May 5, 2025 • 30 mins
Journey of a Soulful Musician: Ford Cooper on Creativity and Authenticity | Just Keep Talking Podcast
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In this episode of the Just Keep Talking Podcast, host Brother Love engages in a heartfelt conversation with Ford Cooper, a 23-year-old emerging musician from Clarksville, Tennessee. Ford shares his journey of becoming a multi-instrumentalist influenced by the raw energy of 90s grunge and the smooth rhythms of neo-soul. The discussion delves into the impact of mental health on creativity, as Ford opens up about living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the significance of authenticity in his music. With honesty and vulnerability, Ford reveals how his songs reflect his personal experiences and emotions, particularly his current song 'All I Ever Say.' Tune in to explore the power of storytelling, the importance of self-care, and the unifying essence of music.
#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #musicianlife #musicjournalism #beseen #beheard #belong #fordcooper #brotherlove #justkeeptalking #autism #asdawareness #asd
00:00 Introduction to the Just Keep Talking Podcast
01:09 Meet Ford Cooper: Emerging Musician
01:20 Ford's Musical Journey and Influences
02:42 Life in Nashville and Musical Beginnings
05:50 Understanding Music and the Creative Process
10:32 Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder
16:30 Reflecting on Personal Boundaries
17:02 Discussing the Song 'All I Ever Say'
17:33 Exploring the Song's Lyrics and Themes
20:13 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care
22:34 Life in Nashville and Community Support
23:09 Artistic Authenticity and Message
25:12 Upcoming Shows and Band Setup
26:58 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights
28:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Brother Love (00:00):
Telling our stories is the connective tissue of the
collective human experience.
The Just Keep Talking Podcast delvesinto the lives and stories of artists.
What is the impact ofmental health on creativity?
What does it mean to bea creative individual?
Someone who feels deeply,experiences joy and pain intensely
and navigates the challenges oflife through the creative process.
(00:21):
With each story shared, we explore theauthentic experience of our basic need
to Be Seen, to Be Heard, and to Belong.
We are really not so differentfrom one another, nor are we alone.
Together we can inspire, encourage, andenlighten each other to find the true joy
and fulfillment that is within ourselves.
When we Just Keep Talking, we create thespace for gratitude, self-acceptance,
(00:46):
and grace in everyday life.
In a world filled with divisiveness,fostering inclusivity and connection is
a powerful way to make a positive impact.
The Just Keep Talking Podcast with me,Brother Love, because Your Story Matters.
Larry (01:02):
Hello and welcome to the Just Keep Talking Podcast with me, Brother
Love, because Your Story Matters.
I am here today with Ford Cooper.
Hello sir.
Ford Cooper (01:12):
How You Doin'?
Larry (01:13):
Singer songwriter, piano player, guitar player, multi instrumentalist.
Lemme just read some things that are true.
Ford Cooper, born and raisedin Clarksville, Tennessee.
You are an emerging 23-year-old musicianwhose soulful melodies and introspective
lyrics resonate with audiences worldwide.
Is that true?
Ford Cooper (01:32):
We're getting there.
We're getting there.
Yeah.
Larry (01:34):
So your influences are from the nineties grunge to
smooth rhythms of neo soul.
Your musical journey is a testamentto the transformative power of music.
I'm still reading here.
Ford's musical Odyssey began at the ageof 15 when he first picked up a guitar.
Drawn to the raw energy andemotional depth of Nirvana, Pearl
Jam, and the Red Hot Chili peppers,
(01:54):
it was authenticity of thesebands that ignited his personal
desire to become a musician.
As his musical horizons expanded,Ford's journey took a pivotal turn
when he discovered Jimi Hendrix.
Oh, yes, sir.
He was intrigued by Hendrix'sVirtuoso guitar playing and innovative
approach to blend blues rock, and
R & B.
(02:15):
Ford dove even deeper into the richtapestry of musical genres, highlighting
the soulful sounds of artists likeMarvin Gaye, D'Angelo and Erykah Badu.
This allowed him, you, to craftyour own unique sound, blending a
fusion of smooth grooves, heartfeltlyrics, and infectious melodies.
Ford It's nice to have you here.
Ford Cooper (02:36):
Thank you for having me.
Larry (02:37):
I appreciate you putting this together on your site.
It's fantastic.
Let's dig a little bit deeper.
How long have you lived in Nashville?
Ford Cooper (02:44):
About two and a half years.
Coming up on three.
Larry (02:48):
So what brought you here?
What brought you to Nashville, Tennessee?
Ford Cooper (02:51):
The music scene.
Yeah, I guess really wantedto be a professional musician.
I didn't know what that meant at thetime, but, Nashville's a cool town.
That's super inspiring.
I love the culture.
Larry (03:03):
Yeah.
So you're not from, very far from here.
What was the scene like growing up?
Was there music in your house growing up?
What were you listeningto as a kid, your parents?
What was it like?
Ford Cooper (03:12):
I didn't really play a lot of music as a kid.
I played a lot of sports.
I picked up guitar around 15 or 16,and that was kind of when I started,
really studying and putting in alot of hours and practice on it.
My dad loves Van Halen, the Eagleskind of old classic rock stuff.
He's got great music taste and mymom likes a lot of the grunge stuff.
So we had an eclectic mixgoing on in the house.
(03:35):
They've been supersupportive and encouraging.
Larry (03:38):
They are supportive and encouraging.
Ford Cooper (03:39):
Oh, they're wonderful.
Larry (03:40):
That's fantastic.
My parents, I'm a little olderthan you are by about 30 years.
You know, my
father to this day, my father,
Ford Cooper (03:46):
You look great, bro.
Larry (03:47):
Thank you.
To this day.
My father's like, I don't
understand your business.
I'm like, like neither do I.
Neither does anybody.
I'm threatening him to go
back to School.
Ford Cooper (03:55):
Still figuring it out.
Larry (03:56):
Yeah.
like, He's
like, know could go back to school.
I'm gonna be like, you know what dad?
I'm going to NYU.
How that?
How about
that?
What a good time we'll have!
A little expensive, don't you think?
But you're an artist.
You're a creative, and your parentssupport that, and that's fantastic.
And I, I'm very happyto hear that for you.
Ford Cooper (04:13):
Well, I've been blessed.
Larry (04:14):
And so, do they play instruments at all, either of your parents?
Ford Cooper (04:17):
No, not a
ton.
My dad will strum a guitar everynow and then, they got great ears.
They love listening.
Larry (04:23):
Isn't that the greatest gift?
Ford Cooper (04:25):
Oh Yeah.
Larry (04:25):
Don't you think listening is the, true form of the gift
that is the greatest of all gifts?
Ford Cooper (04:30):
Oh, yeah.
That's where, that helps me see thepictures, like taking it in seeing it.
You know?
Yeah.
And Listening.
Larry (04:37):
What do you mean taking it and seeing it?
Seeing the pictures?
Where you're listening to the pictures?
Ford Cooper (04:41):
Yeah.
I think that's the music.
I mean, everyone you kind of, listed,they all had like an atmosphere
that I really enjoyed early on.
I didn't play very well whenI was listening to him, So it
was, it was brand new, you know?
And now I can kind of play some ofthose songs, so some of the secrets
have been unlocked, Yeah, I thinkthat's the music I enjoy the most.
Is that it's
like all encompassing.
Larry (05:01):
Yeah.
I love that about, the Beatles,Paul McCartney, to me was
able to paint a picture.
Ford Cooper (05:06):
Yeah.
The story.
Larry (05:07):
He really painted a
story.
And you're in the story!
Ford Cooper (05:10):
The characters, there's dialogue, there's plot.
Climax.
Larry (05:14):
John was, he was the emotional writer that was like, Hey, is it okay
if I just tell you all how I'm feeling?
We were like, yes!!!
Ford Cooper (05:21):
Yeah.
Larry (05:21):
Now Paul did the same thing in a different way, I always find these
things so fascinating I'm a musician, Igrew up playing drums and I wrote songs
and I was singing harmonies in the band.
And, I always enjoyed composingmusic, but listening and
hearing lyrics was hard for me.
Ford Cooper (05:38):
I relate to that.
Yeah.
Larry (05:39):
Because I could feel the music.
I could just see myself in that picture.
And I was afraid to say,what are my emotions?
'Cause in my mind I wasthinking, who cares?
Right?
Ford Cooper (05:50):
Word.
Larry (05:50):
So what do you gravitate towards when you hear songs?
Starting out, what was the thing?
Was it the lyric?
Was it the sound?
I mean, it could have been allof the above, but something
must have grabbed you.
What grabbed you when you were younger?
That really just spoke to you?
Ford Cooper (06:03):
Oh man, I loved that.
Uh, music was somethingthat I could study.
There wasn't like adefinitive winner and loser.
It was kind of like up to myselfand hearing myself get better.
I love that.
And, one of the guys that wasreally inspired was, Billy Joel.
'Cause hearing his songs, theysounded like a scene of a movie.
