Dee Cooper-Durden

Artist Information

Biography

Dee Cooper-Durden is a singer/songwriter, recording artist, and author who has been performing the majority of her life in churches, at banquets, weddings, funerals, conventions and conferences, college Spring Gospel Extravaganzas, gospel workshops, and Sunday Brunches, etc. She is responsible for organizing several youth groups and writing songs for them to perform at church functions. She is a former member of the famed Bishop T.D. Jakes's choirs and has sung with the Mass Choirs and The Bishop's Choir of The Potter's House of Dallas, Texas. Dee's first recording was with The Durden Singers of Austin, Texas. She is the lead singer and songwriter of one of the most popular songs on the CD, "We Give the Glory" . God Sent Me an Angel is the CD's title. "We Give the Glory" was purchased from The Durden Singers manager and featured by Stubb Restaurant's management on their first gospel CD project.

In Austin, Dee has performed at the Gospel Sunday Brunches at Rudy's Restaurant, Threadgills, and the famous Stubb's Bar-b-Que in downtown Austin. She has also performed at The Annual Music Festivals at Zilker Park. Dee has also performed at several functions in the surrounding cities outside of Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Arizona, California, Kansas, etc. Dee recorded her solo album in 2005, the same time she published two books, Detours to Destiny.

She has been selected by the following Sonicbids promoters:

1) Gospel Search of 2007
2) Bible Believers Radio Station
3) Hurricane Healing - Music that Heals
4) The Spirit Radio (tSr)
5) MoPrayze Music Radio
6) Xradio.biz- Women With a Vision Global Exposure Opportunity
7) "The Best Of The Blessed" - Vol. 2
8) UNSIGNED Music Magazine
9) Independent Music Publishing (IMP)
10) Northeast In-Tune Magazine
11) Independent Gospel Radio/Sonicbids Combo Package
12) Foley's Entertainment, etc.

It is very impressive to read Foley's Entertainment evaluation of Dee's music: "I applaud your efforts! I also enjoyed your voice very much. It has a memorable, comforting vibe. Well done! The majority of artists score in the 2.5 to 3.5 range in the various categories. When someone sees 4, 4.5 or 5 as their score in a category, that tells them, to me, they are in the professional league and have strong potential. It's a validation from a pro, letting you know you are doing a fine job. I don't give out 4's and 5's easily, so any of those you see, you have earned. Well done! "

Northeast In-Tune Magazine stated, "The message in Dee's music is positive, spiritual, and life-changing. Songs are written by her from life experiences." Her writings have also caught the attention of prestigious organizations such as BMG Music Publishing: “Arranger Agreement” for the lyrics to the song, “The Lord is My Shepherd.” In 2007, she received an endorsement from the organization, The Christian Music Presenters (see information at the bottom of page).

You will find her music at www.cdbaby.com/cd/ dcdurden and at several digital sites. Her official website is: http://www.detourstodestiny.net.

Dee is also a published author/poet. Her books are distributed internationally.
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FYI
Special Note: Understanding the Christian Music Presenters Artist Endorsement

The greatest strength of the CMP Community of Artists and Concert Presenters is the fact that every artist represented in our searchable database has been interviewed, auditioned, and qualified to meet the highest standard available for Christian Artists.

An Artist or group who has received the CMP Artist Endorsement has submitted himself or herself to an extensive review process, including the confirmation of personal and professional references, which allows CMP to confidently recommend these artists to Christian venue planners as "artists who embody the CMP values" of Musical Excellence, Ministry Readiness and Spiritual Integrity.

Musical Excellence is evaluated in a live audition setting. Artists have the opportunity to demonstrate a command of their craft and their delivery of the message they bring.

Ministry Readiness is demonstrated in an artists ability to use appropriate tools to promote themselves to the presenting community, as well as, showing their skill at presenting themselves appropriately in a Christian venue (i.e.-ability to deliver a competent Christian witness)

Spiritual Integrity is represented through a thorough reference gathering process with artists providing personal and professional references from their local ministers and from presenters who've hosted them in Christian venues.

Instrumentation

For special song, The Lord is My Shepherd, the music composition "Saying Goodbye" was recorded by The Braxton Brothers, BMG Songs, Inc., and used by permission per "Braxton Brothers Productions". BMG's Legal Dept created an Arranger Agreement with Deather (Dee) Cooper-Durden for the song. Here is the Instrumentation: Wayne Braxton-Tenor Saxophone, Keyboards, Drum Programming; Nelson Braxton - Lead Bass; John 'Jubu' Smith - Rhythm Guitar; Cymbal roll samples provided courtesy of Yuri Moo
***
Instrument for other songs by Dee: Music Dubbing by Kenneth Taylor and J.J. Dye, The Good Shepherd Production, , Texas.
***
Musicians for The Gospel Medley:
Bernard Bennett-drums; Rev. Noble Cooper-lead guitar; Rev. Terry Cooper- bass/lead guitar; Rev. David Dixon-lead guitar; Rev. Jesse James Jones Jr. - lead guitar; Rev. Leonard -lead guitar. All Cooper cousins honoring Rev. Noble L. Cooper, Sr. - honorary lead guitarist

