So when exactly did your music career begin?
When I was 15 years old seems so long ago now.

That's funny coming from someone that is only 18. How long have you been playing guitar?
Well I picked it up when I was 9 or 10 and took a few lessons but I just didn't get into it. I was really into sports when I was younger. Right before I turned 15 is when I REALLY started diggin the guitar!

Who or what influenced you to pick it back up?
Well I went to a Cross Canadian Ragweed concert and saw Cody Canada rip the guitar to shreds and I said to myself this is what I?m supposed to do.

I know he is a supporter of your music; I had a conversation about a year ago with him and all he could say was Johnny Cooper has some amazing talent, wait till he is 25! So did your family support you in pursuing music at that time?
Oh yea my family has supported me right from start!!!!!

I am personally moved by your music, but I find it somewhat difficult to explain to others what your music is like. You definitely have your own sound and style but I can't quite label it. How would you describe it?
Hahahaha that's a good question because I really don?t know either! I think its going to take me a few more albums before I can make that decision but who knows I may never figure that out

So I guess I'm not alone on that one!!!
Who are your musical influences and what is it about them that inspire you?
Man there are so many, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue, Mike McClure, Stevie Wonder, Luther Ingram, Tom Petty, The Eagles, Hoyt Axton, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Shooter Jennings, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jason Boland, No Justice, Jonny Lang, Sublime, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Bob Seager , Hank Williams Sr. Jr and the 3rd , John Mayer, Queen , Wide Awake, Podunk AND SO MANY MORE haha
What inspires me is that they all have there own unique sound. That for some reason pulls me in when I hear them, like a magnet.

Wow that's quite a list. So I guess we would agree there are many great musicians out there. I know many of ya'll are good friends. Is there any one piece of advice that you have been given from a fellow musician that has been helpful for you?
Three actually, Randy Ragsdale told me once that this business is ALWAYS going to be tough there is no easy road but as long as you keep loving it with passion everything will work itself out. Another person that im not going to name told me once TO MAKE SURE TO NEVER WRITE A STUPID SONG and the third and my favorite piece of advice came from one of my best friends Mr. Jason Brown and that is ALWAYS REMEMBER ........SO YOU NEVER FORGET!!!!

I love your sense of humor; I have seen many shows where you and the band seem to be having so much fun on stage. I know there has got to be a funny moment that stands out for you, is there one you would like to share?
We had a great April fools gag that happened that is way too long for me to explain but it involves Jason our guitar player totaling the van, me almost dying, my parents having to come pick me up from the San Angelo hospital, then having Jason think his joke of totaling the van really put me in hospital. Then the big finale of all of us laughing about the day long April fools joke hahaha. I?m not sure if that makes any sense but it was funny at the time.

I heard about that particular April Fools day! Sounded like quite the adventure. And your poor parents, I could only imagine their distress.
It must be a hoot traveling with the band. I know they are much older than you. Can you elaborate on what it is like to work with veterans in the business?
You know it's a blessing to have those guys; there isn't a problem they haven't faced! They are the reason why everything goes smoothly while we're out on the road, because when you're on stage you can't just plug in and play. I wish it was that easy, hahaha. There are just too many things that can go wrong. Thankfully these guys have taught me what to do in certain situations so if I am out on my own I don?t freak or panic. The best part about these guys is when they are on stage with me they all just lose control and have fun and me being 18 that's all I know how to do, so it works out, haha!

That's awesome. Sounds like ya'll work real well with one another. And that you have learned a lot from them.
Let me ask you, what other avenues of opportunity would you have taken if you had not gone into music?
You know no matter what, I just have to be in the entertainment biz, no matter if its in music or having my own TV show like Steve Irwin "RIP". I love acting as well. When I was younger I was in plays and stuff not like pre k plays but plays where I had more than 3 lines haha and I loved it!! But as long as I do something that's artsy I will be able to stay sane!!!!

I guess that makes sense. You would have stayed in an artistic line of work and I am sure we would have been watching you on TV instead of on stage.
Your music shows your creative mind very well and it is no surprise to me when I go to your MySpace and see people from all over the country and even some from overseas leaving such positive and encouraging comments. How does it make you feel to see your music spread like it is?
Its really kinda unbelievable because on MySpace we don't ever just go searching for people and then add them to our friends, these people are somehow finding us, how I have no clue! But you know the fans are what give us strength so when I see comments like that it makes me even more thankful for everything and everyone I have.

That's what I think is so amazing when I check out your page, how people from all over just stumble upon it and they like what they hear.
Do you have a particular place you write most of your music? And what was your inspiration behind Texas To You and It's You? Both are great songs and I am sure there are stories to be told.
I write songs everywhere and anywhere. Haha. My room mostly though!!!!! Texas To You I wrote about my first love, she left to go to college for her freshman year and the song is pretty much saying even though you are not in Texas anymore I can always come see you and bring some Texas to ya!
Its you, I wrote about my parents and how much they mean to me!!!! Sometimes we can forget about how much Mom and Dad make you who you really are and that was my way of saying thanks!!!!

I know your parents are huge supporters of you and what you do. I think it is great that you appreciate them so much that you were inspired to write a song for them. A very heart felt song at that.
I guess we need to wrap this up, so I have one last question for you. Your first CD Live @ the Pub and your newest release Ignition are both exceptional, not to put any pressure on you but you have set quite the bar for yourself. What can we look forward to with your next album?
It's going to be something completely different than anything I have ever done. I'm already seven songs into the next album. No date yet of when we are going to record but I feel no need to try to one up Ignition. That album was who I was then and this next one will be who I am now. I'm all about growing as a musician, once you get comfortable at one thing its time to try something different and then put it all together, it keeps you on your toes!

Very well put! I am excited to see what you will be throwing at us with your next album. I will definitely have to catch one of your shows soon. Thank you so much for your time. It has been a pleasure talking with you. I know I speak for many when I say that I appreciate the soul you put into your music, and I wish you the best in your career!
Well thank you for taking the time to do this it was a lot of fun!!!!