And I'd never been to New York,but I was like, that's probably
what New York sounds like.
Larry (06:25):
You could taste New York City in Billy Joel's songs.
I'm from, from New York City.
Right.
And he hid it on the head.
He really, truly, truly hit it on thehead, and I'm so appreciative for that.
My wife is from New Jersey,so she's Springsteen, right?
She's from Asbury Park.
And I'll tell you people really,they put Billy Joel down over there.
They say,
Ford Cooper (06:44):
They're not a fan?
Larry (06:45):
I'm like, why can't we love both?
Then you got New Yorkers arelike, yeah, Billy Joel, oh, we
don't Springsteen.
And by, the end of the day, they'reall at the same concert, loving Billy
Joel or loving Bruce Springsteen.
So, when did you decide that youwere gonna try this to like, okay,
so I like hearing this, whether itwas the Nineties Grunge stuff or the
more smooth R & B stuff, but thatsomething must have clicked where you're
(07:07):
like, well, lemme give this a shot.
Yeah.
What was that like for you?
When did that happen?
Ford Cooper (07:11):
I didn't learn a lot of songs, when I first started playing,
I was more interested in the theoryand the study of the instrument.
So when I was learning guitar, I, wasway more interested in chords, the
inversions of 'em, 'cause I wantedto understand what I was playing.
I didn't want to just play it.
My thought was, well, if Iknow a bunch of chords, I can
probably play a lot of songs.
then I started kind of picking apart
(07:32):
the guitar parts to thesongs I really liked.
And that kind of helped me understandmusic a little more, not just from
a textbook point of view, you know?
Larry (07:39):
So you learned how to play chords you know, how to read music.
Ford Cooper (07:42):
Nah, I can read a chord chart.
Not, classical sheet music, but.
Learning the numbers systemand like the theory I think
really progressed my playing.
Larry (07:51):
Wow.
The number system
Ford Cooper (07:53):
Is
Gorgeous.
I love that.
Larry (07:54):
Explain what the numbers system is, you're a player
to, our audience
who doesn't understand.
Ford Cooper (07:59):
Well, I hope I explained this well.
Larry (08:01):
You're You're gonna explain
it better than me, I promise.
Ford Cooper (08:04):
In music, every song has a key.
Every key has notes How many notes?
Is it 12 notes?
Is there more than that?
Larry (08:10):
Last I heard?
12 notes.
Ford Cooper (08:12):
So then you can like put numbers on 'em so it's easy to
transcribe the song to a different key.
So If you're playing withdifferent singers, it makes
it a little more accessible.
Was that good?
is that okay?
Larry (08:21):
That's great.
No, 'cause when I moved hereand people would give charts and
people from
Ford Cooper (08:26):
It me a minute.
Yeah.
I had to really.
Study.
it.
Yeah.
Larry (08:29):
We were like, what the heck is this?
Ford Cooper (08:30):
Yeah, I didn't know.
Larry (08:31):
Meanwhile, you still have people now who are sending real notated
charts down from let's say, New Yorkor LA or wherever Oklahoma, And it's
actually the whole song written out.
So the number system is a wonderfulway, so that, like you said, you
can get on stage if I'm the singerand you're used to playing this
song in A, but I need this in
G, No problem.
Ford Cooper (08:53):
I can drop it down.
Larry (08:54):
Drop it down.
Yeah.
I think that's fantastic becauseas a kid I studied drums.
I ran home after school and crammedeverything in really, really
fast and kind of learned it.
And I didn't really study it as well or asmuch as you did, which I think is really
amazing because a lot of people get intothings for different reasons, but you
wanted to know what makes music work?
Ford Cooper (09:13):
Yeah.
A hundred percent.
Larry (09:14):
That's sort of your "MO", right?
I think you seem like somebody who digs ina little bit deeper to figure things out.
Ford Cooper (09:20):
Yeah.
I think I have a, natural curiosity.
I like asking questions, you know?
Larry (09:24):
Yeah.
So
when asking these questions, did you askyourself questions in order to write songs
or how did you start to write lyrics?
How did that come about?
Ford Cooper (09:32):
Hmm.
I think lyrics just kind of came.
I wanted to write songs and I figuredthere needs to be lyrics and a singer
So, I mean, for real, that kind of
got me going that way.
And as I started writing lyrics,I kind of grew an appreciation
for that craft of music.
That's a whole thing, you know?
Mm-hmm.
That's kind of separate from beingan instrumentalist player, you know?
(09:53):
being a writer.
I think they're as equallychallenging, but they have a
different set of challenges.
Right.
Larry (10:00):
Right.
Ford Cooper (10:00):
So yeah, I think it was just kind of by default, you know, I
didn't like set out to be a writer.
You know what I mean?
Larry (10:07):
Yeah.
so you moved to Nashville.
Had you recorded any music ever before?
Ford Cooper (10:11):
No, mean like on a phone, but, nothing in like a studio setting.
Larry (10:16):
I mean, folks we're sitting here, this Cat has a team!
There's a manager, there's apublicist, a whole thing going on.
There's producer, Rob Levineproduced your new stuff.
You have a new, a wonderful guy,a new song that, you've performed.
It's called "All I Ever Say",and I was digging into this.
Part of the reason that we're heretoday is because, you've been diagnosed
(10:37):
with ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Let's talk about that just a little bit.
What is that like for you?
What is ASD to you?
Ford Cooper (10:45):
What's it like?
Well, it didn't mean much atall 'cause it's just what was
just normal to me, you know?
And, um, I didn't even reallyhave an awareness of it,
until probably outta college.
It wasn't something I,
had an awareness of when Iwas a little kid growing up.
It was just, uh,
you know,
I didn't think about it.
It was just normal to me.
Larry (11:04):
So there was no distinction here that there is something
different or something wrong,quote unquote or something...
Ford Cooper (11:09):
Well, no, I'm sorry, what were you saying?
Larry (11:12):
You said that you grew up
You didn't think about itas in you lived your life,
So somebody told you or something happenedthat, triggered a moment where there's
like, Hey, we need to talk about this.
There's something a littleaskew here, something maybe
different from the next kid.
Something that we need to investigateand look at, which gives somebody
pause because then you have to say,well, is there something wrong with me?
(11:34):
What was that like?
I mean, when was this inyour evolution of life?
Ford Cooper (11:39):
When I first started kind of having awareness of it
and I heard those words, uh,
you
know, different or, quirky,it really angered me.
It kind of frustrated me,'cause it, was like, well,
what's wrong with what I think?
You know?
I wouldn't say that to somebody.
Everybody's just livingtheir life, you know?
But now it, it don't, it'sjust who I am, you know?
Larry (12:00):
But what were those things?
What was said to you, ifyou don't mind me asking?
Ford Cooper (12:03):
Oh, I can't recall exactly everything.
But, yeah, I think it was just kindof when I was getting outta school, I
finally had some time to kind of think.
I had a pretty intense athletic schedulein high school and, you know, I played
college athletics, so every day waspretty scheduled and structured.
Mm-hmm.
And it was usually onto the next thing.
But then when I kind of stoppedplaying that I had some time for
(12:26):
some introspective thought and
reflect and kind of understandwhy do I feel what I feel.
And it led me to some,
like
finding some answers, you know, formyself, just for my own clarity.
Larry (12:39):
So let's just back up here a little bit.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is acomplex, developmental condition
involving persistent challenges withsocial communication, restricted
interests, and repetitive behavior.
Common signs of Autism in adults include;and I don't know if this pertains to
you at all, but (12:56):
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking
or feeling, getting very anxious aboutsocial situations, finding it hard to
make friends or preferring to be onyour own, seeming blunt, rude, or not
interested in others without meaning to,and, finding it hard to say how you feel.
Again, I Google this and soI'm sure there's so much more.
(13:17):
I know there's much more, but whenI read this, a lot of these are me.
A lot of these are me.
I, I absolutely, I can't understandwhat anybody's thinking or feeling.
Really, I'm anxious all the time.
I'm very blunt.
I have trouble sort of wading thewater sometimes because I'm similar.
When I was reading yourstory, I saw a lot of myself,
Ford Cooper (13:40):
oh.
well Yeah,
Larry (13:41):
Because we're not all so different.
You know, you're a a kid,
you're living your life,
Ford Cooper (13:46):
I was
figuring it out.
Larry (13:48):
Figuring it out.
But a lot of people don't decide,I need to figure something
out.
What
age were you?
Ford Cooper (13:52):
Like about themselves?
Larry (13:53):
Yeah,
that's a deep dive man, intoyour own human beingness.
What age did you start to justsort of scratch the surface?
How old were you when you werelike, asking these questions?
Ford Cooper (14:06):
I'd probably say 20...21..
A couple years ago.
Larry (14:08):
Wow!
How do you feel about that?
Do you feel freer?
Do you feel like you knowyourself a little better?
Ford Cooper (14:14):
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
I think I know what my daily needs are,and I don't mind being, stern on 'em.
