Musical Influences Merle, Waylon, George

Similar Artists Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence

Artist History BIO Just what prompted Michael Cooper to become a country singer? Michael, simply Cooper to his friends, laughs as he recalls, "Now, remember I was a kid raised in Lawton, Oklahoma on the Oklahoma/Texas line, so there were only two kinds of music, Country music from the local AM radio station and Gospel music from St. Mary's Church. My turning point came at the age of sixteen. When I was offered a recording contract to sing Gospel music, I finally realized that I couldn't sing "The Fightin' Side of Me" along with "The Old Rugged Cross" in church on Sunday. But I could always sing "Amazing Grace" along with Mama tried" at the club on Saturday night. I love singing about Jesus, but I need a little Willie, Waylon, Merle and George in my life as well." A horse-trainer by trade, Cooper found work and moved to Central Florida in 1988 where he began singing in the local clubs. But horses quickly took a backseat to music as his popularity grew. Armed with a great voice, a few songs and a band, Cooper set out playing clubs across the region singing five nights a week. Eventually, his voice reached all the way to Nashville, where he garnered a reputation with writers and studios as a "real deal" voice and a tireless pro. It was there, at a live performance, that Cooper's amazing voice and electrifying stage presence caught the attention of Larry Pippin, Nashville songwriter and record producer, which soon led to a recording contract. Michael Cooper is a rarity these days in Country music, a performer who combines an "Oh my God!" country voice with an "Honest to God" quality in the songs he sings. Cooper is quick to name his influences - Willie, Waylon, Merle and George - names that stand for real country music. Songs that remain as true today as they did the day they were written. This is the Country music Michael Cooper knows and loves, the Country music he wants to call his own. On his debut CD, "Broken Promise Land," Cooper explores the themes and events that can shape a life. Produced by Larry Pippin and Jim Medlin and backed by an all-star group of musicians and writers (including award-winning songwriter Conrad Pierce), Cooper sings about simple life lessons that last in "Things Change.” He breaks your heart a little with the title track "Broken Promise Land" and pokes fun at a love gone wrong in "Goin’ Under Gettin’ Over You." "It sounds corny to say I love every minute of it, and I'd do it for free," Cooper says, "But it's true. This is my life, it's what I'm made from and what I'm made for - I can't imagine doing anything else."

Albums Broken Promise Land

Additional Info CD's available at the artist's website are of the highest quality, complete with artwork. Mp3's are fine but for all the artwork and better sound quality check out www.mcooper.org.

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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