Billy
Cooper began playing the steel guitar in the mid 1960s after a
fellow musician suggested that he go ahead and get a pedal steel
instead of struggling to get pedal steel sounds out of his Fender
Strat. Having taken that advice, he never looked back.
Billy was privileged to play steel behind some of the best musicians
and singers in the central and northern Virginia areas during the
sixties and seventies. In the mid seventies he realized a long held
dream of going on the road and took a job playing steel with Bobby
Helms of 'Fraulein' and 'Jingle Bell Rock' fame. He backed up
numerous Grande Ole Opry performers during this tour since many of
them did not carry their own musicians.
Upon returning to Virginia he freelanced with the steel guitar while
resuming operation of his construction company.
In
1982, Billy and his wife, Wanda, opened Billy Cooper's Steel Guitar
Shop. When some of Billy's acquaintances within the national steel
guitar community learned of his endeavor, they were very supportive
and helped spread the word. Every year, it seemed, a new section was
added onto the building to accommodate the ever growing stock.
The business was incorporated as Billy Cooper's Music, Inc. in 1992
to reflect the fact that they carried a variety of accessories and
products for musical genres other than steel guitar, though that
remains about 90% of the operation.
The Cooper philosophy is to always try to treat the customer just
like they themselves would want to be treated. When you walk into
their store, they want you to feel at home, stay as long as you like
and have the freedom to browse, try out guitars, ask questions or
request a demonstration. Even the location at the foot of the
beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains is a delightful experience. You are
invited to contact them for any need that concerns the pedal steel
guitar. It is their desire that it should be a pleasant experience.
Please see our Statement of
Faith
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