Dave Hooper used to go to work with his dad, famed music composer Les Hooper, who writes music for TV commercials. When his voice changed,(he was the voice of Jolly Green Giant commercial’s Little Green Sprout) and he realized he couldn’t sing, Dave decided he had to take up an instrument. Drums seemed like the right instrument to torment his parents with. 

Dave attended North Texas State University for 2 years and then realized college was for sissies. (Not really) He studied with Peter Erskine, Gregg Bissonette, Steve Houghton, Joe Porcaro, David Garibaldi, Tom Brechtlein and spent many hours jamming in his garage with roommate, Gary Novak.

Dave’s Dad couldn’t wait to use him as a drummer on his commercials, so at the age of 17, Dave began his studio drumming career.  Some of his career’s highlights have been working with Toni Braxton, Larry Graham, Herbie Hancock, Sheryl Crow, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, George Duke, Lee Ritenour, Diane Warren, Earl Klugh, Griffith Frank, The Rippingtons, David Byrne, Warren Hill, Ray Parker Jr. Dave Koz, Sheila E, Joe Sample, The Manhattan Transfer, Chaka Kahn, and James Ingram.  Dave recently worked on Glee as a technical consultant.

Other artists Dave has worked with include Toni Braxton, Earl Klugh, George Duke, Larry Graham, Sheila E, Sheryl Crow, David Byrne, James Ingram, Eric Benet, Chaka Kahn, Lee Ritenour, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Caldwell, Donny Osmond, Dave Koz, Jeffrey Osborne and many more.  Hooper has performed on many TV commercials including spots for Visa, Hertz, Coke. Nissan, Ford, MCI, Sears, Delta, Buick, Sudafed, Timex, Honda…the list goes on.  

Dave most recently played on the soundtrack for the Netflix series Jessica Jones and Showtime’s Homeland. He also hosts a teaching website with former roommate, drumming great Gary Novak entitled PossibleChops.com, where they feature an easy and fun format to learn from other great players.  More info can be found at https://hooperdave.com/