CIO: How did you get into Country & Western music and when did you start with it?Troy: I grew up listening to it as my parents are Country & Western music lovers. I started playing the guitar and singing when I was not quite 13 years old.
CIO: What does Country & Western music mean to you personally?
Troy: It discribes everyday living for all walks of life from one end of our world to the other. CIO: What is your opinion about Country & Western music made in Germany?
Troy: My music and others on STARDUST get tremendous airplay in Germany, so therefore I can only guess that it is the most popular music in Germany.
CIO: How important is the world-wide presence of Country & Western music in your eyes?
Troy: It is very important to me and I'm going to keep singing Country & Western music and promoting it as much as I can.
CIO: What are your future plans?
Troy: I'm going to keep working very hard to improve my vocal and keep working to improve my guitar playing. I hope to tour Germany and other countries in the near future to help promote my music and have the opportunity to meet the wonderful DJ's that play my music and the wonderful fans that listen.
CIO: Who was your model role in Country & Western music?
Troy: My very favorite is Merle Haggard. I also like Travis Tritt and Darryl Worley; I sing a lot of their songs at my gigs.
CIO: Do you have a homepage?
Troy: Yes, at http://www.troycookjr.com
CIO: What do you think about internet presence of Country & Western music?
Troy: The internet has made it possible for everyone to communicate in a way that other wise couldn't have been done. Listening to radio in other countries, promoting and selling my album, doing interviews such as this one, it is truly awesome.
CIO: Why do you prefer making Country & Western over other music-styles?
Troy: I enjoy listening to different types of music from time to time but I have a SPECIAL love for C&W music that I don't have for any other kind of music.
CIO: What do you think about mixing Country & Western music with pop?
Troy: It might be good for others, but not for me. There are some people who enjoy the mix and I respect them for that, but I am traditional country and I plan on staying this way.
CIO: Which arguments would you use in order to convince someone that Country & Western music is the best music there is?
Troy: Country & Western music is all about everyday life for all types of people. Country & Western music has been around for many, many years and will continue to be the most played music.
CIO: What is in your eyes the biggest difference between the "old" and the "new" world of Country & Western music?
Troy: My opinion is that the trend of C&W music changes from time to time, but always goes back to the basic traditional sound. I've watched some entertainers that get too new and they start sounding pop.
CIO: What has been your greatest success in Country & Western music so far? Troy: To me, my greatest success is what I have accomplished since being on STARDUST under the guidance of COLONEL BUSTER DOSS. My music is getting played all over the world, even here in the states. Here in the states, it is hard to get your music played unless you are on a major label. Lately some of the major radio stations are playing me, so to me this is a great accomplishment.