Location: Lancaster, California, U.S.A.
Member since: June 15, 2010
Tracks in portfolio on MusicRevolution.com: 42 (click here to hear all tracks) http://www.musicrevolution.com/search?artist=266
Background—
Chris Cooke has been a professional musician and songwriter for over 20 years. Chris has had numerous song placements with artists and independent films. Chris is a diverse songwriter and, as a result, his music tends to have a lot of variety. Chris tends to lean towards Rock, Country, Blues and Electronica as his main musical styles.
–High profile projects or clients you have worked for?
I have been fortunate enough to work and record with, Delaney Bramlett, Gary Allan, Albert Lee, Billy Swan, Randy Meisner, Jerry Scheff, Curtis Salgado, Jeffrey Osborne, B.J. Thomas, Finis Tasby, Riders Of The Purple Sage, Greg London, The Seeds, John York, Al Bruno and Rich Harper. I also recorded drums on the song, “Light Of A New Day” that was featured in the movie, “Man Of The Year” starring Robin Williams.
–Primary instrument?
Drums and Vocals
–Favorite music-making piece of gear or software you currently use?
Pro Tools Mix Plus Recording System
–Piece of gear or software you wish you owned?
Neumann U-87 Microphone
–Film score or song you admire? Why?
This is a tough question . . .
For me, nothing can touch John Williams and the music he has done for film. The music to STAR WARS is so memorable and epic as is the music to all the films he has scored. To me his genius is that he writes such memorable melodies that become part of the zeitgeist and that is so hard to accomplish. As far as favorite songs there are too many to mention but, “Take It To The Limit” by The Eagles, “Cool Change” by The Little River Band, “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” by Willie Nelson, “Tom Sawyer” by Rush, “What You Give” by Tesla, “Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC, “Rosanna” by Toto, “Brothers In Arms” by Dire Straits, “Let The Good Times Roll” by The Cars, “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams, “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Gentle On My Mind” by Glen Campbell, “Misery And Gin” by Merle Haggard, “Tennessee Whiskey” by George Jones, “Run To The Hills” by IRON MAIDEN, “Living After Midnight” by Judas Priest, and “Knocking On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan come straight to mind. I could go on and on with songs so I will stop here but I just love a great, simple song that says so much with so few words and has a melody and production that sticks in my soul and moves me. That’s the beauty of music!
–Music education background?
Graduated with honors from the Percussion Institute of Technology (P.I.T) at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. Years of private musical instruction and everything else I have taught myself.
–Memorable “Aha!” moment during your musical education?
There are two . . .
The space and silence in a song is every bit as important as the notes that are played. Sometimes more important!
Always leave space for creativity and magic during the recording process. When you hire great players, let them feel free to express themselves before you ask for what you want. To quote Quincy Jones, “Always leave room in the recording studio for God to walk through the room.”
–Most embarrassing music-related moment?
My drum throne leg snapped during a very high profile gig and I went flying off the back of a very high drum riser in the middle of a song, landing with a huge crash into chairs and cases of beer in the backstage area. Audience loved it though! LOL!
–If you had a time machine and could record or perform once with any artist, who would it be?
I would want to record with James Jamerson on any Motown session back in the day.
I would want to perform with KISS on the “ALIVE 2” Tour.
–Moment you first knew you would be a musician?
I grew up in New Mexico and lived out in the country with horses so we always went to the Rodeo. They always had entertainment that would perform on a round stage that rotated in the middle of the arena and when I saw Glen Campbell come out in a rhinestone jacket and play the first notes to, “Rhinestone Cowboy” . . . the spotlight hit him and the jacket sent stars all over the arena, I thought, “I have to do THAT!” Soon after, I bought KISS, “Destroyer” and it was all over, I HAD TO BE A MUSICIAN!
–Advice you would give to a younger family member interested in a music career?
Practice, practice, practice! There is no substitute for practice! Now with access to You Tube, ANY artist or song or teacher is on there to teach and inspire so there are so many resources available to kids today that I am envious! Beware negativity in all its insidious forms like drugs and alcohol abuse and other people who will drag you down with their insecurities. Most importantly, BELIEVE IN YOU! BELIEVE IN YOUR TALENT, YOUR VOICE, YOUR VISION, YOUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE! At the end of the day, NOBODY CAN CREATE LIKE YOU CAN, YOU ARE UNIQUE AND SHOULD TRUST THAT YOU ARE DOING WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO AND IT IS A TRULY SPECIAL GIFT THAT YOU CAN SHARE!
–Five songs or albums you’d take with you to a desert island?
Rush – Moving Pictures
The Eagles – Greatest Hits
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
AC/DC – Back In Black
Little River Band – Greatest Hits
–If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
Guitar
–Favorite time of day to work in your studio?
6PM until 3AM
–Any studio collaboration you experienced that stands out in your mind?
Recording and singing with Delaney Bramlett on my song, “Set Me Free”. To watch, learn and create music with one of my hero’s and a genuine musical legend was indescribably cool and something I am so very grateful for!
–2 or 3 of your favorite tracks that you would want us to feature in the blog.
“Set Me Free” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=17454
“Get Back Up Again” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=19750
“Shakin’ ” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=17456
“Let Your Love Fly Free” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=8667
“Time” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=17462
We thank Chris for sharing some of his musical background with us and for contributing his tracks to MusicRevolution.com, the Royalty-Free Music Marketplace. The next time you need Rock, Country, Blues or Electronica music, with vocals or in instrumental versions, check out Chris Cooke’s music on MusicRevolution.com.
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Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 28,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music for retail, restaurants and businesses, and for other commercial applications. Cardell has been involved with digital content and E-Commerce since the mid-1990’s.
