Group Members

Jeanette Cooke (1962-Present)
Hubert Cooke (1962-2018)
James Cooke (????-Present)
Ronnie Cooke? (????-Present)
Donnie Cooke? (????-Present)

The Singing Cookes (1962-Present)

History

Hubert and Jeanette Cooke formed The Cooke Duet in the coal mining town of Wise, Virginia in 1962. At first, they used two Hummingbird guitars for accompaniment. Hubert had previously performed bluegrass music with The Ramblin' Mountain Boys. Jeanette was the daughter of a preacher, Rev. Gordan Freeman. With $135.00 from an income tax refund, they made their first recording, self-titled The Cooke Duet.

Hubert continued to work as a coal miner during the duo's early years. In 1965, he felt a conviction to leave his coal mining job, and so they hit the road singing full-time.

Their sons, James, Ronny, and Donny, each became part of the group as young teenagers of 14. As the boys joined, the name of the group was first modified to Cooke Duet & Sons, then later to The Singing Cookes. In time, the sons formed a group within a group, The Cooke Brothers.

Tami Cooke (James' daughter) and Daniel Cooke (Donny's son) have also been featured performers with The Singing Cookes.

Discography

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196? The Cooke Duet (Custom Records): Family Circle; Death Is Just A Dream; Come Spring; King Jesus; Banks Of Jordan; Ain't No Grave; A Better Place To Go; Almost See The Lights Of Home; There Must Be A Power; Trusting In You Lord; Got Sweet Heaven In My View; Child Of The King.

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1968 The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow (Custom Records).

1970 A Better Place To Go (Custom Records).

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1970 Striving For That City (Custom Records).

1971 God Is Not Dead, He's Still Alive (Custom Records): God's Not Dead; Across The Bridge; Someday I'm Going Home; It's A Good, Good Day; Had It Not Been; Green Pastures; While The Ages Roll; Mother's Last Message; I Wanta See Jesus; The Lord Found Me; Everything's Gonna Be Alright; I Will Follow Thee. (James, Hubert, Jeanette).

1971 I'm Moving Up Home Someday (Custom Records): I'm Moving Up Home Someday; He Loved Me More And More; Too Much To Gain To Lose; Thank God I'm Free; It Won't Be Long; Sheltered In The Arms Of God; God Took Away My Yesterdays; King Of The Jews; Satisfied; God Our Maker; One More River; The Soldier's Returned Letter. (James, Jeanette, Hubert).

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197? The Cooke Duet And Son (Custom Records).

1972 I'm Heading Home (Custom Records).

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1972 Lord It's Just Another Hill (Custom Records): Lord It's Just Another Hill; I Saw The Face Of Jesus; Where Will I Shelter My Sheep; I Pray My Way Out Of Trouble; Swing Down Chariot; No One; A Better Life Is Waiting; In The Great Beyond; Heaven Holds All For Me; Clinging To A Saving Hand. (Hubert, Jeanette, Ronnie, James).

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1973 I Had A Vision Of Heaven (Custom Records): I Had A Vision; I Saw Mom With God Last Night; The Unseen Hand; I'm Gonna Wake Up In Glory; Almost Home; Just For A Day; Where We Ever Shall Be; I'm Going Up; I'll Soon Be Gone; He Keeps Watch Over Me; Upper Window. (Hubert, James, Ronnie, Jeanette).

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1974 A Place I've Never Been (Custom Records): A Place I've Never Been; One Day I Will; When I Look Up; Jesus Will Outshine Them All; There's Nothing Back There For Me; The Lighthouse; Heaven Will Never Welcome A Sweeter Mama; Come And See Me; Shout And Shine; It's Just About Time For Me To Lay Down My Cross And Go Home; Six Hours On The Cross. (Hubert, Donnie, Jeanette, Ronnie, James).

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1974 I Know Jesus Will Welcome Me Home (Custom Records/740936): I Know Jesus Will Welcome Me Home; Hallelujah What A Morning; The Sun Won't Ever Go Down In That City; The Great High Mountain; A Hymn From Way Back Home; I Won't Be Coming Back Anymore; Eastern Gate; My Heavenly Home; What A Time In Heaven; At The Crossing. (Donnie, James, Jeanette, Hubert, Ronny).