'Cause I know if I don't meet those,then I'll might suffer some negative,
emotions, you know?
And I'm try to avoid those.
Larry (14:29):
Can you give me an example of what those daily needs are?
Ford Cooper (14:32):
Well I like to, get exercise in, that really
helps my mental clarity a lot.
Some sort of creative outlet.
And probably maintaining myrelationships with people that I
really care and love, you know?
Larry (14:45):
Staying connected.
Yeah, staying tethered.
Ford Cooper (14:47):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I, and I'm certainly not anunderdog or anything with this stuff.
it's just who I am, you know?
Larry (14:54):
There's a lot of people that feel underdog.
One of my questions werelike, how do you feel?
Do you feel marginalized in any way?
Ford Cooper (15:01):
No.
No, no,
Larry (15:02):
Cause a lot of people do, a lot of people are told
there's something wrong with you.
Ford Cooper (15:07):
I relate.
I feel that, but I don't personallyfeel that, I just got what I got.
Larry (15:12):
Well that's a wonderful way of, putting it, you know?
'Cause I remember being a kid inschool and we were all reading, right?
When you're done reading, look up.
And I just kept kind of peeking upand everybody kept looking up and I
wasn't anywhere near done reading.
And to this day, I do not know ifthe teacher said this or I said it.
But I came out of that momentand I was in elementary school
(15:35):
as "Larry is a slow reader."
Ford Cooper (15:38):
Yeah.
Larry (15:38):
I don't know if the teacher said that or if I said that, and that lived
with me to this day that lives with
me.
So the fact that you're notcrucifying yourself over being
quirky, like you saidearlier, or just having
a different need.
It's a, it's a need, you know?
We put the words Special Needs outthere, like you have needs that
(16:00):
are special because you, are you.
You are special to your own self.
You have to care for yourself.
So the fact that you have, boundaries,I would say, do you have boundaries?
That, okay, you're in a situationand you just mentioned a little while
ago about emotions that come up andyou don't want maybe deal with them.
Do you have a sort of like a wall thatjust comes right up if something happens?
(16:22):
It's a loaded question.
Ford Cooper (16:23):
Well, I do.
But that's something I've had towork on, because I've done that to
people who are trying to help me.
You know what I mean?
You put that wall up and then, like Ithought that would help me, but it didn't.
It just backed me into a cornerand these are people that you
know, and I'm not saying nothing.
I have boundaries.
Larry (16:42):
Well, yeah, you can finish your thought.
Yeah, backed you in the corner.
It's
Ford Cooper (16:44):
That was on me.
You know what I mean?
Larry (16:46):
Well, yeah, that's my point, is that you're able to say, That Was On Me.
Because a lot of times you getbacked in the corner, you spend more
time saying It's them, them, them.
Ford Cooper (16:55):
I I don't, I don't do that.
You know?
what I mean?
Yeah.
Larry (16:58):
So you're able to take responsibility?
Ford Cooper (17:00):
Yeah, yeah.
Larry (17:01):
Great.
That's fantastic.
So let's get into your lyrics here.
the song, "All I Ever Say",it's a fantastic song.
Ford Cooper (17:07):
Well, thenk you.
Larry (17:08):
You're welcome.
you wrote it yourself?
Ford Cooper (17:10):
Mm-hmm.
Larry (17:10):
And produced by Rob Levine.
It's an EP that came out, May of 2024.
You had songs called "Whatcha Zoin".
Ford Cooper (17:18):
That's the one
Larry (17:19):
Right?
With Ellie Allen.
That's a cool song.
Ford Cooper (17:20):
Shout out Ellie.
Larry (17:21):
And then a song called "Wishes".
Ford Cooper (17:23):
Mm-hmm.
Larry (17:24):
So, I love this song, "All I Ever Say", it's a smooth soul song.
I mean, you are as vulnerable as asongwriter could be, and thank you
for that.
Ford Cooper (17:31):
Oh man.
Larry (17:32):
So let's read, okay?
The lyric is, "Yeah, I could saywhat's on my brain, but my friends will
think I'm insane, so I'll be quiet.
It's all the same.
Ain't it Strange, Ain't it Strange?"
Ford Cooper (17:42):
Yeah.
Larry (17:42):
That's happened to all of us, my friend.
Right?
And you're putting it into song forthose of us to say, Wow, I'm Not Alone.
Ford Cooper (17:50):
Yeah.
Larry (17:50):
And you go on to say, I could talk through my mouth.
Let the words pour on out.
But every time I try to say whatI think, I get told that it's
not the time nor place, so Ijust sit there and I overthink".
Do you spend a lot of timeup in the head office?
Ford Cooper (18:06):
Like in my head?
Yeah.
Larry (18:09):
The head office gets full and we stay up there for long time.
Ford Cooper (18:12):
Yeah, It can get a little chaotic and cluttered,
but, I think I, I've gotten a lotbetter since that, but yeah, sure.
I definitely still feel that.
you know,
Larry (18:19):
When you say better,
Ford Cooper (18:20):
Yeah.
Larry (18:20):
Is there better?
Is there worse?
I just think it's all,just being a human being.
You're expressing yourself.
Where did this song come from?
You're expressing somethingthat these are feelings.
You have feelings andthoughts that you want to get
out, but you've tended toin the past, keep them in.
What we want is to Be Seen and toBe Heard And this sounds like that.
So how did this song come about?
Ford Cooper (18:41):
Well, the song came about, fairly quickly.
I just sat down and I had amusical motif that I really
enjoyed and, had a groove to it.
The lyrics just kind of came out.
there was no, like, I wasn'ttrying to have a message or any
thing with
the song.
It was purely just me kind of venting, you
know?
Larry (19:01):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Ford Cooper (19:02):
It was kind of for myself in a way.
You know, I was just trying towrite down my thoughts and what I
was going through that day, but,it kind of turned out relatable.
Yeah.
But that wasn't the intention and I thinkthat's why it came out that way, you know?
Larry (19:14):
You weren't intending to
Ford Cooper (19:15):
Not at all.
Not at all.
Larry (19:16):
Teach us anything.
Ford Cooper (19:17):
Not at all.
No no no.
Larry (19:18):
Did that open your eyes and your heart to something
that's very precious as an artist.
Ford Cooper (19:23):
Oh, Good question.
Larry (19:24):
As an artist.
I think we try so hard.
We're performing, we're pleasing, we'reproving, We put it out there, right?
Put the nice shirt on, get hair nice.
Make you look good,as much as sound good.
I And a lot of times we have, um,gimmicks, the list goes on and on.
But the bottom line is you werenot trying to teach me something,
(19:46):
and what you did was by beingauthentic, you showed me something.
Ford Cooper (19:51):
Oh man, that's, thank you.
That's really kind.
Larry (19:54):
Yeah.
Well, thank you.
You were honest.
It goes on.
Your lyric, the third stanza:
"Who cares what I got to say?
Who would listen anyways,I'm gonna find high.
I'm gonna numb the pain."
I'm, gonna, get high, numb the pain.
I'm paraphrasing your own song here.
Right?
Right.
"Use and abuse it every day.
Ain't It Strange?
Ain't It Strange?"
Do you numb the pain?
Ford Cooper (20:15):
No, I don't drink.
No, I
Larry (20:17):
I quit drinking about three years ago.
It'll three years forme in about two weeks.
But I numbed my pain.
A lifetime of numbing.
Drug use and alcohol abuse.
And I was curious, do you numb thepain, but you don't have to numb
the pain with alcohol or drugs?
Do you numb your pain, with anything thatyou might wanna share with us right now?
I mean, Sometimes it'sfood, sometimes it's sex.
Sometimes it's juststaying alone, being angry.
(20:38):
I don't know.
Ford Cooper (20:39):
No.
nothing, nothing like that.
No hard narcotics or anything like that.
no.
Larry (20:44):
But I mean, how would you say that you numb your pain?
We all have a way of numbing pain.
Ford Cooper (20:49):
Well,
probably through, you know,
the creative outlet of music.
And
As mentioned, exercising helps.
Larry (20:58):
You're not kidding, man.
Ford Cooper (20:59):
That really helps.
Larry (21:00):
One of my questions was, do you take care of yourself?
And I can see that you do.
When you drove past mecoming in here, I saw a
very,
very good looking Cat, hishair flowing of the car.
Oh
I was like,
Ford Cooper (21:12):
Brother Love, baby.
Larry (21:13):
Man, I get to interview this Adonis?
Ford Cooper (21:15):
This Adonis.
Larry (21:16):
This is cool, You look and feel like you take care of yourself
and you've mentioned a few times, andyou say it so, easily and I'm hearing
it easily, 'cause I'm the same way.
If I don't work out, take careof my body, whatever that means.
If I don't move my body, I get real stuck
man.
Ford Cooper (21:31):
Man, I'm with you on that.
Larry (21:33):
And I get real depressed.
And I get real, real dark.
And then, I'm abusing myself andI'm abusing my loved ones around me.
And my wife is like,what is wrong with you?
