DANA COOPER and GEORGIA GRASS
Dana Cooper
Dana Cooper started his devotion to music at just age two. Since then this Kansas City native has logged millions of miles as a renowned songwriter and storyteller. This song poet engages and inspires audiences around the world with his quick wit, insightful stories and lyrics. Dana’s mixture of flat-picking, finger picking, and percussive strumming is legend among other guitarists. His harmonica playing is equally impressive. As one critic noted, “he sings like an angel and plays like the devil.”
Dana’s first self-titled release was on Elektra Records in the 70’s, celebrating the 50th anniversary this year. Since then he has worked with Lyle Lovett, Kim Carnes, Tom Kimmel, Shake Russell, Pat Alger, Hal Ketchum, Susan Werner & Kim Richey to name a few. His discography measures at 30 albums and collections, with more in the works.
During his years as a troubadour, Dana has received many accolades, including: In the Spirit of Folk Award, Heritage Musician Award, Best Male Songwriter Award- Indie Acoustic Project, Best Record- The Tennessean, Nashville Music Award Nomination Best Pop Album, and Veteran of the Kerrville Folk Festival.
Dana’s music does not belong to one genre. His latest CD, I Can Face The Truth, Charted on five different radio Charts- Americana, Indie Folk, Alt Folk, Alt Country & Roots & 3 Best of Year End Charts for 2022.
https://www.danacoopermusic.
Georgia Grass
Georgia Grass is one of the longest running and venerable bluegrass bands in Georgia. Founded in 1973 by band leader and guitarist Dan Daniel, the band has played many of the bluegrass festivals throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Georgia Grass has been well known from the early 1970’s in various clubs and private events in and around Atlanta. In 1976 they were chosen to play for the grand opening of the Georgia World Congress Center. With three talented members, they are still going strong today.
Band leader Dan Daniel plays acoustic guitar and sings lead vocals on most of our songs. Dan is the storyteller of the group, with a deep knowledge of traditional bluegrass and Americana folk music and its history in the state of Georgia and the Southeast. Dan is the President of the Southeastern Bluegrass Association. He is also a lifetime member of the Bonded Brothers of Bluegrass. He has received many awards throughout his long music career and in 2009 Dan was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2017 Dan received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers. And in 2019 Dan was awarded the Fiddlin’ John Carson Award for his contributions to the music industry in the state of Georgia.
James McKinney is considered one of the foremost masters of the 5-string banjo in the world. James also sings vocals on many songs and has been a well-known Nashville stage musician and recording artist for many years, playing in Opryland during its heyday as well as the Grand Ole Opry, The Station Inn, and other well known stages. James has played music both on stage and in recordings with many great names such as Bill Monroe, Vassar Clements, John Hartford and many others. James was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and also received the Musician’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers in 2018.
Niki Portmann plays upright bass and also sings vocals. She is an accomplished and respected bass artist of many years. Niki was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and also was awarded the Musician’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers in 2018.
Georgia Grass is a modern bluegrass band with roots deep in traditional bluegrass and Americana folk but a refreshing and modern take on many traditional favorites as well as original works.
https://www.thebash.com/