Ty Cooper

It was that classic situation that led Ty Cooper from one activity he loved to another that would become his true calling.
The high school athlete suffered a shoulder injury that kept him on the sidelines, but needed to scratch that itch to stay active while recovering.
He traded shoulder pads for a guitar, and now the 22-year old singer/songwriter is a fixture on the area music scene.
Cooper will get his brightest spotlight yet, opening for fellow area singer/songwriter Griffin House during a sold-out concert at the Buckeye Sports Lodge, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26.
“I’m hoping he’ll enjoy my music,” said Cooper, a Pitchin resident who is eager to perform for a larger audience than usual.
It’s a full-circle for Cooper. He fell in love with House’s “Homecoming” CD in eighth grade, long before he had musical aspirations.
“As I got older I look at the songs differently,” Cooper said.
He classifies his music as Americana in the broad sense, along with soul and a bit of folk.
Soul makes sense since one of his earliest memories was listening to The Temptations with his parents.
Another influence has been fellow Southeastern High School graduate Wyatt McCubbin, who will play the Clark State Performing Arts Center in January.
They were friends to begin with, and knowing that McCubbin was already versed in music he became an inspiration to Cooper. The pair sometimes write and jam together.
Cooper’s manager is Matt Washburn, a Shawnee High School graduate.
When Cooper first went to Nashville to explore his career, he crashed at the house of Kate Hasting of the Kate Hasting Band and a Northwestern graduate.
“I’m excited for the live music scene in Springfield. People can be proud of it,” Cooper said.
House agrees.
“I think Springfield is a great place to be from,” he said. “I can see why it continues to produce and foster great art and artists.
“Growing up there I think gave me a realistic sense of the American way of life, and a toughness to work hard but also an imagination to dream big and a faith that wonderful things are possible. I hope the young people and emerging artist there continue to be inspired and proud to call Springfield home.”
Cooper has put college plans on hold for the time being to pursue music. Friday’s concert will be a good early start for 2016, with other goals including doing full EP album and landing a publishing deal.
He recorded a four-song demo in Nashville, available on his Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/tyler.cooper.14811, and available at the show for those attending.
“I view this (concert) as a landmark for me. I hope it can spring forward to better things.” - Brett Turner