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1975 Beautiful (Trail Records/751413): The Sweetest Words He Ever Said; One Day At A Time; Love Will Roll The Clouds Away; When My Name Is Called In Glory; Tears Will Never Stain The Streets Of That City; Sing The Glory Down; Beautiful; I Saw The Man; Gray Hair In Mother's Head; The First Sound After Death. (Donnie, Jeanette, Ronnie, Hubert, James).

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1975 Stand By Me Lord (Custom Records): Stand By Me Lord; Look For Me At Jesus Feet; Hallelujah Meeting; I'm So Glad He Found Me; The First Million Years; Who'll Pray For Me When Mama's Gone; Moving On Up; No More Crying; Meet Me Over On The Other Side; I Feel So Near To Thee. (Ronnie, Hubert, Jeanette, James, Donnie).

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1976 Don't Take My Mountain Away (Trail Records/6517): Don't Take My Mountain Away; Happy Journey; Mama Needs No Marker; I'll Keep Holding On; The Touch Of The Master's Strong Hand; It'll Be Alright With Me; Mount Calvary; In The Valley He Restoreth My Soul; It's A Long Road; There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down. (Hubert, Jeanette, Donnie, Ronnie, James).

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1977 He Rows Me Over The Tide (QCA Records): He Rows Me Over The Tide; One Way Flight; Now I'm Close To Jesus; You Never Mentioned Him To Me; On Heaven's Bright Shore; Mom Will Sing Amazing Grace; Some Morning Yonder; Near To Thee; Worth All My Trials; I'll Never Be The Same. (Ronnie, James, Jeanette, Hubert, Donnie).

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1978 My God Knows What I Need (Custom Records): My God Knows What I Need; I'm Just One Of His Children; There's Always A Rainbow?; Hill Lone And Gray; His Amazing Grace; Memories Of Mama; Beyond The Clouds; I've Never Been This Homesick Before; When The Flowers Of God Shall Bloom; All The Praises. (Ronnie, Hubert, Jeanette, James, Donnie).

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1979 He's Always There (Cooke Records/790130): He's Always There; I'm Coming Back To The House; My Day Will Come; What Good Is Man Without God; What Will It Be Beyond The River For Me; He Was There All The Time; I'm On My Way; Mama's Gone A Riding; He Holds Me Secure; Come Shake Hands With Me. (Hubert, Jeanette, James, Ronnie, Donnie).

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1980 Live (Trail Records/9851): Introduction; On Heaven's Bright Shore; Some Morning Yonder; A Place I've Never Been; Mama Needs No Marker; There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down; You've Got To Be Tired Lord; Group Introductions; He Rows Me Over The Tide; I'll Fly Away; I've Never Been This Homesick Before. (Hubert, Jeanette, James, Ronnie, Donnie).

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1980 God Delivers Again (Trail Records/9856): God Delivers Again; The Touch Of His Love; City Limits Of Heaven; The Angels Sing Happy Birthday; Worth All My Trials; He Gave His Only Son; Homecoming In The Sky; That Same Spirit; The Upper Window; Precious Jesus. (Hubert, Jeanette, James, Ronnie, Donnie).

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1980 My Lord Will Send A Moses (Trail Records/1974): My Lord Will Send A Moses; He Must Have Walked The Lowest Valley; Beyond The Sunset For Me; Until The Race Is Run; How Great It Is; Oh What A City; It Makes It All Worth While; Sounds Of That City; Let The World Go By; We're All Going Home. (Jeanette, Donnie, Hubert, James, Ronnie).

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1982 He Will Understand (Windchime Records/5006): He Will Understand; I Want To Be Waiting; Home Has Never Looked So Good To Me; It's All Up To You; It Was Love; Nothing Can Hold Me Here; Lookin' Up; He'll Walk On The Water; I Caught A Glimpse Of That City; King Jesus. (James, Jeanette, Ronnie, Hubert, Donnie).

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1983 Mail Order From Heaven (Windchime Records/5013): Mail Order From Heaven; Victory Is Sweet; Way Below The Bottom; When I Cross That River; Jesus; Heading For Canaan; Baptism Of Jesus; Going To A Beautiful City; Mother's At Rest; I've Got To Make It Somehow. (Ronnie, Jeanette, Hubert, James, Donnie).

