Ross Copperman has written with the likes of Brett Eldredge, Keith Urban, Billy Currington and LoCash, before all that he had a name for himself in the UK scene. We spoke with him about his experiences in Nashville at the CMA Songwriter’s Series and feature our interview on the podcast.
So you lived in the UK for two years, so is it weird to be back?
It’s so good to be back man, I haven’t been back for 10 years, I’ve wanted to come back for so long. It’s funny to come back now doing country music.
I was going to say, because when you were last here it was well before the explosion of country music in the UK, it was a very small niche thing before? It was before C2C…
It was, it wasn’t that big here. I remember Keith would play every now and then over here. I remember Keith was playing big shows, but I think that was about it.
Country’s really gotten big over here, it’s so interesting over the last 10 years. Would you have ever predicted that to happen?
No definitely not, especially going to Glastonbury and seeing the culture of music over here..
I guess it’s kind of like your journey, because you started off in Virginia. Then you started doing stuff that was not country before and now you’ve come back doing country.
Yeah it’s interesting, there’s guys like me who have started out in the UK doing British rock kind of music, my influence went to Nashville and I put my stamp on all the songs I’ve been a part of and there’s others like me. That could be part of the reason why it’s more acceptable over here.
Did you ever think you’d do country music when you were younger?
No I did not, because I grew up listening to British rock bands that really is where my heart is.
Do you still listen to it?
Oh yeah, I just discovered The 1975, I feel like I don’t know where I’ve been my whole life.
I would have thought that was top of your list!
I know! It should be the top of my list, it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard in my life. Isn’t that so funny? I’m now their biggest fan, best band ever.
That kind of stuff does that songwriter element, they’re incredibly talented songwriters. When for you did you start writing songs? I know your songwriting has evolved so much over the years…
I started writing in high school and then in college I took a songwriting class. I always wish I knew then what I knew then. I wish I could take the songs I’ve written now and put them back here.
When was your Nashville transition? You have such a good relationship with so many artists and really gravitate toward and write so well with them…
Yeah it was like ’08/’09. Keith Urban actually offered me my first publishing deal within the first year I was there, which is so funny because now he’s one of my best friends and we have a publishing company together now and sign writers – Boom.
The big song from last year that was one of your biggest cuts was ‘Female,’ what was the story behind that song because it has such a powerful message behind it?
It was during a really decisive time, I think it was probably right after the election in the US. I was in this moment of just wanting to make an impact and a difference and wanted to only write songs that give a voice to people and make a difference. So, Shane MacAnally was like, ‘well I’ve had this title in my phone for a while – Female.’ I thought ‘that’s amazing, how has that never been done?’ so we just… We wanted to glorify women. That song’s been taken a lot of different ways, there was a lot of women that were actually mad about it, saying it was mansplaining, which I get both sides, I totally get it.
I feel any song which has got a powerful message behind it, someone’s going to read into it something they don’t want to hear…
Steven Colbert said it was just inspirational throw pillows – the chorus – which is hilarious.
It must be something that you’re proud of, I think it’s one of those songs that will stand the test of time. It must be interesting thinking of which songs will endure…
I know, I think ‘Get Along’ will. It’s interesting to think about. I think we’re in a time now where less songs will stand the test of time.
And obviously you’re also very involved in the production side of things, do you tend to mix the songwriting and the production or do you tend to kind of keep them separate?
I do, because I like to write with the artist and establish where the album is going, and then we find a thing, then you can find songs around that that kind of fit. It’s a good way for me to get your creativity out.
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Complete the sentence…
Music is… my inspiration
Country music is… my life
Ross Copperman is… a good father and husband and friend.
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