Why are you such a maniac?
And I realized because Ihaven't gotten out of my head.
Ford Cooper (21:49):
Yeah.
It goes deep.
Larry (21:50):
It goes deep.
Do you have a regimen in yourlife that you keep to daily?
I We touched upon this earlier, doyou have a set schedule of every
day that you try to adhere towhen it comes to a routine to keep
you sane and happy and healthy?
Ford Cooper (22:05):
Oh yeah.
I mean, sometimes yougotta, I gotta adjust it.
But yeah, I ride out my days andI like to keep it structured.
helps
helps me just keep moving.
Keep feeling purposeful,productive and happy.
You know, I enjoy
the things I do.
It's not a chore.
Larry (22:21):
That's Beautiful!
Good you.
" I enjoy the things I do".
Ford Cooper (22:23):
Yeah, it keeps me happy.
You know what I mean?
Larry (22:25):
Would say you're a happy person?
Ford Cooper (22:27):
Yeah, I think so.
Larry (22:28):
That's
great!
A lot people, that's a hard question.
So you take care of yourself, Ireally appreciate that about you.
Do you have your people here in Nashville?
You have a community here?
Like you're here, what,how many years now?
Ford Cooper (22:41):
Two and a Half.
Larry (22:42):
How do you about having your people around you?
Do you have a community of peoplethat you trust, that you really,
really, really, call family?
Ford Cooper (22:49):
Oh Yeah.
I got my team of people that
help.
They're amazing.
Just
being in Nashville, there'sso many people I've ran into.
I think the Community and Cultureof Nashville is really supportive.
It's been, to me at least.
Larry (23:00):
It's incredible, isn't it?
Ford Cooper (23:01):
Yeah.
it's it's inspiring.
There's so much worldwide talentand, I'm grateful to be a part of it.
Larry (23:07):
That's so cool.
Yeah.
That's great.
So, as far as messaging goes,what would your message be?
Like, "I'm Ford Cooper, I'm a musician.
and my message throughmy music would be...?
Hmm.
What would that be?
Ford Cooper (23:20):
I don't think I have a message.
I think what I try and do isjust come off really authentic.
And being really original with thesounds and, just purposeful with
what I'm writing and performing.
Like I kind of said with "All IEver Say", I I don't really try and
save the world or write a message.
I just write how I'm feelingand, hope it sticks, you know?
Larry (23:40):
That's
fantastic.
Do you write a lot?
Are you writing a
lot
of music?
Ford Cooper (23:44):
Oh, Yeah.
Yeah, every every day.
Larry (23:45):
Every day?
Ford Cooper (23:46):
Yeah.
Larry (23:46):
Nice.
So what's, coming up for you?
This EP was last year, so we're raisingsome awareness with "All I Ever Say".
I mean, I, do appreciate it, you know?
What you're saying is,
this something that's happeningwith me, and I'm all right.
I have people around me that I trust.
And you trust in yourselfclearly, and you sound wonderful.
Ford Cooper (24:04):
Thank you.
Larry (24:05):
Which is great.
So as far as the Autism, as far as,Community, as far as raising awareness,
you know, do you have any messaging?
Because there's,
people out there that really feel alone.
That haven't been struck withthe strength that you have, which
is, taking care of yourself.
You're being very mindful of yourselfand that's an important thing.
So do you have a, message at all?
(24:25):
And, You don't have to bea Wise Sage or anything,
you said it before, but,
Ford Cooper (24:28):
Well, the thing I'm proud of with a song specifically, like "All
I Ever Say" is, It kind of disintegratesany ignorance about the subject matter.
'Cause I've had encounters with peoplelike that where I thought they were
one way, but then I learned that theymight have, a condition or something.
And then I go like, oh, and I learn a lot.
It, increases my empathy andsympathy for that person,
(24:49):
'cause I understand them now.
You know, so I, think that'ssomething I'm proud of with that song.
That was like a byproductafter the song was done.
It wasn't at all intentional.
Larry (24:59):
Right, and that's clear, by the way.
Ford Cooper (25:01):
But I, think that if there is a message that might
be one, just, "Hey, you neverknow what they're going through."
Larry (25:07):
You never know what anybody's going through.
That's so insightful.
I think that's fantastic.
So you've got some shows coming up.
What's happening?
Talk
to me.
Ford Cooper (25:14):
We got one July 5th.
Larry (25:17):
July 5th, at the OG Basement.
Ford Cooper (25:19):
OG Basement.
Larry (25:20):
You're headlining, correct?
Ford Cooper (25:22):
Yeah.
Larry (25:22):
I believe you are, I've read correctly.
Yeah.
Are you excited?
Ford Cooper (25:26):
Very, I Love it, Love it.
Larry (25:28):
What does your band consist of?
Ford Cooper (25:29):
I'm on keyboards and singing.
Mm-hmm.
I have a background vocalist, anorganist, a bass player, a drummer,
and a guitarist, and that's kind ofthe blueprint for the sound, you know?
Larry (25:41):
Yeah!
That's fantastic.
I love every minute of it.
There's a quote from Martha Graham,who was a, American Modern Dancer and
Choreographer, and she said this toAgnes de Mille, who also was a, Dancer.
Quote, "There is avitality, a life force...
that is translated through youinto action, and because there
is only one of you, in all oftime, this expression is unique.
(26:03):
And if you block it, it willnever exist through any other
medium and it will be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determinehow good it is nor how valuable nor
how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keepit yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open."
Now, when I was looking you up and lookingyou down, this quote came to me because
(26:27):
you seem like you have a strength inyou, you have a vitality, you have a
life force, and there's only one of you.
And I know you're finding your wayjust like we all are, but I wanna
say from one artist to another, thankyou for sharing your journey with
us.
Ford Cooper (26:42):
Yeah.
Larry (26:43):
You know, because it's not easy thing to do.
You're a few hours from where you grew up.
You have a life in Nashville, Tennessee.
You're writing songs, you're doingall the things that need to happen.
And, you're sharing your storywith all of us, and I really
appreciate it very, very much.
Ford Cooper (26:57):
Yeah man.
Yeah.
Larry (26:58):
I got a questions for you now.
these are my rapid fire at the end
questions.
You feeling okay?
Ford Cooper (27:03):
I'm feeling great.
Larry (27:04):
Good.
Great.
Okay.
What fascinates you?
Like these days, likewhat's fascinating to you?
Ford Cooper (27:10):
In relation to music?
Larry (27:11):
In relation to anything.
What's fascinating to you?
Ford Cooper (27:16):
Oh, man.
Larry (27:17):
Take your time.
Ford Cooper (27:18):
Happiness
Larry (27:20):
Happiness is fascinating.
Why is that?
Ford Cooper (27:23):
I don't know.
Life's, we need it, you know?
So it's a good thing to study.
Larry (27:27):
That's great.
I love it!
That's fantastic.
All right, well let'stake it the opposite.
What angers you?
What, pisses you off?
Ford Cooper (27:33):
Myself.
Larry (27:36):
Oh gosh.
Why is that?
Ford Cooper (27:38):
Well, I say that jokingly.
Larry (27:41):
Well, hey, me too, by the way.
Ford Cooper (27:43):
I get flustered with myself.
I don't know.
I try not to let, I'm really blessed, man.
Yeah.
I count my blessings more than the thingsthat maybe I wish I had or, things.
You know, I try and practice gratitude.
Larry (27:55):
That's great.
Well,
practicing gratitude and beinggratitude are two different things.
Ford Cooper (27:59):
Being gratuitous.
Yeah.
Larry (28:00):
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Well, now that you'resmiling, What brings you joy?
Ford Cooper (28:04):
Oh, uh,
Larry (28:05):
Like pure joy, like wow.
Ford Cooper (28:07):
Just waking up.
Yeah.
Getting up, Man.
My family, music, my health.
I'm blessed.
Larry (28:12):
If you had a magic wand and you could fix Anything
In The World, Ford Cooper,
You go BOP!
It's fixed.
It's done.
You're welcome.
What would that be?
Ford Cooper (28:22):
I'm gonna think on that one.
Larry (28:23):
Yeah, take your time.
Ford Cooper (28:25):
I don't know, I think everybody just has
such individualized problems.
I guess I, yeah, I would hope to takeaway everyone's problems my, magic wand.
I would just spread more love.
Larry (28:34):
Yeah.
Well here's to that.
Thank you so much.
Fort Cooper, how do we find you?
Ford Cooper (28:38):
On Instagram, it's Ford Cooper Music, Spotify, and all platforms
where there's music It's Ford Cooper.
Ford Cooper Official is my website,and that's a good place to find me.
Larry (28:49):
Well find Ford Cooper.
You will be happy that you did, because hebrings joy and authenticity to his music
and into your ears and into your heart.
Well, thank you for being here.
Ford Cooper (28:59):
Thank you for having me man.
Larry (29:00):
Yeah, absolutely.
Ladies and gentlemen, Ford Cooper onthe Just Keep Talking Podcast with me,
Brother Love, Because Your Story Matters.
