STORY SUMMARY
Veteran musician Tony Cooper, known for his soulful keyboard performances across the Monongahela area and beyond, is currently on the waiting list for a liver transplant due to cirrhosis. Cooper has played with notable acts including Razzy Bailey, Larry G Hudson, Marshall Tucker, and Stillwater. His diagnosis requires him to stay within an hour’s drive of a hospital in Atlanta, leading to significant unexpected expenses. In response, fellow musicians and friends, including Big Mike, Bruce Wht City, and members of bands like Trace Ombre, Stillwater, and Wet Willie, have organized a fundraising event at the Society Garden. The goal is to raise enough funds to support Cooper financially and demonstrate the collective love and respect from the music community that he has touched over his 50-year career.
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Long-time musician Tony Cooper, known for his soulful performances, faces a critical health battle while playing with numerous bands over the decades. Cooper, a recognizable figure in the Monroe area, has played alongside notable musicians such as Razzy Bailey, Larry G Hudson, the Marshall Tucker Band, Toy Caldwell, Doc Holiday, and Stillwater. Recently, Cooper received a diagnosis requiring a liver transplant due to cirrhosis, and he now awaits a crucial call confirming the availability of a donor liver. Until then, Cooper must remain within an hour’s drive of the hospital in Atlanta, incurring significant unexpected expenses.
Support for Cooper has surged among his friends and fellow musicians, who are rallying to alleviate his financial burden. Big Mike, a close friend, underscores Cooper’s kindness and his propensity to assist others. This generous spirit has now inspired his friends to organize a benefit to aid him. Various bands with which Cooper has collaborated expressed their eagerness to participate, including bands Tony has frequently played with and individual musicians like Rob Walker from Stillwater and Eddie Stone from Wet Willie.
A fundraising event is set to take place at the Society Garden on Wednesday night. The effort aims to gather enough donations to support Cooper financially during this challenging time and to demonstrate appreciation for his decades-long contribution to the local music scene. Promoters urge community members to attend and show their support for a musician who has shared his talent and heart with them for over 50 years.
