Tony Hooper Bio

Born in Mississippi in 1968 to a poor Pentecostal family with no television for distraction and only 78's and 33's of Chet Atkins and a handful of Southern Gospel recordings, Tony Hooper found his deep southern roots. "I started playing guitar around age 6 and honestly can't remember not playing." Sneaking around to listen to public radio because everything but Souther...
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Tony Hooper Bio

Born in Mississippi in 1968 to a poor Pentecostal family with no television for distraction and only 78's and 33's of Chet Atkins and a handful of Southern Gospel recordings, Tony Hooper found his deep southern roots. "I started playing guitar around age 6 and honestly can't remember not playing." Sneaking around to listen to public radio because everything but Southern Gospel and loving your mother was a sin, Hooper found the lonely sound of the delta blues and bluegrass. Then, the 80's happened and Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and others messed everything up... Now, Hooper says, "I'm pretty much a mutt." Tony started a Rock Christian band in 1984 which might as well been of the devil according to friends and family. The band, Heart and Soul recording 1 cassette, but Tony went on to record
"Tony Hooper and the Mississippi Mudcats" also known as "Month of Sundays," "Shepherds Field," "Worship Rising," "East To West" and many other cds. Tony's music career seems to be linked to the church which Hooper says is a miracle. !
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In 1988 Hooper crossed paths with bassist and Christian rocker Rick Cua, formerly with "The Outlaws." Rick and Tony have been together making recordings and touring ever since. Recordings include: "Like A Cool Drink," "Won't Fade Away," and now, " Blues Counsel," a band of rockers featuring: Will McFarlane, Tom Lane, Tony Morra, Emedin Rivera and Rick. Tony also mentors 30 plus young men and women in his region weekly. "It's a ministry!" says Hooper. !

Tony Hooper does many festivals, concerts, and large Christian events around the country and the world. List includes: Men at the Cross with Michael W. Smith, E Women Events with Michael O'brien, Camp Electric with Toby Mac and others, Kingdom Bound (with Rick Cua, Blues Counsel and others), Bryan Duncan, Heather Headley, Phil Keaggy, Ceili Rain, Lindell Cooley, Kathryn Scott, Meredith Andrews, Kari Jobe, and many more. Hooper has 1 Gold Record with "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" EMI...
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