Discography

1) Single "We Give the Glory" - God Sent Me an Angel, The Durden Singers; airplay+++
2) Single "The Lord is My Shepherd: airplay
3) Latest CD "The Lord is My Shepherd Live: "Get Over It", Even Now Lord, This is the Jubilee now receiving airplay 88.7 FM in Austin, ISON Live in Australia, Japan & other countries outside the U.S.
4) CD Compilation "The Best of the Blessed" featuring song, The Lord is My Shepherd on Vol. 1 and I'll Be Thru, Vol 2 produced by 2Blessed Music Group, Tampa, Florida.

Official Website

http://www.detourstodestiny.net

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Official website
• CD baby
• Dee Cooper-Durden

Audio

• Get Over It
  Listen   Download
• The Lord is My Shepherd
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• thistrain
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• This is the Jubilee
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• He'll Love You AnyWay
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• Let It Flow
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• I'll Be Thru
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• Praising Him
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• He's God Alone
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• Even Now Lord
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Lyrics

• The Lord is My Shepherd
• Get Over It
• This is the Jubilee
• I'll Be Thru One of These Days
• He'll Love You AnyWay
• Let Your Spirit Flow
• Even Now Lord Bless Me
• Praising Him
• He's God Alone

Video

GetOverIt

Photo Gallery

Press

• Music Review by International Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  By: Melody Geear Dee Cooper-Durden has taken her gospel roots and produced a contemporary style...By: Melody Geear
  
  
  Dee Cooper-Durden has taken her gospel roots and produced a contemporary style of music, an infusion of R&B, jazz and soul influences. She has a unique perspective on what all the different facets of her congregation would enjoy listening to, from the traditional and conservative to the young and contemporary. Durden is able to spread the word through her unique style and breathe new life into gospel music.
  Durden sticks with tradition on “The Lord is My Shepard”. She takes a well-known and conventional hymn and takes a new approach by using a contemporary arrangement. Because of the song’s beauty and message, it is one of Durden’s most beloved tracks; not to mention it is the song that originally inspired her album. She possesses an emotional and persuasive vocal, while being supported by an electric keyboard and smooth sax that is reminiscent of 90’s light R&B. The song is upbeat and light, with Durden’s expressive quality keeping it together.
  On “Get Over It” Durden shows more of a soulful style, creating a modern baseline to support her compassion and driving lyrics. She expresses the need to literally “get over it” and move on with life after facing difficult obstacles. Durden’s voice is like a support mechanism, allowing the listener to realize that throughout life’s challenges, there are great things on the other side; one must just believe. She sings with heavy regard for what her listeners need and want to hear and creating a vehicle for the underlying message of life, love and happiness.
  Dee Cooper-Durden has definite potential as a prominent gospel singer, with some additional exposure and experience under her wing. There are a few off-key notes sprinkled through her tracks, but the positive message and emotive vocals outweigh the smaller technical problems.
  

• 2004 ACL Fest Guide [+ Show ]
  

  The Austin Chronicle 2004 ACL Fest Guide September 17 The Durdens 1pm, Capital Metro stage ...The Austin Chronicle
  2004 ACL Fest Guide
  
  September 17
  The Durdens
  1pm, Capital Metro stage
  
  While many gospel acts at ACL are firmly rooted in the R&B-leaning styles of the Forties and Fifties, the Durdens play this territory with a nod toward contemporary pop. Vocalist Larry Durden's warm, ingratiating stage personality makes you feel right at home, while bassist Anthony Durden keeps it funky on uptempo numbers like "We Give the Glory." The Austin-based family group has been singing for 27 years, and their latest CD, New Day, came out this summer. – Greg Beets
  

Setlist

1)This is the Jubilee by Dee Cooper Durden 2:24
2)Even Now Lord by Dee Cooper Durden 3:41
3)I'll Be Thru One of these Days by Dee Cooper Durden 4:34
4)Praising Him by Dee Cooper Durden 1:28
5)Let us Touch the Heart of God by Bennett 3:36
6)Gospel Medley by the Cooper Guitar Jamboree 13:58
7)One Day He Shall Come by Jackie Bennett 4:08
8)Get Over It by Dee Cooper Durden 4:13
9)He's God Alone by Dee Cooper Durden 4:26
10)Jesus Will Love You Anyway by Dee Cooper Durden
11)The Lord is My Shepherd by Dee Cooper Durden 5:00

Basic Requirements

Calendar