Here's the picture: You're driving down the road listening to the radio when all of a sudden a song comes on and you are instantaneously transported back to a specific and special place in time. As the song continues to play, it brings back a flood of memories; you recall names, faces, places, smells and (oh yes...how can you forget?) those amazing feelings which have long past but are now suddenly as clear as the bright sunshine! Do you remember the memories that connected you to that song?
The song makes the memories come alive!!
AND... as you're driving, humming that familiar tune and getting lost in the thoughts of those sweet days, a smile begins to form and you realize that you are having one of those "Ah Ha" moments...and you're thankful that the song took you back in time to that wonderful place!!
That is precisely what happens to an audience who listens to Roger Cooper during his "American Pie Rock and Roll Roadshow"!
While singing those classic tunes from the 60's and 70's during the course of the show, Roger seems to hit the "Rewind" button in our lives; songs are sung, memories are re-lived and people remember "the good ole days" when living was simpler and easier!
Folks remember "cruising main", Wolfman Jack, transistor radios, A&W Root Beer Drive-ins, pop-top beer cans, KOMA...Oklahoma, City and for a couple hours...life rewinds and people remember the feeling of "A Groovy Kind of Love"! :):):)
In a manner similar to James Taylor or Dan Fogelberg (one man, one guitar, one microphone and a barstool), Roger has this amazing ability to transport the audience into another place and time as he plays those classic songs.
Not only does he play his guitar and sing the songs...but the tunes, the memories and the stories which flow from his fingers and his lips are an integral part of his life...and in actuality...aren't they a part of everyone's life?
Roger's musical journey began in the early 60's but his appetite for music was "whet" one pivotal evening when as a young boy of 12 years old, he was lying on the floor of their old farm house, watching "The Ed Sullivan Show". On that memorable evening as he watched the British rock group from Liverpool, England known as The Beatles being introduced to a crowd of screaming young fans, he became forever interested in Rock and Roll!
As he watched them perform "She Loves You" (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah) and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" his thought was..."That's going to be me someday!" (How many of you remember THAT show??) SMILE!!
Well, that was nearly 50 years ago and his dream of being a rock and roll musician DID come true! After all those years of hoping, planning and playing, Roger Cooper's desire turned into a reality and for the past 40+ years he has been performing around the world; making music, touching lives and taking people on a wonderful musical journey (one could almost say it's almost like his own personal "Magical Mystery Tour!).
What started out as a fun opportunity to be a drummer in local rock and roll garage bands in the 60's; playing VFW clubs, American Legion halls, "sock hops", proms, parties, bars, roadhouses and the infamous "slab dances" at county fairs...became not only a wonderful career but also a passion!
As the years passed he found himself working alongside and touring with his musical icons; heros such as legendary rock artists Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Phil Bailey (Earth, Wind and Fire), Dion DiMucci (The Wanderer, Run Around Sue, Abraham, Martin and John), BJ Thomas (Rain Drops Keep Fallin' on My Head), Barry McGuire (Eve of Destruction), Roger McGuinn (The Bryds), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, ZZ Top, Kansas and many more.
Remember those classic hits from the 60's and 70's such as American Pie, Happy Together, Mr. Bojangles, Cat's in The Cradle, Get Together, I'm A Believer, Some Kinda Wonderful, Proud Mary, Happy Together, I Saw Her Standing There, Good Lovin', House of the Risin' Sun, Turn, Turn, Turn, Sweet Home Alabama, Old time Rock and Roll and all the other "good music"? :):)
Well, that's a small taste of what you'll hear at Roger's "American Pie Rock & Roll Roadshow".
Being described as "just an old hippie" (Thanks to the Bellamy Brothers), he performs those classic hits from the 60's and 70's in his "American Pie Rock & Roll Roadshow". As a bonus during the course of an evening, he also throws in some music from a large range of musical styles such as Blues, Bluegrass, Country and Gospel....favorites of many but definitely music that has been an influence in his life and his musical journey!
HOWEVER...after the show is over, after the concert lights are turned off, the doors are locked and folks are heading back home from the evening, one thing is certain; EVERYBODY will be singing one or more of the songs that they heard throughout the night. And you know what??? That same smile will cross their face as each one remembers that special time and place; each will be eating a slice of that "American Pie";
...where the music used to make them smile!"
Hey...you want to know a secret??? Shhhh!? Don't tell anyone! Did you know that "The American Pie Rock & Roll Roadshow" is not just another concert? That's right....It's actually a "Time Machine" which (if we may borrow a movie title),
....takes us on a musical journey "BACK TO THE FUTURE";
....takes us on a musical journey in our memories....;
....it's an evening that takes us to a place called......"Home".
