Songwriter, composer, author, performer, entertainer, contractor, husband, Dad, "Papa", friend or "Pastor Roger"...these are a few words which may describe who Roger Cooper is and what he has done. In reality however, he is still a simple "country boy" from Kansas (with a touch of class...of course!?):):); a man who enjoys his family, friends and faith to the fullest, thus defining who he really is!
Roger grew up on a farm in Western Kansas just "down the road a'piece" from where his great grandfather home steaded. Growing up consisted of living in a small two story house with a pot belly wood/coal stove for heat, a kerosene cook stove for cooking and heating water for those regular Saturday night baths (maybe an extra one or two?) since they had no indoor hot water. The windmill next to the house pumped water into an overhead storage tank which provided water for their home.
There was also a hand dug outhouse in the back and a "thunder mug" by the bed when it was too cold, too snowy, too nasty (or too tired?) to make the long trek to the outhouse for those cold winter night emergencies.
During those growing up years, he attended the small, one room Whitfield Country School north of Bogue, Ks. along with 15 other farm kids from the neighborhood. He worked on the farm milking their dairy cattle, raising beef cattle, hogs and chickens, butchering, rendering lard, using the hand crank cream separator in the wash house, cutting and stacking alfalfa and raising wheat as a source of income for the family.
Typical of those simple times back then, every Saturday the Coopers would load up the old Ford truck and head to town where they sold their produce consisting of eggs, milk, cream and small bales of hay at the local produce market, then go to the store to buy supplies. A hard way to make a living - but a wonderful way to make a life; a simple life filled with wonderful memories for a young boy!
During those growing up days, Roger's free time consisted of riding horses, spending hours and days at the river or in the woods hunting, fishing, camping and enjoying a simple way of life.
Upon graduating school from Norton Community High School, he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Ks where he majored in horticulture and wildlife management. He married his "after college sweetheart" Gwen in 1972 and the couple raised three wonderful children with the simplistic life values that they both shared; values that to this day their children share with their own kids. (Roger and Gwen also have seven wonderful grandchildren!)
As Roger continued to farm, a highly successful music and speaking career developed, which continues to this day! Releasing 18 albums and CD's (FYI...his first three projects were on 8-track!), touring the globe with a band and as a soloist, plus working with many well-known musicians and entertainers in all areas of the music industry, his music has ALWAYS been his passion...and he's been able to live out his "Middle School Dream" by making music and touching lives with his songs!
Roger has been married to his wife Gwen for over 38 years. She has been involved in the food service industry for decades and her love for cooking developed into a very rewarding career as she owned and operated her nationally acclaimed Gwen's Hometown Cafe for over 25 years. Gwen continues to use her culinary skills as a skilled chef and consultant for restaurants. PLUS, you really need to get a copy of Gwen's Home Cookin'!; A wonderful collection of many year's worth of simple, easy makin' and easy eatin' recipes...all in one book!
After nearly four decades of making music, Roger is still in high demand to tour and perform; averaging 75-100 dates per year; PLUS, both he and Gwen are also in constant demand to share their story of living a simple life through their "Simple Living" seminars.
