Mister Cooper's Blog & Website

July is upon us and there’s so much going on. The weather is heating up. It’s supposed to hit 100º all weekend long. The 4th of July is Monday. And here’s a tip from your pal, Mister Cooper. Please be sure to drink plenty of water during these summer months. Especially if you’re doing outside activities like swimming or riding your bike. After the party is over, get a cool drink of water. OK? OK!

I hope you’ll take the opportunity to come and see me sing some songs for you this month. There are plenty of places to do just that. Here they are in no particular order:

Belle Cooledge Library – Every Tuesday at 4:00 pm
Valley Hi Library – Every Thursday at 4:00 pm
Fair Oaks Library – Every Friday at 10:00 am
Franklin Library – Saturday, July 23, at 2:00 pm
Fairytale Town Concert – Sunday, July 24, at 2:00 pm
Robbie Waters Pocket Greenhaven Library – Tuesday, July 28, at 11:30 am
Music In The Park Concert (Curtis Park) – Sunday, July 31, at 6:15 pm

Also, The Loose Acoustic Trio will be playing music at a Farmers Market every Saturday morning starting at 9:00 am and going until 11:30 am(ish). So come see the band. More information is located above by clicking on the “Live Performances” tab at the top of this page. And I’ll be posting reminders throughout the month. Circle your calendars and I hope to see you soon. Now, where did I leave my glass of water? I’m thirsty…

Summer is here and that means there is an abundance of Mister Cooper music available to you, especially if you live in the Fair Oaks area. Every Saturday morning, the Loose Acoustic Trio will be performing our special brand of “good time music” at a Farmers Market near you. One of them is the Country Club Plaza Farmers Market near Marconi and Watt Blvds. And the other is the Sunrise Farmers Market located at the light rail station on the corner of Sunrise and Folsom Blvds. We start around 9:00 am and stop about 11:30 am. So come to the Farmers Market, get your fruit and veggies, and listen to a tune or two.

Country Club Plaza Farmers Market – July 2, 16, 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 10, 24, Oct. 15, 29

Sunrise Farmer Market – June 25, July 9, 23, Aug. 6, 27, Sept. 17, Oct. 8, 22

But that’s not all. Starting this Friday morning, June 24, from 10:00 – 10:30 am, the Fair Oaks Library will be hosting the Sing-Along Club. I’ll be singing there all summer long. You are now invited to come and join in the fun. I’ve been looking forward to playing at this library, where my friend, Christie Hamm, is the Branch Manager. She’s the one who first brought my music program to Belle Cooledge Library and now she’s bringing me out to Fair Oaks. Thanks, Christie.

Fair Oaks Library:
Friday, June 24
Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Fridays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
All shows begin at 10:00 am and finish around 10:30 am

It will be great making music with my friends and for my friends this summer. I hope you can stop by and say hello. Thank you, one and all. Stay cool.

Some people think summer begins Memorial Day weekend. Still others believe summer begins Tuesday, June 21, on the Summer Solstice. I would have to say, for me, summer begins when school ends. This year, it’s Friday, June 17. After that my schedule completely changes. I say “have a nice summer” to all of the students I sing with in the classrooms. Or “see you in September.” Then off we go on our separate ways for a full 10 weeks of sunshine and fun.

Before I said “so long” to my friends at Sutterville Elementary, I picked up the latest edition of the school newspaper called “The Sutterville Slate.” It’s written, edited and published by the students in Pub Club, a group of 5th and 6th graders. What a pleasant surprise I found. Trevor Zinky (writer of the song “That’s What Beauty Is” on the new CD) wrote a nice piece about me and “Mister Cooper is for the birds.” You can read the whole article by clicking here. Thanks, Trevor, for the article and the song. Both are fabulous.

I would like to pass along big congratulations to Donna Zick, the new Children’s Librarian at Belle Cooledge Library. I’ve known Donna for a few years now and she will be a fantastic addition to the staff there. I used to sing with Donna’s son, Ethan, at Tiny Tots Pre-school. Her husband, Eric Bianchi, is the best live sound man in Sacramento (he’ll be running the board for the Music in the Park show on Sunday, July 31). Donna finished school, got a job at Central Library, and now has returned to Belle Cooledge. Welcome back, Donna. Maybe she’ll sit in with the Sing-Along Club.

And speaking of the Sing-Along Club at Belle Cooledge Library, music time has been extended through the middle of September. YEAH! Here are all the dates:

Belle Cooledge Library
Tuesdays, June 21, 28
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26
Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Tuesdays, September 6, 13
All shows start at 4 pm and finish around 4:30 pm

Happy summer, everybody. Be sure to check the “Live Performances” page on the top row of this website to find out where you can come and see me this summer. Drop by, say hi, and sing a song or two. Stay cool.

