Dana Cooper and Liz Barnez

About Dana Cooper

Dana Cooper’s musical journey began at the young age of 2 when his father would prop him on the bar to sing along with the jukebox. Born in Independence, Missouri, Cooper was surrounded by the sounds of classic country and folk music from an early age. He quickly became enamored with the guitar and taught himself to play and to harmonize vocally by listening to records. By his teenage years, Cooper was performing in coffee houses and clubs around Kansas City, honing his skills as a singer, songwriter and guitarist.

In the 1970s, Cooper landed a record deal with Elektra Records and released his acclaimed self-titled debut album in 1972. Backed by renowned LA studio musicians “The Section,” including Lee Sklar and Russ Kunkel, the album showcased Cooper’s lyrical depth and virtuoso guitar playing. Through the 70s and 80s, he built his reputation on the club circuit while also collaborating with artists like Lyle Lovett, Kim Carnes and Hal Ketchum.

Over his 50+ year career, Cooper has amassed a catalog of 30 albums and continues to tour actively at age 72. His latest release, “I Can Face the Truth,” encapsulates his evolution as a consummate storyteller. The album mixes his signature fingerpicking guitar and harmonica with poignant lyrics on love, loss and the current state of the world.

Central to Cooper’s unique artistry is his ability to connect with audiences through his authentic stories and warm stage presence. His decades of experience shine through in the ease and humor he brings to both his playing and storytelling. Though he’s performed with Folk and Americana greats, Cooper has always followed his own musical vision.

“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.” Lee Zimmerman, American Songwriter

After all these years, Dana Cooper remains driven by his pure love for songwriting and performing, bringing people together through songs. From coffee houses to major concert halls, his singular mix of virtuosity and vulnerability has earned him a lifetime of devoted fans. His accolades include: The Spirit of Folk Award, Folk Alliance International…Heritage Musician Award…Best Male Songwriter, Indie Acoustic Project…Best Record, The Tennessean, Nominated for Best Pop Album Nashville Music Award, and Veteran of the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Check out Dana’s 2022 album, I Can Face the Truth

About Liz Barnez

Liz Barnez was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up inspired by jazz, blues, folk, gospel, R&B, Dixieland, funk, and parade music. She embraced the diversity of her musical and creative upbringing and transformed those into her own eclectic style of music. She moved to Colorado in the late 1980’s and has been a mainstay in the music community since then. Voted by her peers as the “Best Female Singer-Songwriter” in the FoCoMA (Fort Collins Musicians Association) Peer Awards 2020 and inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Mother Folkers (the most carefully pronounced name in show business) in 2019. The Bohemian Foundation honored Liz in 2011 by including her in a mural at “Jazz Alley” in Fort Collins. The mural, by artist Terry McNerney, depicts eight musical artists chosen by Bohemian as the founders of the Fort Collins Music Scene.

Liz has released four albums she has toured the United States and with her band performed at prestigious events such as New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival, Bohemian Nights at New West Fest, Winter Park Folks Fest, Lyons Folks Festival and more; as a solo act.

https://www.lizbarnezmusic.com/