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You are here: Home / podcast / FGH-0005: Interview With Bill Cooley – One of Nashville’s Most Respected Sidemen and Guitarist for Kathy Mattea

FGH-0005: Interview With Bill Cooley – One of Nashville’s Most Respected Sidemen and Guitarist for Kathy Mattea

By Adam Rafferty 2 Comments

https://traffic.libsyn.com/adamrafferty/FGH-0005.mp3

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Summary, Episode 5:

In this episdode you will hear a personal interview with guitarist and composer Bill Cooley.

Bill Cooley has been called “one of Nashville’s most respected sidemen” by Guitar Player Magazine.

He has toured and recorded with Kathy Mattea for over 28 years. Bill has also toured with Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, and Alan Jackson to name a few.

Bill has released his fourth CD, “In Search of Home,” a solo guitar album that made the Editor’s List for Best Music of 2016 in Premier Guitar Magazine.

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast, Bill Cooley and I chat about:

  • Bill’s musical background and influences growing up in the 60’s – from surf bands to Beatles to Leo Kottke.
  • His guitar teachers and the meaning they had in his life.
  • His new CD “In Search of Home” and his recording process * staying relaxed in the studio.
  • Bill tells about his sideman experience in Nashville starting in 1985.
  • His 28 year artistic relationship with Kathy Mattea.
  • The creative process they use to stay fresh and alert.
  • Bill’s musical priority – conveying emotion.
  • His guitar technique & right hand concepts.
  • Bill talks about giving clinics at Berklee College of Music with Kathy Mattea.
  • What would Bill tell students to do? Find out…
  • Closing track (on the audio version of episode only) – title track from new cd “In Search of Home”
  • You can find Bill Cooley’s Website online at https://billcooleymusic.com

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About Adam Rafferty

I’m Adam Rafferty – a guitar player born and raised in New York City, and currently spending most of my time on tour playing concerts and coaching my guitar students online at StudyWithAdam.com

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Comments

  1. Leonie Ford says

    December 6, 2020 at 2:02 am

    Wow! Global village eh? I am here in Sydney, Australia watching a guy in Austria interviewing a very humble, talented man in Nashville!! Many thanks Adam for an interesting interview. I am not a guitar player but discovered (and thoroughly enjoyed) listening to Kathy Matthea this year and realized on searching for more of her work that Bill had been accompanying her for a very long time. It was great hearing him speak about his background and work as he said he would prefer not to be front and centre. Thank you again – much appreciated!
    ps – When was this interview given?

    Reply
    • Adam Rafferty says

      December 10, 2020 at 9:08 am

      Leonie, wow thank you! I did this interview in 2017 I think :-). Groove on! AR

      Reply

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