You know, we need to Be Seen, to BeHeard, and to feel like we Really Belong.
Thank you for taking me in and, makingme feel Seen, and Heard, and like,
I Belong here with you right now.
I really appreciate it.
None of this is easy.
And it's just wonderful to be ableto share our stories because there
(29:21):
are people sitting around thinking,you know, I wanna do what Ford does.
How do I do that?
And I know somebody's listening, andthey're gonna have a few answers.
Ford's magic wand is gonna make allyour, Joy come into your life, right?
Yeah.
Ford Cooper (29:36):
I don't know about that.
Larry (29:38):
We'll do our best.
Well, thanks so much for tuning into the Just Keep Talking Podcast.
My name is Brother Love, and untilnext time, we'll see you soon.
Telling our stories is the connective tissue of the
collective human experience.
The Just Keep Talking Podcast delvesinto the lives and stories of artists.
What is the impact ofmental health on creativity?
What does it mean to bea creative individual?
Someone who feels deeply,experiences joy and pain intensely
and navigates the challenges oflife through the creative process.
(00:21):
With each story shared, we explore theauthentic experience of our basic need
to Be Seen, to Be Heard, and to Belong.
We are really not so differentfrom one another, nor are we alone.
Together we can inspire, encourage, andenlighten each other to find the true joy
and fulfillment that is within ourselves.
When we Just Keep Talking, we create thespace for gratitude, self-acceptance,
(00:46):
and grace in everyday life.
In a world filled with divisiveness,fostering inclusivity and connection is
a powerful way to make a positive impact.
The Just Keep Talking Podcast with me,Brother Love, because Your Story Matters.
Larry (01:02):
Hello and welcome to the Just Keep Talking Podcast with me, Brother
Love, because Your Story Matters.
I am here today with Ford Cooper.
Hello sir.
Ford Cooper (01:12):
How You Doin'?
Larry (01:13):
Singer songwriter, piano player, guitar player, multi instrumentalist.
Lemme just read some things that are true.
Ford Cooper, born and raisedin Clarksville, Tennessee.
You are an emerging 23-year-old musicianwhose soulful melodies and introspective
lyrics resonate with audiences worldwide.
Is that true?
Ford Cooper (01:32):
We're getting there.
We're getting there.
Yeah.
Larry (01:34):
So your influences are from the nineties grunge to
smooth rhythms of neo soul.
Your musical journey is a testamentto the transformative power of music.
I'm still reading here.
Ford's musical Odyssey began at the ageof 15 when he first picked up a guitar.
Drawn to the raw energy andemotional depth of Nirvana, Pearl
Jam, and the Red Hot Chili peppers,
(01:54):
it was authenticity of thesebands that ignited his personal
desire to become a musician.
As his musical horizons expanded,Ford's journey took a pivotal turn
when he discovered Jimi Hendrix.
Oh, yes, sir.
He was intrigued by Hendrix'sVirtuoso guitar playing and innovative
approach to blend blues rock, and
R & B.
(02:15):
Ford dove even deeper into the richtapestry of musical genres, highlighting
the soulful sounds of artists likeMarvin Gaye, D'Angelo and Erykah Badu.
This allowed him, you, to craftyour own unique sound, blending a
fusion of smooth grooves, heartfeltlyrics, and infectious melodies.
Ford It's nice to have you here.
Ford Cooper (02:36):
Thank you for having me.
Larry (02:37):
I appreciate you putting this together on your site.
It's fantastic.
Let's dig a little bit deeper.
How long have you lived in Nashville?
Ford Cooper (02:44):
About two and a half years.
Coming up on three.
Larry (02:48):
So what brought you here?
What brought you to Nashville, Tennessee?
Ford Cooper (02:51):
The music scene.
Yeah, I guess really wantedto be a professional musician.
I didn't know what that meant at thetime, but, Nashville's a cool town.
That's super inspiring.
I love the culture.
Larry (03:03):
Yeah.
So you're not from, very far from here.
What was the scene like growing up?
Was there music in your house growing up?
What were you listeningto as a kid, your parents?
What was it like?
Ford Cooper (03:12):
I didn't really play a lot of music as a kid.
I played a lot of sports.
I picked up guitar around 15 or 16,and that was kind of when I started,
really studying and putting in alot of hours and practice on it.
My dad loves Van Halen, the Eagleskind of old classic rock stuff.
He's got great music taste and mymom likes a lot of the grunge stuff.
So we had an eclectic mixgoing on in the house.
(03:35):
They've been supersupportive and encouraging.
Larry (03:38):
They are supportive and encouraging.
Ford Cooper (03:39):
Oh, they're wonderful.
Larry (03:40):
That's fantastic.
My parents, I'm a little olderthan you are by about 30 years.
You know, my
father to this day, my father,
Ford Cooper (03:46):
You look great, bro.
Larry (03:47):
Thank you.
To this day.
My father's like, I don't
understand your business.
I'm like, like neither do I.
Neither does anybody.
I'm threatening him to go
back to School.
Ford Cooper (03:55):
Still figuring it out.
Larry (03:56):
Yeah.
like, He's
like, know could go back to school.
I'm gonna be like, you know what dad?
I'm going to NYU.
How that?
How about
that?
What a good time we'll have!
A little expensive, don't you think?
But you're an artist.
You're a creative, and your parentssupport that, and that's fantastic.
And I, I'm very happyto hear that for you.
Ford Cooper (04:13):
Well, I've been blessed.
Larry (04:14):
And so, do they play instruments at all, either of your parents?
Ford Cooper (04:17):
No, not a
ton.
My dad will strum a guitar everynow and then, they got great ears.
They love listening.
Larry (04:23):
Isn't that the greatest gift?
Ford Cooper (04:25):
Oh Yeah.
Larry (04:25):
Don't you think listening is the, true form of the gift
that is the greatest of all gifts?
Ford Cooper (04:30):
Oh, yeah.
That's where, that helps me see thepictures, like taking it in seeing it.
You know?
Yeah.
And Listening.
Larry (04:37):
What do you mean taking it and seeing it?
Seeing the pictures?
Where you're listening to the pictures?
Ford Cooper (04:41):
Yeah.
I think that's the music.
I mean, everyone you kind of, listed,they all had like an atmosphere
that I really enjoyed early on.
I didn't play very well whenI was listening to him, So it
was, it was brand new, you know?
And now I can kind of play some ofthose songs, so some of the secrets
have been unlocked, Yeah, I thinkthat's the music I enjoy the most.
Is that it's
like all encompassing.
Larry (05:01):
Yeah.
I love that about, the Beatles,Paul McCartney, to me was
able to paint a picture.
Ford Cooper (05:06):
Yeah.
The story.
Larry (05:07):
He really painted a
story.
And you're in the story!
Ford Cooper (05:10):
The characters, there's dialogue, there's plot.
Climax.
Larry (05:14):
John was, he was the emotional writer that was like, Hey, is it okay
if I just tell you all how I'm feeling?
We were like, yes!!!
Ford Cooper (05:21):
Yeah.
Larry (05:21):
Now Paul did the same thing in a different way, I always find these
things so fascinating I'm a musician, Igrew up playing drums and I wrote songs
and I was singing harmonies in the band.
And, I always enjoyed composingmusic, but listening and
hearing lyrics was hard for me.
Ford Cooper (05:38):
I relate to that.
Yeah.
Larry (05:39):
Because I could feel the music.
I could just see myself in that picture.
And I was afraid to say,what are my emotions?
'Cause in my mind I wasthinking, who cares?
Right?
Ford Cooper (05:50):
Word.
Larry (05:50):
So what do you gravitate towards when you hear songs?
Starting out, what was the thing?
Was it the lyric?
Was it the sound?
I mean, it could have been allof the above, but something
must have grabbed you.
What grabbed you when you were younger?
That really just spoke to you?
Ford Cooper (06:03):
Oh man, I loved that.
Uh, music was somethingthat I could study.
There wasn't like adefinitive winner and loser.
It was kind of like up to myselfand hearing myself get better.
I love that.
And, one of the guys that wasreally inspired was, Billy Joel.
'Cause hearing his songs, theysounded like a scene of a movie.
And I'd never been to New York,but I was like, that's probably
what New York sounds like.
Larry (06:25):
You could taste New York City in Billy Joel's songs.
I'm from, from New York City.
Right.
And he hid it on the head.
He really, truly, truly hit it on thehead, and I'm so appreciative for that.
My wife is from New Jersey,so she's Springsteen, right?
She's from Asbury Park.
And I'll tell you people really,they put Billy Joel down over there.
They say,
Ford Cooper (06:44):
They're not a fan?
Larry (06:45):
I'm like, why can't we love both?
Then you got New Yorkers arelike, yeah, Billy Joel, oh, we
don't Springsteen.
And by, the end of the day, they'reall at the same concert, loving Billy
Joel or loving Bruce Springsteen.
