Jim Cooper (musician)

Jim Cooper is an American contemporary Christian musician, songwriter, and producer.

Cooper studied at Temple Christian Academy in his hometown. Jim Cooper got his feet wet with Jody Davis (who went on to play guitar in the Newsboys) with the band Phos Also in the Band was a lead singer by the name of Gary. Towards the end of Phos the drummer of David and the Giants Keith Thibodeaux joined Phos. After the breakup of Phos he joined legendary Christian rock band Petra, as a keyboard technician for John Lawry. He credits Lawry for being his mentor and teacher. In 1994 he joined in as their full-time keyboardist, upon Lawry's retirement.

His arrival came in time for the release of No Doubt in 1995. He also contributed for the band's second praise album, Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus in 1997 before being fired for musical differences.

Cooper has contributed to several other artists with his songwriting and playing skills. He also started a production company with friend Brian Wooten (formerly of White Heart).

In 2005, Cooper became the project coordinator for Petra's last album, the live recording of Petra Farewell.

In 2007 he helped produce the II Guys from Petra album Vertical Expressions with John Schlitt an Bob Hartman and he did the keyboards in the album.