The Crocker Art Museum is presenting their Family Fun Day – Summerfest, on Sunday, June 19 from 11 am until 4 pm. Here’s what the Museum is saying about the Summerfest:

“Enjoy a creative sampling of activities for Crocker tots, kids, and teens at the official launch of the Crocker’s “All About Families” activities. Start your family summer vacation close to home at this Museum-wide celebration of the arts. Gallery adventures, hands-on workshops, films, performances, and more.”

But plans have changed from my last post. Here is the new plan A.

I will be performing 2 (two) big 30-minute sets of family-friendly music at this event. The start times have been changed to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. And the show will take place in the Main Courtyard (right around the corner from the main entrance). This is the big stage with the big PA system. Could it be a big deal? Only if you’re there to sing along with me. I know it’s Father’s Day. Bring Dad along. There’s fun for everyone.

The Crocker Art Museum has recently been expanded and remodeled. The current exhibit is called Transcending Vision: American Impressionism, 1870–1940 and it looks very interesting. So please join me for big fun at the Museum. I’ll see you on Sunday…

June is one of my top 12 favorite months of all time. School ends and summer really begins. The weather (hopefully) starts getting nicer and the temperatures (hopefully) start getting warmer. There are a number of places where you can come and see me during this merry month of June. Please circle these dates on your calendar. it’s going to be a fabulous summer.

This coming Saturday, June 11, I will be singing some songs at the “Garden Unveiling and Celebration” at Bret Harte Elementary school. I’ve been singing with the Kindergarten students there for 9 years now and this will be a great event. It’s one of the school’s “Dollar Days” and there will be lots going on. My 30 minute music time will start at 2:00 pm. I’ll be playing “Circle of Seeds,” “Dig a Little,” and other songs about gardens and growing. So come and support a fine school and check out their new garden.

Another place where I’ll be soon is the newly expanded and remodeled Crocker Art Museum. On Sunday, June 19, the museum is holding a Family Fun Day called Summerfest. I’ll be outside in the Kendall-Davis courtyard (behing the mansion) for 30 minute performances starting at 1:00 and 3:00 pm. The museum is featuring American Impressionist paintings and painters. This is going to be a fun time for everyone in the family.

Also, I’ll be adding a new library to the mix starting Friday, June 24. The Fair Oaks Library will be hosting the Sing-Along Club every Friday from 10:00 am until 10:30 am all summer long. I’m really looking forward to music time with the community there. Big THANKS to Christie for the invitation. Here are the dates:

Fair Oaks Library:
Friday, June 24
Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Fridays, August 5, 12, 19, 26
All shows begin at 10:00 am and finish around 10:30 am

And don’t forget about every Tuesday at 4:00 pm at Belle Cooledge Library, every Thursday at 4:00 pm at the Valley Hi Library, and Tuesday, June 28, at 11:30 am at the Robbie Waters Pocket Greenhaven Library. June is all good. See you soon? Thanks.

Just added... Check out the little mention in The Pocket News. Leave a comment if you have one. Wow. Thanks to The Pocket News.

Due to rain, rain, rain, the Sutterville Summer Splash has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for September. Sorry, folks.

Sutterville Elementary School is where my son, John, went to grade school. It’s also where I started singing with kids 16 years ago. It’s the place where I now present all of my various music programs. The support I have recieved from the whole Sutterville community over the years is something I am so grateful for. And this coming Saturday, a fantastic event is being held to raise money for the Sutterville P.T.A.. It’s going to be fun from beginning to end. Hopefully, you’ll come by, say hello, and sing a song or two with me at 2 pm.

Think Fun, Think Sun, Think Cool, Think Pool!

Summer Splash is a family-friendly event with swimming, water games, music, entertainment, food, vendors, arts and crafts, obstacle course, prizes, fitness challenge, raffle, and more!

Saturday, June 4, 2011, 11am-3pm at the Natomas Racquet Club.

Admission
$8 in advance, $10 at the door. Includes participation in all activities and events.
Adults & kids under 3 get in free! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Entertainment Schedule:
11:15-11:45 a.m. International Gymnastics Centre Exhibition
12:00-12:30 p.m. Jumpin’ Jaguars Jumprope Exhibition
12:45-1:15 p.m. Mad Science
1:30-1:45 p.m. Very Special Arts presents the 3rd Grade Hip Hop Crew
2:00-2:20 p.m. Sing-A-Long with Mister Cooper
2:30-3:00 p.m. Magician Trevor Wyatt will teach you how to do your very own magic tricks

I have something to admit. I’m not much of a computer guy. When I was a younger man, it was fun taking things apart to see how they worked. Nowadays, if it works, I’m good. Today, I learned what a widget is. Here’s what Wikipedia says about a widget:

“A widget is a stand-alone application that can be embedded into third party sites by any user on a page where they have rights of authorship (e.g. a webpage, blog, or profile on a social media site). Widgets allow users to turn personal content into dynamic web apps that can be shared on websites where the code can be installed.”

