December 7 2022

December 7, 2022

My dear friend, co-author, and musical co-hort, Peter Cooper, passed away last night, the result of a fall he suffered last Thursday afternoon.

So many of the good things that have happened in my career these last few years can be traced back to Peter, including the autobiography we wrote together, “An Unprecedented Life In Country Music,” and my current exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, which has his fingerprints all over it.

I’ll write more about him and our friendship in our next fan club newsletter, but suffice it to say that we had much in common….our love for country music, sports, and good creative writing, not to mention our both having roots in South Carolina. I had spoken with him about 40-minutes before his fall, and we had planned to go to church together on Sunday and out to eat with a group of friends following the service. The last thing I told him before I hung up the phone was that I loved him…which I did.

May he rest in peace.

(PS) The following message is from Peter’s Family:

We will soon announce details about a celebration of life to take place in early 2023.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to either the Baker Cooper fund to support Peter’s son’s education, or the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, supporting their cultural organization’s educational mission.

Please direct donations to:

Baker Cooper

c/o Wells Fargo Bank

1712 West End Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

22 Rep. John Lewis Way South

Nashville, TN 37203

Journal

May 29, 2023

I hope while you are out today enjoying your grill, your boat, your ice cream freezer, your nearby lake or beach, that you don’t forget to pause and remember why we celebrate Memorial Day in the first place.

An awful lot of brave men and women have laid down their lives over the years so that we can enjoy the wonderful blessing we have in this country called “freedom.”

It’s not asking too much, is it, that we pause for a moment this afternoon to remember?To say thank you…even though we might not recognize a face in a picture or a name on a wall?

These heroes were somebody’s brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers. The least we can do on this day is remember….and whisper, “Thanks.”

Journal

February 20,2023

Hi Y’all:

Due to several unforeseen circumstances, the elective surgical procedure that I told you I had scheduled for February 27th has been postponed.

Many of you have reached out to me saying that you’ve had me in your prayers, and I appreciate that more than you know. At the moment I don’t know just when we might reschedule, but I will make sure you know when we know.

You are the best bunch of fans and friends anybody could ever be lucky enough to have!

Thanks for everything.

Journal

January 23, 2023

I’ve been getting quite a bit of mail lately from folks wishing me good luck at the upcoming Grammy Awards and telling me that they’ll be watching the telecast.

I appreciate that, but I thought I should let you know that the category in which I am nominated, American Roots, will not be featured on the portion broadcast on CBS. The good news is, however, that there is still a way you can watch.

Preceding the telecast, which is Sunday night February 5th at 8 p.m. Eastern time, there will be a Premiere Ceremony which will air live on GRAMMY.com at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. This is where the majority of Grammy winners will be announced, and with a simple click you can join in on the fun.

There are almost 100 different Grammy categories, and it’s impossible for all those to be included in a two-hour TV special. Therefore, to make sure all the nominees get recognized, City National Bank will sponsor the Premiere Ceremony.

I hope lots of you will tune in with your fingers crossed. Regardless of the outcome, it’s an honor to be nominated, and I’m looking forward to being there.

As the ol’ country boy down home used to say, “Don’t miss it if you can!”