2008 Woodie Awards
Wichita Falls teen makes it big in country
19-year-old Johnny Cooper performs Saturday at City Limits
Tyler McCollum
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Entertainment
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It has been a wild ride for young Johnny Cooper over the past four years, and with "Let It All Go" at No. 7 on the Texas Music Charts, it does not look to be slowing down any time soon.
Cooper, 19, played his first gig four years ago after a friend heard him sing a few of his songs.
"I only knew a few songs at the time, so I had to learn an hour's worth of music in less than two weeks," said Cooper. After the gig, his father and friends combined to form his band. At the age of 16, Cooper recorded his first compact disc, "Live at the Pub," at the Iron Horse Pub in Wichita Falls.
Then, in 2006 he released his second CD, "Ignition," which has had multiple songs appear on the Texas Music Charts. Growing up in Wichita Falls, Cooper says his musical inspiration came from his father who plays piano and has traveled around the world as a musician.
In his younger days, Cooper says he aspired to be a drummer as he grew up listening to music like The Eagles, Steve Miller Band, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Seger. Cooper is with the Smith Music Group. With over 200 live shows under his belt and a handful of new songs, he's looking at heading back to the studio in February.
When asked about the past four years, Cooper said, "It has been crazy, and I have to thank the fans who have called and requested our songs on the radio and helped us get this far."
The closest Cooper has played to Stephenville was at the Larry Joe Taylor Musical Festival and he says he looks forward to playing in town this time. Johnny will be at City Limits this Saturday and will kick off the show at 10:30 p.m.
Cooper, 19, played his first gig four years ago after a friend heard him sing a few of his songs.
"I only knew a few songs at the time, so I had to learn an hour's worth of music in less than two weeks," said Cooper. After the gig, his father and friends combined to form his band. At the age of 16, Cooper recorded his first compact disc, "Live at the Pub," at the Iron Horse Pub in Wichita Falls.
Then, in 2006 he released his second CD, "Ignition," which has had multiple songs appear on the Texas Music Charts. Growing up in Wichita Falls, Cooper says his musical inspiration came from his father who plays piano and has traveled around the world as a musician.
In his younger days, Cooper says he aspired to be a drummer as he grew up listening to music like The Eagles, Steve Miller Band, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Seger. Cooper is with the Smith Music Group. With over 200 live shows under his belt and a handful of new songs, he's looking at heading back to the studio in February.
When asked about the past four years, Cooper said, "It has been crazy, and I have to thank the fans who have called and requested our songs on the radio and helped us get this far."
The closest Cooper has played to Stephenville was at the Larry Joe Taylor Musical Festival and he says he looks forward to playing in town this time. Johnny will be at City Limits this Saturday and will kick off the show at 10:30 p.m.
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