Live Music Puyallup: CJ Hooper

CJ Hooper is a Washington-based country singer/songwriter with deep Texas roots. Music has been a constant presence in his life from childhood piano lessons to picking up the guitar in his early teens. Raised on a steady diet of classic country thanks to his parents’ cassette collection, Hooper wore out recordings by Hank Williams, Merle Haggard (The Epic Collection), and the Charlie Daniels Band, laying the foundation for his traditional yet personal sound.
Hooper’s sophomore album, Over Yonder (Feb. 6, 2026), follows his debut release Primero (February 2025). The new record reflects a continued evolution in his songwriting, driven by a desire to challenge himself creatively while staying grounded in the simple joy of turning a song idea into its final form.