Dana Cooper is on his way to Wimberley for a November 20 performance at Susanna’s Kitchen. The Missouri-born singersongwriter has been playing his brand of Folk, Country and Americana for more than half a century, amassing a catalog of more than 30 albums and numerous performances from his active tour schedule. In May, 2024, he released his highly anticipated studio album, “The Ghost of Tucumcari,” featuring an all-star lineup of guest artists: Lyle Lovett, Hayes Carll, Susan Gibson, Mando Saenz, Darden Smith, Shake Russell, Libby Koch and others. It was voted the #1 Album of 2024 by the Americana Highways Readers poll.
Cooper released his first album in the ‘70s on Elektra Records with the famous studio band, “The Section,” now known as “The Immediate Family” with Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar. Since then, he has collaborated with many performers, including Shake Russell, Kim Carnes, Maura O’Connell, Susan Werner, Kim Richey, Don Henry, Tom Kimmel and Hal Ketchum, to name just a few.
Songwriter Lee Zimmerman applauds Cooper’s dedication, “Few artists can claim to make music for 50 years and still do so with the same eagerness and enthusiasm that marked their initial efforts.” Central to Cooper’s unique artistry is his ability to connect with audiences through his stories and warm stage presence. His mixture of flat-picking, finger picking and percussive strumming is legendary among other guitarists and his harmonica playing is equally impressive. One critic noted, “he sings like an angel and plays like the devil.”
Fellow musician Hayes Carll said, “Dana has a poet’s eye for beauty and detail, a blues man’s soul and a songbird’s gift. He is remarkable.” Others note that his decades of experience shine through in the ease and humor he brings to playing and storytelling.
Dana Cooper’s performance is part of Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse Concert Series at the Wimberley United Methodist Church located at the corner of RR12 and CR1492. Tickets are $25 at the door; cash and checks accepted. Doors open at 7 and the concert begins at 7:30 pm. Tamales, pizza, pie, coffee and soft drinks are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Barnabas Connection, Bright Beginnings Preschool scholarships and other nonprofits. For more information go to wimberleyumc. org.
