Started off with early rock and roll (Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Buddy Holly) largely due to my older sister Ursula and cousin Pat. School-friend turned me on to jazz: spent hours at his house smoking, wearing a black polo-neck, drinking black coffee and listening to Miles Davis, Bird, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, MJQ, Brubeck, Joe Pass - not bad for a 14-year old! Then the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and the whole 60s UK blues and folk scenes led me to Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham, John Renbourn, Ralph McTell, Wizz Jones, Carthy & Swarbrick.
From these artists' influences came my first real exposure to the old country blues and I've been hooked ever since. I've learned something valuable from almost every other musician I've ever heard, seen or worked with; sometimes I have learned how NOT to do things. Most recently I've learned and absorbed huge amounts from local blues musicians such as Steve Phillips, Brendan Croker (both perhaps best known for membership of The Notting Hillbillies with Mark Knopfler, but great artists in their own right), Roger Sutcliffe and Dave Speight, and from other acoustic musicians such as The Hall Brothers, Duncan McFarlane and Gerry McNeice.
Favourite old time blues artists are Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Willie McTell, Lemon Jefferson, Willie Johnson, Charlie Patton, Muddy Waters, Fred McDowell, Big Bill Broonzy, Son House, John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, Bessie Smith and Lonnie Johnson.
And I also admire BB King, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Rory Block, Julie Ellison, Stefan Grossman, Michael Messer, Peter Green, Catfish Keith, Hans Theessink, Maggie Boyle, John Hammond, Richard Thompson, JoAnn Kelly (may she rest in peace), Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Nickel Creek, antbear, Chris Hladowski, Martin Simpson, Woody Mann, Gary Boyle... there are so many great artists around to listen to. Go seek out their gigs, listen to their music and buy their CDs!
Many of these artists have websites or myspace sites; some of them are my 'friends'; visit them and enjoy their music.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, a very long time ago.... Started playing the guitar in 1964 and haven't stopped since. Played in all kinds of bands over the years: rock'n'roll, Irish rock, country, pit orchestras for musicals, church groups... Left teaching in 2002 and now make a nuisance of myself playing old country blues and ragtime tunes in folk clubs, pubs, church halls, festivals and anywhere else I can sneak in without people noticing. I've issued two CDs so far: Big Road Blues (2004); My Train Is Waiting (2006)
I usually work solo but have many musical friends I occasionally collaborate with.
I don't have enough guitars (if you know how many you have, you don't have enough...) but I like the ones I have, which include a Martin 000-28, Ozark 3515 customised resophonic and a Freshman 12-string. They are the ones I usually play in public. I also play harmonica, mandolin, bouzouki, 5-string banjo (badly) and can plunk on piano a little.
WHAT THEY SAY...
"Gerry's got a real feel for the music in all its many forms, and a great gift for making it interesting for the listener as well as the performer!" NetRhythms co.uk review of My Train Is Waiting
"Bradford-based Gerry Cooper plays acoustic blues, and he does it very well indeed. If you haven't seen him, grab this opportunity with both hands: you won't regret it!" (Otley Folk Festival programme, 2006)
"Gerry is a blues player and singer of some standing [trying] to keep the proper old country blues alive and in peoples' minds until the next 'blues boom' comes along..." (Masham Music Festival programme, 2006)
"[The CD] Big Road Blues is highly recommended for anyone who loves the blues well played and well sung with impeccable taste and savvy." (Review of Big Road Blues in Folk Roundabout, issue 137)
"In my opinion, Gerry is one of the undersung heroes of the West Yorkshire scene." (David Kidman, netrhythms.com)
TOP GIGS OF THE RECENT PAST
18 JUNE 2003 Returned to to the acoustic/folk scene after an absence of eight years with a floor-spot at Otley Folk Club, thanks to The Hall Brother
24 MAY 2004 First full solo gig at the famous Grove Inn, Holbeck Leeds, home of the Stormy Monday Blues Club.
5 NOVEMBER 2004 Korks Wine Bar, Otley: support for Steve Phillips & Brendan Croker.
25 FEBRUARY 2005 Support at Otley Jazz Lounge for Maggie, Scott and Gary, aka Boyle-Devine-Boyle.
17 JUNE 2005 Town Hall, Masham: opened first main concert of first Black Sheep Music Festival.
2 JULY 2005 Acoustic Sessions Guitar Workshop, Victoria Hall, Saltaire. At the evening concert I had one of my heroes playing second guitar on one of my songs: Woody Mann.
4 JUNE 2006 Sunday Evening Session, freshradio, Skipton. First solo radio appearance.
16 JUNE 2006 Second Black Sheep Music Festival at Masham: support for Harvey Andrews.
17 JUNE 2006 Shared a blues guitar workshop with Steve Phillips.
17 JUNE 2006 Main evening concert, Masham Town Hall: myself, Steve Phillips, The Hamsters.
23rd FEBRUARY 2007 First appearance at The Courthouse in Otley, on the same bill as The Hall Brothers & John Carey and the splendid Steve Tilston.
Worthstock Music Festival 2008 is almost here! Friday 1st August, Saturday 2nd August and Sunday 3rd August will see over 90 bands perform on 3 varied stages. With stalls, entertainment, licensed bar, cider tent and overnight camping; it's going to be a weekend by the river to remember!
Tickets are still available priced at £30 for the whole weekend (including camping)! Weekend tickets can be purchased from the Musicians Centre's in Keighley, Bradford and Hebden Bridge and HERE ONLINE. (Ticket prices will be more on the door, day tickets can only be purchased online)
Feel free to download our poster and spread it around the interweb. Particularly adventurous people can print it out and leave it somewhere for others to see. Like sharing a bag of awesome sweets!
To my brother from another mother and my sister from another mister...your prayers fell upon my ears so sweet, I clicked my heels, danced a short gig and raised my eyes to the heavens in thanks of our friendship. With Love !
