Mister Cooper's Blog & Website

I was thrilled when I read the email telling me I had received a Fall 2011 Parents’ Choice Approved Award for my CD “Mister Cooper is for the birds.” I clicked on the link and here are the kind words I found:

“Acoustic musician and music educator Ken Cooper has an inviting, down-home way with a song, finding inspiration in the interconnectedness of living things, confidence-building (“Yes I Can”) and the joy of reading (“Dr. Seuss Is On the Loose”). Among the highlights: Cooper’s humorous spin on the definition of living spaces (“a peach is a house for a peach pit/a sandwich is a house for ham” in “A House is a House for Me”) and a tribute to that ubiquitous pause-filler, “Um.”"
Lynne Heffley © 2011 Parents’ Choice

Here is a little more information about the Parents’ Choice Approved Award:

The Parents’ Choice Approved Awards are given on the basis of the production, entertainment and human values they exemplify. It indicates a wholesome product that helps children enjoy developing physical, emotional, social or academic skills.

And here is a little something about the Parents’ Choice Foundation:

Parents’ Choice Foundation is the nation’s first and most respected nonprofit guide to quality children’s media and toys. An independent testing and information organization since 1978, Parents’ Choice is dedicated to providing trusted recommendations for books, toys, music, video games, digital media and more. Learn more at www.parents-choice.org.

Thanks again to the Parents’ Choice Foundation, Lynne Heffley, and everyone associated with this fine honor. Now, does that make me “Award Winning Children’s Recording Artist and Entertainer Mister Cooper”? I guess…

Everywhere I go, everyone I know asks me about Matilda. She sent along this picture with a nice note from the circus. She’s doing well and wanted me to say hi to all her friends. Ooh ooh. Ahh ahh.

Yes, the Belle Cooledge Library Sing-Along Club is cancelled this week. But you can still come and see me for some musical fun and frolic. On Tuesday, September 27, from 11:30 am until noon, I’ll be singing songs at the Pocket-Greenhaven Library. It’s going to be a big time and you can be there and square. Join me, won’t you?

Belle Cooledge Library is my neighborhood library. It’s the place where I started the after-school Sing-Along Club program. That was three years ago and I’ve been there every week since then. I look forward to my time there on Tuesday afternoons (4:00 – 4:30 pm) and thank you all for coming to see me each week. Thank you for telling your friends and neighbors. It’s been great.

This coming Tuesday, September 27, we will NOT be meeting at our usual time and place. The library is being painted and that includes the community room. So, we all have the week off. But, we WILL be getting together on Tuesday, October 4, for more singing, dancing, and fun. Please don’t forget to remember to mark your calendar. I’ll miss you. See you in October…

Remember all the rain we had the last time we tried this? Well, it’s going to be different this time. My weather man said it’s going to be 92 degrees and sunny tomorrow. Here’s all you need to know about Summer Splash, directly from the Sacramento Sidetracks website. Thanks, Keilah for posting this. I couldn’t have said it better myself…

Have some family fun and support the kids of Sutterville Elementary School this Sunday, September 18, at Summer Splash! From 1 pm – 5 pm at the Natomas Raquet Club, there will be tons of activities to celebrate the end of Summer! Enjoy swimming (heated pool!), water games, music, entertainment, food, arts and crafts, an obstacle course, prizes, a raffle, and more!

I will be there to sing some songs with all my friends starting at 3:15 pm for 30 minutes or so. Please join in with the fun. I’ll even let you pick the songs you want to hear. Deal? Deal.

This fun-filled event is geared towards children in grades K-6. Admission is $10.00 at the door. It includes participation in ALL activities and events. Kids under 3 get in free!

Labor Day weekend is here and that means one thing. School is back in session for another go ’round. This will be my 16th big year of singing with the Kindergartners at Sutterville Elementary School. That’s a scary statement to make, but also true. This year, I will be singing with a grand total of 5 elementary schools on a regular basis: Sutterville, Bret Harte, Hollywood Park, Camellia Basic, and Crocker-Riverside. Also with 2 preschools, Sutterville Pre-K and Tiny Tot Time. And let’s not forget the libraries: Belle Cooledge, Valley Hi, Pocket-Greenhaven, and Fair Oaks.

Mister Cooper is a busy guy. But, I’ll also say this from the bottom of my heart. It is an honor and a pleasure to be bringing music to some of the youngest members of the Sacramento community. And please don’t get me started talking about the cutbacks in education as this new school year begins. Class sizes have increased and good teachers are out of a job. That’s why I am extremely grateful for all of the invitations I have received to come and sing my “songs that teach” with your kids. I’ll see you all very soon. Stay cool.

P.S. – The This World CD has been updated with the 2 “new and improved” songs included. You may now buy from all sites with confidence. Thanks for your patience and support.

