“When Kris Kristofferson decided to move here (back in the ‘60s),” Cooper says, “he did so because he had hung out with Johnny Cash and Cowboy Jack Clement over a few days. He told me one time, ‘I knew that even if I couldn’t make it as a songwriter I could still hang around these incredibly inspiring and intelligent people.’ I feel that way now. “You always run into interesting people that you know. Nashville’s a great adult playground. We’re just full of musicians, artists, painters, chefs and what have you. And they all seem to support each other. They realize that not only does the greater reward come from supporting each other, but it’s just a fun way to live your life.” When Cooper speaks about his adopted city, you can hear the undeniable enthusiasm in his voice. It’s the spirit of the true fan — the kid who enthusiastically roots for his favorite big league team, and looks forward to each new season with its promise of hope for exciting plays and victories. “Nashville is not some sports team that loads up with free agents in a last-gasp effort to make something of themselves,” Cooper says, returning to the baseball metaphors to speak on the future of Music City, U.S.A. “This is the deepest farm system that there is.”
September | October 2013 THEEASTNASHVILLIAN.COM
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