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1983 I Think I'll Read It Again (Windchime Records/5019): I Think I'll Read It Again; On This Side Of The Grave; Use Me; Still Loving Me; Come Spring; I'm So Glad I'm Ready; Don't Even Look Back; Children Keep Moving; A Million Tears Or More; I Pressed Through The Crowd. (Donnie, James, Jeanette, Ronnie, Hubert).

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1984 On Ahead Is Gloryland (Cooke Records): On Ahead Is Gloryland; Old Crossroad; Someday I'm Going Home; They've Moved Our Reunion To Heaven; This Little Light Of Mine; It's Gonna Rain; Family Circle; Mother's Last Message; He Loved Me More And More; A Better Place To Go. (Ronnie, Jeanette, James, Hubert, Donnie).

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1985 We've Got To Move Out (Cooke Records/850202): We've Got To Move Out; Who Can Explain; Heaven On The Horizon; I Still Like The Songs That Momma Sang The Best; He's Coming For Me; I'll Wear A White Robe; Road Block To Calvary; Never Say Goodbye; I'll Bear My Cross; Heart That Will Never Break Again. (Hubert, Donnie, Jeanette, James, Ronnie).

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1986 Silver Anniversary Live (Cooke Records/SC27): My Lord Will Send A Moses; Way Below The Bottom; When I Crossed That River; I Won't Be Coming Back Anymore; Nearer To Thee; City Limits Of Heaven; Victory Is Sweet; Nothing Can Hold Me Here; Stand By Me; Heaven Will Never Welcome A Sweeter Mama. (Hubert, Jeanette, James, Donnie, Ronnie).

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1988 Holding To Jesus (Cooke Records/SC29): Holding To Jesus; A True Lord; Climb The Mountain High; Fear Not, I'm Here; Dry Bones; Footsteps Of Mama; I'm Gonna Make It; Sinner's Prayer; There's No Place Like Home; Jesus Speaks Peace.

1989 Precious Memories (Cooke Records/SC-32): Precious Memories; How Beautiful Heaven Must Be; Lord, I'm Coming Home/Oh How I Love Jesus; The Unclouded Day; Swing Low Sweet Chariot; Take My Hand Precious Lord; Where We'll Never Grow Old; Farther Along; Heaven's Jubilee; O I Want To See Him.

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1990 Hope, Faith And Love (Cooke Records).

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1991 Just On Time (Cooke Records): My God Comes Just On Time; Won't Somebody Call My Name Tonight; Nearing That City; Lord It's Just Another Hill; Heading To The Promise Land; My Mama's Roses; Walking By Faith; The Greatest Gift Of All; Land Of The Living; I Didn't Leave Like I Came.

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1992 Come Up Higher (Cooke Records/SC34): Come Up Higher; Some Dawning; When He Beckons Me Home; Don't Ever Lose Sight Of Your Goal; The Last Mile Together; Earth's Loss, Heaven's Gain; Oh How It Makes Me Want To Go; Mama's Simple Prayer; In God's Eyes; A Crown Of Life.

1994 Heavenly Flight (Cooke Records/36): Eternity Has Begun; The King Is Coming Back; My Hearts Already Home; Calvary’s Battleground; Running My Last Mile Home; Let Me Rise; Precious Memories; Come Alive; Land Of My Dreams; All I Have To Offer Is Jesus; Heavenly Flight.

1995 A New Sunrise (Cooke Records/SC37): Empty Tomb; Dusty Roads; Just One Of His Children; Jesus Will Outshine Them All; Roadblock To Calvary?; You First Loved Me; A New Sunrise; I Saw The Face Of Jesus; When I Reach Home; Jesus Is More Than Enough.

1997 Crossing That River (Cooke Records/CD40397.3): No Grave For Momma; I Wonder What He Wrote; He Means The World To Me; I Have Family On Both Sides; At The Feet Of God; Don't Quit; Hold On To His Promise; I Will Rise Up From The Grave; Looking Beyond; I'm Crossing That River.

1997 Crossing That River, 35th Anniversary Special Edition (Cooke Records/SC39).

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1998 Running My Last Mile Home Live (Cooke Records/SC40): Running My Last Mile Home; I Want Us To Be Together In Heaven; Mama(Send Your Best Angel For Mama); You First Loved Me; Empty Tomb; Go Rest High On That Mountain; Chiseled In Stone; My God Still Moves; Ride Out The Storm; I Saw The Face Of Jesus; When I Reach Home; Roadblock To Calvary.

