“I’m very excited about it,” said Robert Ott, Ole CEO.
Under the exclusive, worldwide 360 deal signed by the Connors’ family, the company has exclusive rights to manage, publishing and master distribution rights of Connors’ music as well as rebrand and promote that music.
Ole is a Canadian independent music publishing and rights management company based in Toronto with operations in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles and London.
The signing of the deal comes during the 50th anniversary of Stompin’ Tom’s music and Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The company is making plans to have a new collection of Connors’ music available for Canada Day. The collection may feature some tracks that have never been heard before, said Ott.
The company plans to take back its born-and-bred Canadian roots by promoting the patriotic message to new audiences without losing current fans, he said.
“I think his music is popular among older folks. There are a lot of young people that probably experience his music when they go to a hockey game … Ole looks forward to broadening the audience and ensuring the music is enjoyed and understood by a broader audience and a younger audience and new generations to come.”
Ott said there would not be any change to Connors’ brand.
“He created a brand that speaks for itself. He stood for very specific things and kept his attitude and character towards Canadianism on his own, so our job is not to try to change that, but rather to relate that message to new audiences.”
Stompin’ Tom was an orphan and raised in Skinners Pond. He is known for original and patriotic songs such as “Bud the Spud,” “Ketchup Song” and “The Hockey Song,” which is played at hockey games throughout Canada. He also returned two Juno awards in 1978 because he disagreed with the system of rewarding artists who made their living in the United States.
Ott said his company has plans to be a part of the grand opening of the Stompin' Tom Cultural Centre and Schoolhouse in his hometown of Skinners Pond on Canada Day.