So, when did you decide that youwere gonna try this to like, okay,
so I like hearing this, whether itwas the Nineties Grunge stuff or the
more smooth R & B stuff, but thatsomething must have clicked where you're
(07:07):
like, well, lemme give this a shot.
Yeah.
What was that like for you?
When did that happen?
Ford Cooper (07:11):
I didn't learn a lot of songs, when I first started playing,
I was more interested in the theoryand the study of the instrument.
So when I was learning guitar, I, wasway more interested in chords, the
inversions of 'em, 'cause I wantedto understand what I was playing.
I didn't want to just play it.
My thought was, well, if Iknow a bunch of chords, I can
probably play a lot of songs.
then I started kind of picking apart
(07:32):
the guitar parts to thesongs I really liked.
And that kind of helped me understandmusic a little more, not just from
a textbook point of view, you know?
Larry (07:39):
So you learned how to play chords you know, how to read music.
Ford Cooper (07:42):
Nah, I can read a chord chart.
Not, classical sheet music, but.
Learning the numbers systemand like the theory I think
really progressed my playing.
Larry (07:51):
Wow.
The number system
Ford Cooper (07:53):
Is
Gorgeous.
I love that.
Larry (07:54):
Explain what the numbers system is, you're a player
to, our audience
who doesn't understand.
Ford Cooper (07:59):
Well, I hope I explained this well.
Larry (08:01):
You're You're gonna explain
it better than me, I promise.
Ford Cooper (08:04):
In music, every song has a key.
Every key has notes How many notes?
Is it 12 notes?
Is there more than that?
Larry (08:10):
Last I heard?
12 notes.
Ford Cooper (08:12):
So then you can like put numbers on 'em so it's easy to
transcribe the song to a different key.
So If you're playing withdifferent singers, it makes
it a little more accessible.
Was that good?
is that okay?
Larry (08:21):
That's great.
No, 'cause when I moved hereand people would give charts and
people from
Ford Cooper (08:26):
It me a minute.
Yeah.
I had to really.
Study.
it.
Yeah.
Larry (08:29):
We were like, what the heck is this?
Ford Cooper (08:30):
Yeah, I didn't know.
Larry (08:31):
Meanwhile, you still have people now who are sending real notated
charts down from let's say, New Yorkor LA or wherever Oklahoma, And it's
actually the whole song written out.
So the number system is a wonderfulway, so that, like you said, you
can get on stage if I'm the singerand you're used to playing this
song in A, but I need this in
G, No problem.
Ford Cooper (08:53):
I can drop it down.
Larry (08:54):
Drop it down.
Yeah.
I think that's fantastic becauseas a kid I studied drums.
I ran home after school and crammedeverything in really, really
fast and kind of learned it.
And I didn't really study it as well or asmuch as you did, which I think is really
amazing because a lot of people get intothings for different reasons, but you
wanted to know what makes music work?
Ford Cooper (09:13):
Yeah.
A hundred percent.
Larry (09:14):
That's sort of your "MO", right?
I think you seem like somebody who digs ina little bit deeper to figure things out.
Ford Cooper (09:20):
Yeah.
I think I have a, natural curiosity.
I like asking questions, you know?
Larry (09:24):
Yeah.
So
when asking these questions, did you askyourself questions in order to write songs
or how did you start to write lyrics?
How did that come about?
Ford Cooper (09:32):
Hmm.
I think lyrics just kind of came.
I wanted to write songs and I figuredthere needs to be lyrics and a singer
So, I mean, for real, that kind of
got me going that way.
And as I started writing lyrics,I kind of grew an appreciation
for that craft of music.
That's a whole thing, you know?
Mm-hmm.
That's kind of separate from beingan instrumentalist player, you know?
(09:53):
being a writer.
I think they're as equallychallenging, but they have a
different set of challenges.
Right.
Larry (10:00):
Right.
Ford Cooper (10:00):
So yeah, I think it was just kind of by default, you know, I
didn't like set out to be a writer.
You know what I mean?
Larry (10:07):
Yeah.
so you moved to Nashville.
Had you recorded any music ever before?
Ford Cooper (10:11):
No, mean like on a phone, but, nothing in like a studio setting.
Larry (10:16):
I mean, folks we're sitting here, this Cat has a team!
There's a manager, there's apublicist, a whole thing going on.
There's producer, Rob Levineproduced your new stuff.
You have a new, a wonderful guy,a new song that, you've performed.
It's called "All I Ever Say",and I was digging into this.
Part of the reason that we're heretoday is because, you've been diagnosed
(10:37):
with ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Let's talk about that just a little bit.
What is that like for you?
What is ASD to you?
Ford Cooper (10:45):
What's it like?
Well, it didn't mean much atall 'cause it's just what was
just normal to me, you know?
And, um, I didn't even reallyhave an awareness of it,
until probably outta college.
It wasn't something I,
had an awareness of when Iwas a little kid growing up.
It was just, uh,
you know,
I didn't think about it.
It was just normal to me.
Larry (11:04):
So there was no distinction here that there is something
different or something wrong,quote unquote or something...
Ford Cooper (11:09):
Well, no, I'm sorry, what were you saying?
Larry (11:12):
You said that you grew up
You didn't think about itas in you lived your life,
So somebody told you or something happenedthat, triggered a moment where there's
like, Hey, we need to talk about this.
There's something a littleaskew here, something maybe
different from the next kid.
Something that we need to investigateand look at, which gives somebody
pause because then you have to say,well, is there something wrong with me?
(11:34):
What was that like?
I mean, when was this inyour evolution of life?
Ford Cooper (11:39):
When I first started kind of having awareness of it
and I heard those words, uh,
you
know, different or, quirky,it really angered me.
It kind of frustrated me,'cause it, was like, well,
what's wrong with what I think?
You know?
I wouldn't say that to somebody.
Everybody's just livingtheir life, you know?
But now it, it don't, it'sjust who I am, you know?
Larry (12:00):
But what were those things?
What was said to you, ifyou don't mind me asking?
Ford Cooper (12:03):
Oh, I can't recall exactly everything.
But, yeah, I think it was just kindof when I was getting outta school, I
finally had some time to kind of think.
I had a pretty intense athletic schedulein high school and, you know, I played
college athletics, so every day waspretty scheduled and structured.
Mm-hmm.
And it was usually onto the next thing.
But then when I kind of stoppedplaying that I had some time for
(12:26):
some introspective thought and
reflect and kind of understandwhy do I feel what I feel.
And it led me to some,
like
finding some answers, you know, formyself, just for my own clarity.
Larry (12:39):
So let's just back up here a little bit.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is acomplex, developmental condition
involving persistent challenges withsocial communication, restricted
interests, and repetitive behavior.
Common signs of Autism in adults include;and I don't know if this pertains to
you at all, but (12:56):
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking
or feeling, getting very anxious aboutsocial situations, finding it hard to
make friends or preferring to be onyour own, seeming blunt, rude, or not
interested in others without meaning to,and, finding it hard to say how you feel.
Again, I Google this and soI'm sure there's so much more.
(13:17):
I know there's much more, but whenI read this, a lot of these are me.
A lot of these are me.
I, I absolutely, I can't understandwhat anybody's thinking or feeling.
Really, I'm anxious all the time.
I'm very blunt.
I have trouble sort of wading thewater sometimes because I'm similar.
When I was reading yourstory, I saw a lot of myself,
Ford Cooper (13:40):
oh.
well Yeah,
Larry (13:41):
Because we're not all so different.
You know, you're a a kid,
you're living your life,
Ford Cooper (13:46):
I was
figuring it out.
Larry (13:48):
Figuring it out.
But a lot of people don't decide,I need to figure something
out.
What
age were you?
Ford Cooper (13:52):
Like about themselves?
Larry (13:53):
Yeah,
that's a deep dive man, intoyour own human beingness.
What age did you start to justsort of scratch the surface?
How old were you when you werelike, asking these questions?
Ford Cooper (14:06):
I'd probably say 20...21..
A couple years ago.
Larry (14:08):
Wow!
How do you feel about that?
Do you feel freer?
Do you feel like you knowyourself a little better?
Ford Cooper (14:14):
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
I think I know what my daily needs are,and I don't mind being, stern on 'em.
'Cause I know if I don't meet those,then I'll might suffer some negative,
emotions, you know?
And I'm try to avoid those.
Larry (14:29):
Can you give me an example of what those daily needs are?
Ford Cooper (14:32):
Well I like to, get exercise in, that really
helps my mental clarity a lot.
Some sort of creative outlet.
And probably maintaining myrelationships with people that I
really care and love, you know?
Larry (14:45):
Staying connected.
Yeah, staying tethered.
Ford Cooper (14:47):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I, and I'm certainly not anunderdog or anything with this stuff.
it's just who I am, you know?
Larry (14:54):
There's a lot of people that feel underdog.
One of my questions werelike, how do you feel?
Do you feel marginalized in any way?
Ford Cooper (15:01):
No.
No, no,
Larry (15:02):
Cause a lot of people do, a lot of people are told
there's something wrong with you.
