Artist Information Biography Dee Cooper-Durden is a singer/songwriter 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 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 by Stubb Restaurant's management for the restaurant's first gospel CD project.  Dee has also had the privilege of singing with Kim Burrell. In Austin, Dee has performed with The Durden Singers for 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.  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://detourstodestiny.tripod.com. Dee is also a published author/poet.  Her books are distributed internationally. ************************************** 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" by The Braxton Brothers, BMG Songs, Inc., was used by permission,  "Braxton Brothers Productions".  BMG's Legal Dept present an Arranger Agreement with Deather (Dee) Cooper-Durden. 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 : 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. Links http://detours to destiny.tripod.com cdbaby Official website Dee's myspace The Lord is My Shepherd