Backstage after a rocking Valley Hi Library Sing-Along Club meeting (left to right – Nathan, Mister Cooper, Garret, and James).

Now that summer is over and school will start soon (if it hasn’t already), I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for a wonderful 10 weeks of music time at the libraries. I had the pleasure to bring the Sing-Along Club to Belle Cooledge (Vicki and Donna), Valley Hi (Christine and Rhonda), and Fair Oaks (Christie and Jennifer) libraries every week during the summer months. Time spent at the Pocket-Greenhaven (Brendle and Tracey) and Franklin (Laura and Padmashree) libraries was enjoyable, as well. I am grateful to all of the libraries for making me feel welcome.

I especially want to thank everybody reading this for bringing your young ones to a library (or libraries) and joining in with the fun that is the Sing-Along Club. The most amazing part for me is that I am watching your kids grow up right before my eyes. Children that were too shy to dance in June are shaking their tail feathers now in August. So, thank you for dropping by and singing along. Thank you for picking up a CD or two (or three). Thank you for your kind words and support. Thank you for everything.

Moving forward into the fall, the Sing-Along Club will continue on a regular basis at four local libraries. Belle Cooledge, Valley Hi, Pocket-Greenhaven, and Fair Oaks libraries have all invited me back for more singing and dancing fun. There may even be more in the future. Please click on the links for the schedule. You probably already know it. It’s been great so far. Let’s keep the good times going. Tell you friends and neighbors. Libraries are fun. I’ll see you soon…

At least once a week, I visit Sacramento Sidetracks, the wonderful blog/website owned and operated by my friend, Keilah Woodard. Even though my son is almost 21 years old, I still find interesting news and reviews about all kinds of events here in town. It’s a great resource for kids and parents alike. I especially like the post she has up now. Titled “Kids Eat Free Every Day of the Week,” it’s a mind-boggling list of restaurants that make dining out a little more affordable. Check out the list and check out Sacramento Sidetracks. Meet Keilah. Keilah rocks.

As far as I can tell, you are now unable to download any of the music on the “old” version of This World. And, as far as I can tell, you will soon be able to download the complete CD or any of the songs on the “new and improved” version of This World on Tuesday, August 30 (1 week from today). I will keep you updated. Thanks again for your patience.

Did you notice that I changed around the website a little bit? Check the “Home” page for a table of contents and then individual pages for more information. I think it’s easier to navigate. I hope you like it. School starts for me after Labor Day. My schedule will be getting busier very soon. Thank you to everyone who came to a show or library this summer. Stay tuned for more announcements…

There will be some time (but hopefully no confusion) while the change over, from the “old” This World CD to the “new and improved” This World CD, continues for all digital outlets. You can still go to CDbaby, Amazon, or Napster, or iTunes (search for Mister Cooper) to download your favorite Mister Cooper CDs or songs, just be aware that the only CD being changed is This World and the only 2 songs that have been upgraded are “This World” (the song) and “Cool To Be Kind.” Everything else is the same. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. The best way to get any or all of my music is to meet me at a library and get it from me personally. I’ll keep you posted as to when the change over is complete. Thanks for your patience…

I have recorded 3 CDs of hand made, home made, music for kids and their grownups. Most people are aware of two of them. The first one, Mister Cooper, is filled with songs I’ve sung for years, namely “7 Colors in a Rainbow,” “3 Little Fishies,” “Good Morning To You,” and “Words To Live By (the coloring book song).” And the new CD, Mister Cooper is for the birds, contains many of the songs I sing nowadays, like “Matilda,” “Doctor Seuss is on the Loose,” and “Circle of Seeds.” But the middle recording, This World, is a little bit different. This CD features songs intended for slightly older kids, say age 7 – 12. Lyrically, the words touch on the themes of conservation, kindness, nature, and the history of rock and roll. The last 6 songs link up with the 2nd grade Open Court reading anthology (used by the Sacramento Unified School District). Wow. The music is a little different, as well. Many of the songs include drums and an electric guitar. All in all, maybe not the best choice for a 3 year old getting ready for bed.

But it’s a great choice for rocking out. Recently, I re-mixed and re-mastered two of the songs that I was never quite happy with. One of them, the title track “This World,” can be heard in all it’s newfound glory by clicking on the “Free Music” link above. I hope you like the way it sounds. The other song, “Cool to be Kind,” is much better now that the drums are straightened out. My producer, engineer, and friend, Scott McChane, did a wonderful job making sure these songs sound their best. I can now proudly (re)present this CD to you for your listening enjoyment. “Tiny Tim” is on this CD. So is “Bugs” and “Friend of Mine (the alligator song).” I’m going to start singing more of these songs around town. Remember, your 5 year old will soon be 8 and looking for music that’s a little more grown up. Grown ups like these songs, too. Even the cover has been updated. It’s all good. Thanks for listening. I hope to see you soon at one of the libraries.