Ford Cooper (15:07):
I relate.
I feel that, but I don't personallyfeel that, I just got what I got.
Larry (15:12):
Well that's a wonderful way of, putting it, you know?
'Cause I remember being a kid inschool and we were all reading, right?
When you're done reading, look up.
And I just kept kind of peeking upand everybody kept looking up and I
wasn't anywhere near done reading.
And to this day, I do not know ifthe teacher said this or I said it.
But I came out of that momentand I was in elementary school
(15:35):
as "Larry is a slow reader."
Ford Cooper (15:38):
Yeah.
Larry (15:38):
I don't know if the teacher said that or if I said that, and that lived
with me to this day that lives with
me.
So the fact that you're notcrucifying yourself over being
quirky, like you saidearlier, or just having
a different need.
It's a, it's a need, you know?
We put the words Special Needs outthere, like you have needs that
(16:00):
are special because you, are you.
You are special to your own self.
You have to care for yourself.
So the fact that you have, boundaries,I would say, do you have boundaries?
That, okay, you're in a situationand you just mentioned a little while
ago about emotions that come up andyou don't want maybe deal with them.
Do you have a sort of like a wall thatjust comes right up if something happens?
(16:22):
It's a loaded question.
Ford Cooper (16:23):
Well, I do.
But that's something I've had towork on, because I've done that to
people who are trying to help me.
You know what I mean?
You put that wall up and then, like Ithought that would help me, but it didn't.
It just backed me into a cornerand these are people that you
know, and I'm not saying nothing.
I have boundaries.
Larry (16:42):
Well, yeah, you can finish your thought.
Yeah, backed you in the corner.
It's
Ford Cooper (16:44):
That was on me.
You know what I mean?
Larry (16:46):
Well, yeah, that's my point, is that you're able to say, That Was On Me.
Because a lot of times you getbacked in the corner, you spend more
time saying It's them, them, them.
Ford Cooper (16:55):
I I don't, I don't do that.
You know?
what I mean?
Yeah.
Larry (16:58):
So you're able to take responsibility?
Ford Cooper (17:00):
Yeah, yeah.
Larry (17:01):
Great.
That's fantastic.
So let's get into your lyrics here.
the song, "All I Ever Say",it's a fantastic song.
Ford Cooper (17:07):
Well, thenk you.
Larry (17:08):
You're welcome.
you wrote it yourself?
Ford Cooper (17:10):
Mm-hmm.
Larry (17:10):
And produced by Rob Levine.
It's an EP that came out, May of 2024.
You had songs called "Whatcha Zoin".
Ford Cooper (17:18):
That's the one
Larry (17:19):
Right?
With Ellie Allen.
That's a cool song.
Ford Cooper (17:20):
Shout out Ellie.
Larry (17:21):
And then a song called "Wishes".
Ford Cooper (17:23):
Mm-hmm.
Larry (17:24):
So, I love this song, "All I Ever Say", it's a smooth soul song.
I mean, you are as vulnerable as asongwriter could be, and thank you
for that.
Ford Cooper (17:31):
Oh man.
Larry (17:32):
So let's read, okay?
The lyric is, "Yeah, I could saywhat's on my brain, but my friends will
think I'm insane, so I'll be quiet.
It's all the same.
Ain't it Strange, Ain't it Strange?"
Ford Cooper (17:42):
Yeah.
Larry (17:42):
That's happened to all of us, my friend.
Right?
And you're putting it into song forthose of us to say, Wow, I'm Not Alone.
Ford Cooper (17:50):
Yeah.
Larry (17:50):
And you go on to say, I could talk through my mouth.
Let the words pour on out.
But every time I try to say whatI think, I get told that it's
not the time nor place, so Ijust sit there and I overthink".
Do you spend a lot of timeup in the head office?
Ford Cooper (18:06):
Like in my head?
Yeah.
Larry (18:09):
The head office gets full and we stay up there for long time.
Ford Cooper (18:12):
Yeah, It can get a little chaotic and cluttered,
but, I think I, I've gotten a lotbetter since that, but yeah, sure.
I definitely still feel that.
you know,
Larry (18:19):
When you say better,
Ford Cooper (18:20):
Yeah.
Larry (18:20):
Is there better?
Is there worse?
I just think it's all,just being a human being.
You're expressing yourself.
Where did this song come from?
You're expressing somethingthat these are feelings.
You have feelings andthoughts that you want to get
out, but you've tended toin the past, keep them in.
What we want is to Be Seen and toBe Heard And this sounds like that.
So how did this song come about?
Ford Cooper (18:41):
Well, the song came about, fairly quickly.
I just sat down and I had amusical motif that I really
enjoyed and, had a groove to it.
The lyrics just kind of came out.
there was no, like, I wasn'ttrying to have a message or any
thing with
the song.
It was purely just me kind of venting, you
know?
Larry (19:01):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Ford Cooper (19:02):
It was kind of for myself in a way.
You know, I was just trying towrite down my thoughts and what I
was going through that day, but,it kind of turned out relatable.
Yeah.
But that wasn't the intention and I thinkthat's why it came out that way, you know?
Larry (19:14):
You weren't intending to
Ford Cooper (19:15):
Not at all.
Not at all.
Larry (19:16):
Teach us anything.
Ford Cooper (19:17):
Not at all.
No no no.
Larry (19:18):
Did that open your eyes and your heart to something
that's very precious as an artist.
Ford Cooper (19:23):
Oh, Good question.
Larry (19:24):
As an artist.
I think we try so hard.
We're performing, we're pleasing, we'reproving, We put it out there, right?
Put the nice shirt on, get hair nice.
Make you look good,as much as sound good.
I And a lot of times we have, um,gimmicks, the list goes on and on.
But the bottom line is you werenot trying to teach me something,
(19:46):
and what you did was by beingauthentic, you showed me something.
Ford Cooper (19:51):
Oh man, that's, thank you.
That's really kind.
Larry (19:54):
Yeah.
Well, thank you.
You were honest.
It goes on.
Your lyric, the third stanza:
"Who cares what I got to say?
Who would listen anyways,I'm gonna find high.
I'm gonna numb the pain."
I'm, gonna, get high, numb the pain.
I'm paraphrasing your own song here.
Right?
Right.
"Use and abuse it every day.
Ain't It Strange?
Ain't It Strange?"
Do you numb the pain?
Ford Cooper (20:15):
No, I don't drink.
No, I
Larry (20:17):
I quit drinking about three years ago.
It'll three years forme in about two weeks.
But I numbed my pain.
A lifetime of numbing.
Drug use and alcohol abuse.
And I was curious, do you numb thepain, but you don't have to numb
the pain with alcohol or drugs?
Do you numb your pain, with anything thatyou might wanna share with us right now?
I mean, Sometimes it'sfood, sometimes it's sex.
Sometimes it's juststaying alone, being angry.
(20:38):
I don't know.
Ford Cooper (20:39):
No.
nothing, nothing like that.
No hard narcotics or anything like that.
no.
Larry (20:44):
But I mean, how would you say that you numb your pain?
We all have a way of numbing pain.
Ford Cooper (20:49):
Well,
probably through, you know,
the creative outlet of music.
And
As mentioned, exercising helps.
Larry (20:58):
You're not kidding, man.
Ford Cooper (20:59):
That really helps.
Larry (21:00):
One of my questions was, do you take care of yourself?
And I can see that you do.
When you drove past mecoming in here, I saw a
very,
very good looking Cat, hishair flowing of the car.
Oh
I was like,
Ford Cooper (21:12):
Brother Love, baby.
Larry (21:13):
Man, I get to interview this Adonis?
Ford Cooper (21:15):
This Adonis.
Larry (21:16):
This is cool, You look and feel like you take care of yourself
and you've mentioned a few times, andyou say it so, easily and I'm hearing
it easily, 'cause I'm the same way.
If I don't work out, take careof my body, whatever that means.
If I don't move my body, I get real stuck
man.
Ford Cooper (21:31):
Man, I'm with you on that.
Larry (21:33):
And I get real depressed.
And I get real, real dark.
And then, I'm abusing myself andI'm abusing my loved ones around me.
And my wife is like,what is wrong with you?
Why are you such a maniac?
And I realized because Ihaven't gotten out of my head.
Ford Cooper (21:49):
Yeah.
It goes deep.
Larry (21:50):
It goes deep.
Do you have a regimen in yourlife that you keep to daily?
I We touched upon this earlier, doyou have a set schedule of every
day that you try to adhere towhen it comes to a routine to keep
you sane and happy and healthy?
Ford Cooper (22:05):
Oh yeah.
I mean, sometimes yougotta, I gotta adjust it.
But yeah, I ride out my days andI like to keep it structured.
helps
helps me just keep moving.
Keep feeling purposeful,productive and happy.
You know, I enjoy
the things I do.
It's not a chore.
Larry (22:21):
That's Beautiful!
Good you.
" I enjoy the things I do".
