Music and motorcycles are lifelong passions for country artist Devin Cooper, and they merge together perfectly in his annual fundraiser – Ride to Remember, supporting the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Cooper saw the impact of music on Alzheimer’s and dementia patients as a teen when he volunteered at a continuing care centre and played for the patients. “I played an old Johnny Cash tune and an old Elvis tune, and these folks were virtually non-responsive to most things that were happening in the world around them. And I started these songs and they started clapping, started singing along and it just brought them right back to that moment where they knew everything that was going on,” Cooper told CTV News. Ride to Remember raised a modest $1,500 in its first year. In year seven, Cooper has a much more ambitious target - $100,000 - and strong support from fellow musicians. “Very, very fortunate this year, we have (CCMA winner) Tenille Townes, Jess Moskaluke, Mariya Stokes and myself that are all going to be sharing some stories and sharing some songs,” Cooper said. After motorcycle enthusiasts have taken a ride in the Alberta foothills, Ride to Remember wraps up the evening of September 13th at the National Music Centre. For more information about the Ride to Remember, go here.
