Kelly's Bio
Kelly Cooper has grown up to the soothing sounds of Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Slim Whitman and Linda Ronstadt. It was these singers that influenced Kelly to sing in the style she does today.
In 2001, Kelly had the opportunity to meet Billy Bridge, a Golden Guitar nominee and now great friend. He introduced her to the country music industry and she hasn’t looked back!
In 2004, Kelly became noticed when she was in the top 10 of the Victorian and National Country Music Awards along side artists such as Sara Storer, Beccy Cole and Merelyn Carter. This would see her record an album with Golden Guitar Award winning producer Roger Corbett, which gained her a finalist placing of the ‘EP of the Year Award’ in the Tas and NZ Independent Country Music Awards.
Her success also saw her being interviewed on Canadian radio show as a feature artist on Michelle Wright’s ‘The Women of Country’ along side Beccy Cole after she released the first single off the EP, ‘Are You With Me’ onto NfS. She also did a video clip for that song with Golden Guitar winner Ross Wood that aired on the very popular Country Music Channel (CMC) with much success.
As well as this, she worked with Billy Bridge on releasing the old Susie Q and Chris Norman hit, ‘Stumblin’ In’ that became a hit on radio and CMC alike with Director and Golden Guitar winner, Michael Bryers. It was also the collaboration with Billy that earned her a finalist placing in the 2007 TIARA Awards and in the 2006 ACRA Awards.
Her style can be described as a little old fashioned with lashings of pedal steel and warm, sultry vocals, concentrating mainly on those beautiful country ballads that sweep you away. She has been likened to artists such as Jewel, Trisha Yearwood, Linda Ronstadt and Eva Cassidy.
Blue Rain's Bio
Blue Rain are Kelly’s support muso’s and her backing band. These guys make Kelly’s gigs a pleasure to listen to. Without them, she wouldn’t have a music career. Kelly would like to thank them all and introduce you to the 3 people (in alphabetical order) that help her sing!
Bill Dunn
Bill started playing in bands at the tender age of 15. He played with the multi-instrumentalist and country great, Lawrie Minson. Bill played rhythm guitar back then and now he is finally following his love of music as Laurie did.
He joins Blue Rain as the dedicated, hard working naturally talented guitarist and while he works hard, he loves every minute of it.
Bill plays everything from blues, rock and pop, to finally the best genre of them all, country.
His smooth playing and harmony vocals make this trio’s country sound complete and memorable. Also, listen out for Bill’s amazing writing ability he brings to the group’s original works. You won’t be disappointed!
Debbie Gall
Debbie has been singing professionally for about 15 years. She’s done everything from Elvis shows with Kelly to various bands such as the a capella quartet which aired on Hey Hey it’s Saturday – (and they won!); the highly successful band Barrocka Bye Babies that toured everywhere from Tassie to Brisbane; The Justice, a very successful covers band in Canberra ; Dance Force, another successful Canberra based covers band and finally Axis who are still gigging. Debbie has a rather eclectic taste in music ranging from the crooners music to country, but her real specialty is Bluesy Jazzy numbers!
Debbie’s harmonies are a real treat to listen to and together, Kelly and Debbie’s voices blend like they are sisters! Her stage presence and her confidence will astound you and probably make you laugh a little too. She brings gigs to life on stage and she’s a definite asset to Blue Rain.
Dave Wardle
Dave lives in the ACT with his wife, two dogs and a cat, and is enjoying the lifestyle of the semi-retired after a career in the IT industry.
Raised on a dairy farm near Ballina in northern NSW, Dave began learning guitar and violin at the age of 10. He enjoys playing a wide variety of styles of music to anyone who’ll listen. The rest of the time he is out in the shed tinkering with an old motorbike.
Listen out for Dave’s superb instrumentation, as he’s not only skilled in violin, but he brings Kelly’s vocals to life with his sensitive and skilled guitar playing. He also plays a mean bass. He’s a talent Kelly is thankful to have backing her.