Very interesting. Now I will share with you a widget for all 3 Mister Cooper CDs. I hope you will take a look and a listen. If you want to save big bucks, come to a library show and get it direct. Thank you.

Bob Dylan turns 70 years old today. I can’t think of a songwriter who was more influencial in the last 50 years. If you play the guitar and sing songs, no matter what style or genre, you’ve heard of Bob Dylan. I first heard his songs before I heard his voice. “Mr. Tamborine Man” by the Bryds was an early favorite. My sister loved to play “Blowin’ in the Wing” by Peter, Paul, and Mary. I became a big fan when I heard the album “John Wesley Harding.” After enjoying many Dylan songs over the years, here is a short list of my favorites.

Favorite songs: “Forever Young”, “Buckets of Rain”
Favorite Album: “Blood on the Tracks”
Favorite Cover Song: Jimi Hendrix playing “All Along the Watchtower”

Happy birthday, Bob. And many more…

This is a picture of my new friend, Keilah Woodard, who is the founder, owner and operator of Sacramento Sidetracks, a wonderful blog/website for parents in the Sacramento area. It’s a great resource if you’re looking for fun places and events to share with your kids. There’s even a Weekend Top 10 list posted each Thursday. Her son, Bobby, attends Tiny Tot Time Preschool in Land Park, one of my favorite places to sing with kids. Visit Sacramento Sidetracks. You’ll be glad you did.

Keilah has now posted about me. Under the “May 18″ date, you’ll find a video of the song “Matilda” sung at Belle Cooledge Library (also available here on the Videos page), a video of Bobby singing “Circle of Seeds,” library schedules, and a Give-away Contest for the new CD, “Mister Cooper is for the birds.” Thank you, Keilah, for the kind words and support for my music programs. Now you really have to go to Sacramento Sidetracks. Check it out!

Another great big THANKS to the Valley Hi Library for extending the weekly Sing-Along Club meetings through the first week of August. Please come and join in with the singing fun all summer long. Thank you, Rhonda and Christine for inviting me back for more. I truly enjoy my time at this beautiful library. Here are the new dates:

Valley Hi Library
Thursdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28
Thursdays, August 4
All shows begin at 4:00 pm and finish around 4:30 pm

But wait…there’s more! I am pleased to announce that I will be performing once again this year at the Music In The Park concert series in Curtis Park. For those of you who read these posts, you know that this will be one of my favorite performances of the summer. The date is Sunday, July 31, and the show will start close to 6:30 pm. I will let you know who the main act will be when I know. It’s going to be a great summer. Let’s get together, have some fun, and sing some songs…

When I was growing up, I used to love coming home from the music store with a brand new album from one of my favorite groups. The Beatles, the Lovin’ Spoonful, the Young Rascals, the Byrds, or the Rolling Stones would sometimes release 2 albums a year. And as much as I loved all the music, I really enjoyed looking at the covers. There was usually a big picture of the musicians on the front. And on the back was lots of information about the songs, some more pictures, and maybe a few words from the band. It all changed with the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by the Beatles. The album cover opened like a book, with a great picture of the Fab Four on the inside. The front was that fantastic piece of photography. My friends and I spent hours trying to name all the famous faces. And on the back were all of the lyrics to all of the songs. That had never been done before. What a joy it was to hold. I still have my original copy.

When CDs starting becoming the trend, those great covers became obsolete. Everything shrank. If the lyrics were included at all, they were these tiny little words that I could barely read. Pictures were miniscule. People got used to it and that’s the way it’s been.

Musical artists still release their recordings on vinyl. In fact, long playing records are making a comeback. And, for the time being, CDs are still very popular. But more and more people are interested in just getting the music. Downloading digital MP3s of your favorite songs can be played back on an iPod, your phone, your computer, car, laptop, or just about anywhere. Very convenient. And you can usually buy the whole record for under $10. Wow!

If you’re looking to download some Mister Cooper music, you’re in luck. There are a number of places where you can do it. CDbaby, Amazon.com, Napster, or iTunes (search for “Mister Cooper”) all have titles ready for you to purchase. Pick out a few tunes, or get them all. It’s up to you. Please leave a comment, if you have one. Thanks in advance for your support. I really appreciate it.