Haskell Cooley Family
 

Without a doubt one of the most recognized names over the past 30 years in Southern Gospel Music has been The Cathedral Quartet. Names such as Gerald Wolfe, Mark Trammell, Scott Fowler, and others come to mind when you speak of the Cathedral Legacy. One of the early names to be associated with The Cathedral Quartet was Mr. Haskell Cooley.

Haskell Cooley was born in Buffalo Valley, Oklahoma, a town that only just a few years ago, “made it on the map,” Haskell chuckled.

“My playing technique is somewhat unique I guess,” Haskell began. He started playing piano at the age of 13, and was for the most part, self-taught. His first group to play for was The Cooley Brothers, consisting of Haskell and his two siblings. They sang mostly in the Oklahoma-Arkansas region.

Haskell’s formal training began at the Stamps School of Music in Dallas, he then studied classical music while attending college. Incorporating both styles of music helped to set-apart Haskell and made his piano playing very recognizable.

After college Haskell took a job teaching piano at the Easmon Napier School of Music in Wichita, Kansas one of his first students was a young lady named JoLee. She began bringing chocolate chip cookies to the teacher and after a few lessons the cookies became payment; JoLee had won the heart of her teacher! Soon they were married.

In 1972 Haskell joined the Weatherfords playing piano. “I am eternally grateful to Lily Fern and her late husband Earl for giving me a chance to play gospel music for the first time on a professional level,” stated Haskell. Glen Payne with the Cathedral Quartet called in April of 1974 and the Cooleys made the move to Stow, Ohio, the home base of the Cathedrals. “I spent four wonderful years with the Cathedral Quartet that included some special memories for me personally,” said Haskell.

In 1978 their son Cason was born. The Cooleys made the decision to move back to Wichita, desiring to be closer to their families again and enabling Cason time to be with his grandparents.

Little Cason was just 5 months old when The Cooleys began traveling and singing on their own, by the age of 2 he had joined them on stage. “We have a daughter, Camissa, who graduated from high school this past May,” said Haskell. Camissa still travels with her parents on occasion. Cason works in music production and lives in Nashville, Tennessee

Several recordings on which Haskell is the pianist have been nominated for Grammy Awards by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In addition, Haskell has been the nominee for several Singing News Fan Awards.

Haskell and JoLee are also accomplished songwriters. Two of their best known songs are, “I’ll Sail Away Home” and “Gonna Shout All Over Heaven”, both made popular by The Cathedral Quartet.

When asked if it had been worth it, Haskell replied with a resounding, "Oh Yes! Gospel Music has been my life. Looking back on my career, I was honored to have been associated with two of the great names in Southern Gospel Music, The Weatherfords and Cathedral Quartet. Now for the past 25 years to be able to travel with my family has been the ultimate reward for me personally." 

Career Highlights:

•  Was the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet from 1974 through 1979.
•  Also the former pianist of the Weatherfords
•  Haskell has been the nominee for several Singing News Fan Awards
•  Several recordings on which Haskell is the pianist have been nominated for Grammy Awards
•  Haskell and JoLee are also accomplished songwriters.
•  Two of their best known songs are, “I’ll Sail Away Home” and “Gonna Shout All Over Heaven