About Me
WHO AM I
David B. Hooten is a multi-Grammy and Emmy-nominated musician, celebrated as the “musician’s musician” and the “Maker of Memories.” Born in Frascati, Italy, into an Air Force family, Hooten’s early life took him across various cities in the U.S. and Europe. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from North Texas State University and a Master’s Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Oklahoma. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to music, Hooten, along with Pat Boone, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor from the University of North Texas.
As a child, Hooten began his musical journey with trumpet lessons from local music store owner Merle Brandon, who taught him without charge, saying,
“Do what I tell you, and that is payment enough.” Hooten’s education continued under the guidance of the renowned trumpet instructor Don “Jake” Jacoby.
Later, David studied with renowned trumpet instructors Dr. Jacob Larson and Dr. Leonard Candelaria.
The Trumpet Shall Sound (1989): Debut album on his label, D.B.H. Productions, Inc., featuring the hit single “Amazing Grace.”
The Trumpets of Christmas (1989) – David B. Hooten’s 3rd album, featuring a beautiful collection of classic Christmas carols arranged for the trumpet.
From Kiev with Love (2000): Solo album with the Kiev Symphony Orchestra featuring romantic classical and opera arias adapted for trumpet.
Timeless (September 2002): Duet album with guitarist Edgar Cruz, this album became a “Best Seller”,although recorded and mastered in only two hours!
Sweet Georgia Blue (November 2003): Another duet album with guitarist Edgar Cruz.
Young Again (2004): A reflective album of originally composed pieces by David B. Hooten. Most of these were composed by David’ prior to his 9th birthday.
Dixieland Praise (2005): Gospel hymns in a Dixieland style with clarinetist Bob Snyder.
A Grand Christmas (2006): Christmas favorites in a jazz style with clarinetist Bob Snyder.
Trumpets of Glory (January 2010): A stirring album that showcases Hooten’s trumpet mastery. Includes powerful trumpet performances of inspirational gospel hymns in many styles, with full orchestra and choir.
Songs for Someone (2018): Hooten’s 20th album. All originally composed by David B. Hooten.
Renaissance Man (November 2019): Hooten’s 21st album, a compilation of original and live recordings from all of his other albums.
Footprints of God (2020): A Gospel-narrated album, narrated by Pat Boone and arranged and performed by Hooten and Dr. James Faulconer.
David B Hooten’s illustrious career includes worldwide performances as a guest trumpet soloist with prestigious symphony orchestras, such as The Kiev Symphony Orchestra, The Garland Symphony Orchestra, The East Texas Symphony Orchestra, The Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, and Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Mormon Tabernacle Youth Orchestra and Choir in the Mormon Tabernacle, The Thailand National Symphony, and many more. He has been a featured soloist for notable events, including a gala in Thailand for the Queen’s 60th birthday. David has also performed for, now Sainted Pope John Paul II, in the Vatican.
Hooten has been a prominent figure in numerous significant events, including performing “Amazing Grace” at the Memorial Ceremony for the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and playing the National Anthem at events like the Olympic Games, the New York Yankees at old Yankees Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, just to name a few. Hooten was the official trumpeter for the Arnold Palmer Cup Golf Tournament for almost 20 years, performing all of the anthems for all of the countries being represented. Hooten’s pro-am team won the Arnold Palmer Cup at the Stanwich Club on June 8, 2011 and was handed the trophy personally by Arnold Palmer.
From 1999-2008, he hosted “Sunday Sonrise,” Oklahoma’s highest-rated Sunday morning radio show. Hooten’s performances extend to TV appearances, such as on “The Hour of Power” from the Crystal Cathedral, where he has been featured 22 times on the show.
Hooten established The Children’s Music Education Foundation, providing musical instruments to aspiring young artists, and founded the David and Whitney Hooten Foundation to support music opportunities for children. He has been involved in fundraising events such as the Red Tie Night for the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund and was the title sponsor of the 2003 David B. Hooten Invitational Golf Tournament at Balmar Gold Course owned by Toby Keith
In addition to his musical career, Hooten purchased and operated Mama Lucia’s Italian Restaurant from his mother from 1993 to 2008 and now markets Meat Sauce under the Hooten Jazz Kitchen label. He also ventured into politics, winning the elections for Oklahoma County Clerk in November 2016 and 2020, where he modernized the office and saved taxpayers millions of dollars.