Before performing at the Roddy Tree Ranch in Kerrville, TX, Dana Cooper sat down to talk with No Depression writer Rodney Ames.

Nashville recording artist, Dana Cooper has had an amazing career spanning over four decades. His wide vocal range, along with his incredibly intelligent and poetic lyrics, and just the whole process of composing has helped him to create a very strong cult following around the globe. A faction of that following was in attendance at The Lazy Days Canteen in Hunt, Texas as they proudly presented Mr. Cooper in a performance at their acoustically sound venue this past Saturday. The show went way beyond my expectations, and I was expecting a lot.

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Out of the heartland of America, stomping grounds of Truman and Twain, “powerhouse” troubadour Dana Cooper dedicated himself to a life of music over 40 years ago. This song poet engages and inspires audiences around the world with his quick wit, insightful stories and commanding presence. He has performed on Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage and the Kerrville Folk Festival where he was nominated for their Hall of Fame. Cooper’s songs have been recorded by top-notch artists such as bluegrass star Claire Lynch; Irish vocalist Maura O’Connell; and luminary songwriters Pierce Pettis and Susan Werner. Cooper’s mixture of flat-picking, finger-picking and percussive strumming style is legend among other guitarists. An expressive singer his voice is ageless evoking a rich lifetime of experience.

“I’ve always considered myself an outsider as far as the music industry goes,” he says. “I focused on a grassroots career by making albums I liked and that I took to people by playing live. Now that’s what everyone says is the new music model, that you build a sustaining career by playing live and sticking to your own vision. If that’s the case, then I figure I’m ahead of the game, because I’ve been doing it that way for more than 30 years.”

“This veteran song poet is a self-contained road warrior–a man of many tunes and tunings, and a right hand few guitarists will ever know. His music is vital, and live you see him channel all his energy into the song. The songs are smart, but they come from his heart.” —Frank Goodman, puremusic.com