1998 Jesus Said It Is Finished (Cooke Records/70698.3): Jesus Said, "It Is Finished"; Momma's Memories; Old Time Way; Another Victory Is Mine; Heaven Is Waiting For Me; Where We'll Never Cry Again; On The Other Side Of Jordan, Trumpet In The Ground; Look For Me Around God's Throne; It's Done.

1999 See You In A Little While (Cooke Records/SC41): See You In A Little While(Cooke Records/CD60199.2): See You In A Little While; Never Say Good-Bye; The Bridge Over Jordan; Just A Brief Parting; Running On With Victory; Thinking Of Home; Where There's No Night; What A Prayer Can Do; He Still Looks Over Me; Cool Chilly Waters.

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2000 We're Closer To Home (Cooke Records/SC42): Place To Spend The Night; I'm Walking With Jesus; We Must Be Getting Closer To Home; I Claim The Blood; Waiting For My Ride; There's A Blessed Morning Coming; We're All Going Home; If You Fail To Reach Heaven; Outside The Gate; Grave Clothes.

2000 Bluegrass Gospel (Cooke Records/171600.4): Wayfaring Pilgrim; Mama's Gone Riding; I'm Coming Back To Your House; Hymns From Way Back Home; Designed By A King; This Little Light Of Mine; Shout and Shine; Mama Sings Amazing Grace; How Precious Is The Promise; Six Hours On The Cross.

2001 Songs About Mama (Cooke Records).

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2001 Good Morning Child (Cooke Records/SC44): On This Side Of The River; Good Morning Child; Jesus Paid It All; Stand By Me; I'll Fear Not Tomorrow; You'll Never Run Out Of The Blood; Shout Me Out; Mama's Empty Room; I'm Walking On Solid Ground; What A Time In Heaven.

2002 Sweet Tomorrow (Cooke Records/SC45).

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2003 I'm Going To A City (Cooke Records/SC-46): I'm Going To A City; Land Beyond The Stars; My Home's A Sight To See; When He Returns A Second Time; I'll Never Sing A Sad Song Again;In A Garden Of Stone; Jesus, Daddy, & You; The Tomb Is Empty; All I Need Is Jesus; Coming Down.

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2004 Bluegrass Gospel #2 (Cooke Records/SC47): Family Circle; The Old Crossroads; I Didn't Leave Like I Came; Sinners Prayer; Great High Mountain; Memories Of The Coalmines; In The Palm Of His Hand; I Can't Hardly Wait; Just A Grain Of Sand; I Won't Be Coming Back Anymore.

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2005 Dream Of Heaven (Cooke Records/SC48): Dream Of Heaven; She's Not Crying Anymore; We'll Go Home Together On A Cloud; While I Was Praying; He Was Willing To Go All The Way; This Journey; When I Crossed That River; The Borrowed Tomb; Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me; I'll Fly Away.

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2006 Nothing Can Hold Me Here (Cooke Records/SC49): I Wasn't There; No Longer Among The Dead; Walk Through The Gates; Stand Back; What's Wrong With Living Right; Good Times With Momma; I'll Not Be Dead; Banks Of The River; That Same Spirit; Nothing Can Hold Me Here.

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2008 When I Get There (Cooke Records/SC51).

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2009 Land Of My Dreams (Cooke Records/SC52).

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2010 Heaven's Sounding Sweeter (Cooke Records/SC53).

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2011 I'll Be There (Cooke Records/SC54): I'll Be There; Hold On A Little Longer; I'll Just Stop Long Enough; Don't Worry About Me; It's Me Again Lord; What A Day That Will Be; We'll Have A Reunion; Old Time Way; It Is Finished; Jesus Has Conquered The Grave.

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2012 50 Years Of Gospel Music (Cooke Records/SC55).

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201? Songs From The Appalachian Mountains (Cooke Records/SC56): The Eastern Gate; He Set Me Free; Amazing Grace; Rank Stranger To Me; I Feel Like Traveling On; Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior; Because He Lives; Oh I Want To See Him; Someone To Care; Will The Circle Be Unbroken; There's A Higher Power; Nothing But The Blood.
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