Music News (11/01/23)

CTM Outlander Acquires Ross Copperman’s Catalog

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.

Matt Jenkins Extends Global Deal With Warner Chappell Music & Madfun Entertainment

Matt Jenkins

Matt Jenkins has extended his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Madfun Entertainment. WCM is also acquiring Jenkins’ music catalog as part of the deal.

A native Texan, Jenkins has penned multiple hits, including the Platinum track “Happy Anywhere” (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani), and the triple-Platinum single “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan), which took home Song of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards and Nashville Songwriter Awards.

In 2017, Jenkins received a CMA Triple Play Award for penning three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period: “Confession” (Florida Georgia Line), “Setting The World on Fire” (Kenny Chesney ft. P!nk) and “Song For Another Time” (Old Dominion). His other chart-topping hits include “Do I Make You Wanna” (Billy Currington), “Where It’s At” (Dustin Lynch) and “Cop Car” (Keith Urban). His songs have also appeared on ABC’s Nashville, and he’s collaborated with artists including Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, Brett Young and Eli Young Band, among others.

“Matt has proven to be a songwriter who knows how to fish in the deep waters,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “He’s a respected songwriter across so many meaningful songs in country music. We’re excited to continue with him on his journey.”

“Working with Matt Jenkins is both fun and inspiring. He is such a great human and a lyrical poet. He knows how to craft the cool and commercial song, almost better than anyone I know,” adds Alicia Pruitt, Founder, Madfun Entertainment.

Reservoir Inks New Deal With Multi-Platinum Writer-Producer Brent Maher [Exclusive]

Brent Maher. Photo: Rod McGaha

Reservoir has signed a new publishing deal for the future works of seven-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-Platinum writer-producer Brent Maher. This deal builds on the company’s 2018 acquisition of rights to Maher’s full catalog.

Maher is best known for his work with The Judds, whom he discovered in 1983 and would go on to produce all 10 of their albums. He co-wrote and produced the duo’s “Why Not Me,” which topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and earned the ACM’s Song of the Year award. Maher has also worked on many of The Judds’ other hits such as “Girls Night Out,” “Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain,” “I Know Where I’m Going,” “Let Me Tell You About Love” and “Born To Be Blue,” among others.

Maher was recently a part of The Judds’ 40th anniversary tribute album, collaborating on all tracks but one for the project. The album features stars from country music and beyond, including Wynonna Judd, Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton, Gwen Stefani, Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire and more.

Beyond his work with The Judds, Maher has also co-written several hits by Johnny Reid, including the CCMA Single of the Year “A Woman Like You” and Juno-nominated Single of the Year “Let’s Go Higher.” He is also an award-winning engineer, with notable credits including Ike & Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and The 5th Dimension’s “Age of Aquarius,” plus titles by Willie Nelson, Duke Ellington, Chuck Berry, Sammy Davis Jr. Gladys Knight, Sly and the Family Stone and more.

“Brent has worked on so many iconic country records and continues to produce, write, and engineer some of the genre’s best music. His work on A Tribute To The Judds and the star-studded features on the album showcase just how meaningful his influence is to artists in country music and beyond,” shares John Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative. “We are honored to be working with him and look forward to supporting the legacy of his music, old and new.”

Maher adds, “I’m very happy to be in business with John and the entire staff at Reservoir on my new endeavors and back catalog.”