Bo Cooke trained under Joan Munkers at Libby Junior High in 1973 with the Jackson Five and Carpenters as his musical influences during those formative years. His training was cut short when Bo was booted from the choir for an unfortunate incident with chalk and erasers. He picked up his next major influence while in high school 'swing choir' where he did a fine impersonation of the awkward farm boy 'Willard' in the movie 'Footloose'. His singing partner, Debbie Hoppe, managed to avoid his size 13 shoes and his erratic movements - her volleyball skills came in handy using lateral moves to avoid colliding with him. During these years the guitar playing and singing as a camp counselor at YMCA's Camp Reed greatly influenced Bo's music interests. "I think WoodTik Rik showed me the power of a well-delivered lyric and percussive guitar playing - he remains the best 9 fingered guitarist ever..." commented Bo. "Tik embraced his limitation and it worked for him. That gave me the confidence to accept that my hand tremor and general lack of real rhythm shouldn't hold me back!"

"In the sunset side of my life I have found great solace in the music of honest lyricists - Tom Waits, Neil Young, Bob Dylan. The older guys like Louis Armstrong and the blues legends also influence me a great deal. I love to play their music - it's honest and reaches the soul."


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