les Ware and Mike McKool and the Netherlands-based independent music entertainment company CTM, led by industry veteran André de Raaff.

CTM says that it will engage in creating new opportunities for Copperman, in a creative partnership with SMACKSongs.

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside remarkable individuals like CTM and SMACK in my new team.”

Ross Copperman 

Ross Copperman said: “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.”

“From the first moment we met Ross we felt his energy, passion and drive for music.”

André de Raaff, CTM Outlander

André de Raaff, CEO of CTM Outlander, added: “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.”

“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.”

Mike McKool, CTM Outlander

Mike McKool, Director at CTM Outlander, added: “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.”

“SMACK is proud to further our partnership with CTM through this deal.”

Robert Carlton, SMACKSongs

Robert Carlton, President of SMACKSongs, said: “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.”


Elsewhere, CTM Outlander recently acquired what it calls a “unique catalog” of songs from Grammy Award-winning UK-based songwriter and producer, Fraser T Smith.Music Business Worldwide

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