Ford Cooper (22:23):
Yeah, it keeps me happy.
You know what I mean?
Larry (22:25):
Would say you're a happy person?
Ford Cooper (22:27):
Yeah, I think so.
Larry (22:28):
That's
great!
A lot people, that's a hard question.
So you take care of yourself, Ireally appreciate that about you.
Do you have your people here in Nashville?
You have a community here?
Like you're here, what,how many years now?
Ford Cooper (22:41):
Two and a Half.
Larry (22:42):
How do you about having your people around you?
Do you have a community of peoplethat you trust, that you really,
really, really, call family?
Ford Cooper (22:49):
Oh Yeah.
I got my team of people that
help.
They're amazing.
Just
being in Nashville, there'sso many people I've ran into.
I think the Community and Cultureof Nashville is really supportive.
It's been, to me at least.
Larry (23:00):
It's incredible, isn't it?
Ford Cooper (23:01):
Yeah.
it's it's inspiring.
There's so much worldwide talentand, I'm grateful to be a part of it.
Larry (23:07):
That's so cool.
Yeah.
That's great.
So, as far as messaging goes,what would your message be?
Like, "I'm Ford Cooper, I'm a musician.
and my message throughmy music would be...?
Hmm.
What would that be?
Ford Cooper (23:20):
I don't think I have a message.
I think what I try and do isjust come off really authentic.
And being really original with thesounds and, just purposeful with
what I'm writing and performing.
Like I kind of said with "All IEver Say", I I don't really try and
save the world or write a message.
I just write how I'm feelingand, hope it sticks, you know?
Larry (23:40):
That's
fantastic.
Do you write a lot?
Are you writing a
lot
of music?
Ford Cooper (23:44):
Oh, Yeah.
Yeah, every every day.
Larry (23:45):
Every day?
Ford Cooper (23:46):
Yeah.
Larry (23:46):
Nice.
So what's, coming up for you?
This EP was last year, so we're raisingsome awareness with "All I Ever Say".
I mean, I, do appreciate it, you know?
What you're saying is,
this something that's happeningwith me, and I'm all right.
I have people around me that I trust.
And you trust in yourselfclearly, and you sound wonderful.
Ford Cooper (24:04):
Thank you.
Larry (24:05):
Which is great.
So as far as the Autism, as far as,Community, as far as raising awareness,
you know, do you have any messaging?
Because there's,
people out there that really feel alone.
That haven't been struck withthe strength that you have, which
is, taking care of yourself.
You're being very mindful of yourselfand that's an important thing.
So do you have a, message at all?
(24:25):
And, You don't have to bea Wise Sage or anything,
you said it before, but,
Ford Cooper (24:28):
Well, the thing I'm proud of with a song specifically, like "All
I Ever Say" is, It kind of disintegratesany ignorance about the subject matter.
'Cause I've had encounters with peoplelike that where I thought they were
one way, but then I learned that theymight have, a condition or something.
And then I go like, oh, and I learn a lot.
It, increases my empathy andsympathy for that person,
(24:49):
'cause I understand them now.
You know, so I, think that'ssomething I'm proud of with that song.
That was like a byproductafter the song was done.
It wasn't at all intentional.
Larry (24:59):
Right, and that's clear, by the way.
Ford Cooper (25:01):
But I, think that if there is a message that might
be one, just, "Hey, you neverknow what they're going through."
Larry (25:07):
You never know what anybody's going through.
That's so insightful.
I think that's fantastic.
So you've got some shows coming up.
What's happening?
Talk
to me.
Ford Cooper (25:14):
We got one July 5th.
Larry (25:17):
July 5th, at the OG Basement.
Ford Cooper (25:19):
OG Basement.
Larry (25:20):
You're headlining, correct?
Ford Cooper (25:22):
Yeah.
Larry (25:22):
I believe you are, I've read correctly.
Yeah.
Are you excited?
Ford Cooper (25:26):
Very, I Love it, Love it.
Larry (25:28):
What does your band consist of?
Ford Cooper (25:29):
I'm on keyboards and singing.
Mm-hmm.
I have a background vocalist, anorganist, a bass player, a drummer,
and a guitarist, and that's kind ofthe blueprint for the sound, you know?
Larry (25:41):
Yeah!
That's fantastic.
I love every minute of it.
There's a quote from Martha Graham,who was a, American Modern Dancer and
Choreographer, and she said this toAgnes de Mille, who also was a, Dancer.
Quote, "There is avitality, a life force...
that is translated through youinto action, and because there
is only one of you, in all oftime, this expression is unique.
(26:03):
And if you block it, it willnever exist through any other
medium and it will be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determinehow good it is nor how valuable nor
how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keepit yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open."
Now, when I was looking you up and lookingyou down, this quote came to me because
(26:27):
you seem like you have a strength inyou, you have a vitality, you have a
life force, and there's only one of you.
And I know you're finding your wayjust like we all are, but I wanna
say from one artist to another, thankyou for sharing your journey with
us.
Ford Cooper (26:42):
Yeah.
Larry (26:43):
You know, because it's not easy thing to do.
You're a few hours from where you grew up.
You have a life in Nashville, Tennessee.
You're writing songs, you're doingall the things that need to happen.
And, you're sharing your storywith all of us, and I really
appreciate it very, very much.
Ford Cooper (26:57):
Yeah man.
Yeah.
Larry (26:58):
I got a questions for you now.
these are my rapid fire at the end
questions.
You feeling okay?
Ford Cooper (27:03):
I'm feeling great.
Larry (27:04):
Good.
Great.
Okay.
What fascinates you?
Like these days, likewhat's fascinating to you?
Ford Cooper (27:10):
In relation to music?
Larry (27:11):
In relation to anything.
What's fascinating to you?
Ford Cooper (27:16):
Oh, man.
Larry (27:17):
Take your time.
Ford Cooper (27:18):
Happiness
Larry (27:20):
Happiness is fascinating.
Why is that?
Ford Cooper (27:23):
I don't know.
Life's, we need it, you know?
So it's a good thing to study.
Larry (27:27):
That's great.
I love it!
That's fantastic.
All right, well let'stake it the opposite.
What angers you?
What, pisses you off?
Ford Cooper (27:33):
Myself.
Larry (27:36):
Oh gosh.
Why is that?
Ford Cooper (27:38):
Well, I say that jokingly.
Larry (27:41):
Well, hey, me too, by the way.
Ford Cooper (27:43):
I get flustered with myself.
I don't know.
I try not to let, I'm really blessed, man.
Yeah.
I count my blessings more than the thingsthat maybe I wish I had or, things.
You know, I try and practice gratitude.
Larry (27:55):
That's great.
Well,
practicing gratitude and beinggratitude are two different things.
Ford Cooper (27:59):
Being gratuitous.
Yeah.
Larry (28:00):
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Well, now that you'resmiling, What brings you joy?
Ford Cooper (28:04):
Oh, uh,
Larry (28:05):
Like pure joy, like wow.
Ford Cooper (28:07):
Just waking up.
Yeah.
Getting up, Man.
My family, music, my health.
I'm blessed.
Larry (28:12):
If you had a magic wand and you could fix Anything
In The World, Ford Cooper,
You go BOP!
It's fixed.
It's done.
You're welcome.
What would that be?
Ford Cooper (28:22):
I'm gonna think on that one.
Larry (28:23):
Yeah, take your time.
Ford Cooper (28:25):
I don't know, I think everybody just has
such individualized problems.
I guess I, yeah, I would hope to takeaway everyone's problems my, magic wand.
I would just spread more love.
Larry (28:34):
Yeah.
Well here's to that.
Thank you so much.
Fort Cooper, how do we find you?
Ford Cooper (28:38):
On Instagram, it's Ford Cooper Music, Spotify, and all platforms
where there's music It's Ford Cooper.
Ford Cooper Official is my website,and that's a good place to find me.
Larry (28:49):
Well find Ford Cooper.
You will be happy that you did, because hebrings joy and authenticity to his music
and into your ears and into your heart.
Well, thank you for being here.
Ford Cooper (28:59):
Thank you for having me man.
Larry (29:00):
Yeah, absolutely.
Ladies and gentlemen, Ford Cooper onthe Just Keep Talking Podcast with me,
Brother Love, Because Your Story Matters.
You know, we need to Be Seen, to BeHeard, and to feel like we Really Belong.
Thank you for taking me in and, makingme feel Seen, and Heard, and like,
I Belong here with you right now.
I really appreciate it.
None of this is easy.
And it's just wonderful to be ableto share our stories because there
(29:21):
are people sitting around thinking,you know, I wanna do what Ford does.
How do I do that?
And I know somebody's listening, andthey're gonna have a few answers.
Ford's magic wand is gonna make allyour, Joy come into your life, right?
Yeah.
Ford Cooper (29:36):
I don't know about that.
Larry (29:38):
We'll do our best.
Well, thanks so much for tuning into the Just Keep Talking Podcast.
My name is Brother Love, and untilnext time, we'll see you soon.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.