Songwriter Roger Cook career examined at Country Music Hall of Fame Saturday

If you're looking for a fun afternoon in Nashville that exemplifies Music City, head on over to the Country Music Hall of Fame at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5 for a special program celebrating the career of songwriter/singer/guitarist Roger Cook as the Hall of Fame continues their 'Poets and Prophets Salute' series.
While you may not immediately recognize his name, if you've listened to the radio or watched TV in the past five decades, you've heard his music.
Born in Bristol, England, but calling Nashville his home for years, Cook's songwriting genius has resulting in an impressive list of well-known tunes familiar to country, rock & pop audiences alike.
Among Cook's cat along of collaborations: Crystal Gayle's "Talking in Your Sleep", Andy Williams' "Home Lovin' Man", The Hollies' “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,” Don Williams’ “I Believe in You” and “Love Is on a Roll."
While all these tunes did well for Cook as a songwriter and for the artists that recorded them, his biggest success happened when a certain soft drink company took a liking to a jungle co-written by Cook titled,"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In PerfectHarmony)". Thats's right! Cook, along with ad exec Bill Backer and Cook collaborators Billy Davis and Roger Greenaway.
In 1997, Cook became the first British-born songwriter to be inducted in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. As if these career highlights weren't impressive enough, there something else Cook produced that makes him noteworthy in Music City. He and Joan Cook are the parents of one of Nashville's favorite TV personalities, Katie Cook, co-host of CMT's weekly "Hot 20 Countdown" and a staple on Red Carpets everywhere.
Today's celebration at the Country Music Hall of Fame will feature an interview with Cook, including photos and clips illustrating his impressive career. Cook will also take to the stage, giving attendees a rare opportunity to witness several of the above-mentioned songs live.
As the day's events conclude, Cook will be available for photos and autographs. Nashville's famed Hatch Show Print Shop has created a special poster commemorating today's program. The poster will be available for purchase from the Hall of Fame gift shop both before and after today's event slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. Admission to the special program is included with the $20 price of admission to the Hall of Fame, and is free with membership. I highly recommend going ahead and signing up for membership while you're there. It's $40 for a year of unlimited admission to the Hall of Fame and free admission to a number if special events like today's salute to Roger Cook. If you're not able to attend today's event in person, CLICK HERE to watch it stream live via the Hall of Fame's website.
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