Jamie Cooper Biography

Jamie Cooper is an American journalist, famously known as the “Country Rover,” who recently returned to WAAY 31 News as the host of the Alabama Original: The Country Rover segment. He returned to the station in November 2023 after a 30-year hiatus. This is his second time at the station, having worked here as a feature reporter from 1975 to 1992.

Jamie Cooper Education

Cooper graduated from Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, Alabama.

Jamie Cooper Career

Cooper, famously known as the “Country Rover,” recently returned to WAAY 31 News as the host of the Alabama Original: The Country Rover segment. The segment airs on Fridays during WAAY 31 News at 11 a.m. and 4:00 p.m, with repeat airings on Saturday mornings. On the show, he travels all over North Alabama to produce upbeat, nostalgic feature stories that focus on the unique people, deep-rooted local traditions, and hidden gems in the Tennessee Valley.

Cooper has worked in local TV in North Alabama for over 3 decades. Immediately after graduating from college, his very first job was working on a garbage truck in Madison County for three weeks. He then began at E-TV in Huntsville in 1974 before moving to WAAY in 1975. He spent 17 years at WAAY, where he began the WAAY Too Early show and held various positions.

During his first stint at WAAY, he met a man who could make chainsaw noises with his mouth, did stories about dogs chewing on exhaust pipes, went to a nudist camp in Murfreesboro, flew with the Thunderbirds in ’77, and wrestled a bear on live TV. In 1982, he covered stories like Samson the Monster Truck, created by Don Maples. He had told about 800 stories by the time he left the station. In 1999, he joined WHDF-TV in Florence while continuing his work at WAFF-TV in Huntsville.

Cooper co-owns and co-operates ZTV-11 with his wife, Gloria. In this capacity, he focuses on the morning show and marketing, while she handles daily operations. They also host and produce Cooper & Company, the morning show that airs live Tuesday through Friday at 6 a.m. and replays nightly at 9 pm. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, he featured local people and places in the Tennessee Valley.

Jamie Cooper Age

Cooper was born on August 30th, but has not yet disclosed the year he was born. However, he might be in his 70s. Cooper celebrates his birthday on August 30th, as evidenced by WAAY’s Instagram post on August 30, 2025, captioned, “Happy birthday, Jamie Cooper! We hope you have a great day!”

Jamie Cooper Height

Cooper stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.

Jamie Cooper Family

Cooper has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight; hence, he has not disclosed any information about his parents. It is also not known if Cooper has any siblings.

Jamie Cooper Wife

Cooper lives on Lake Ida in Athens with his wife, Gloria. The couple is very involved in the Limestone County community. Together, they own and operate ZTV-11 in Athens, Alabama. They also host and produce the morning show Cooper & Company.

Jamie Cooper Net Worth

Cooper has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million – $5 million, which he has earned through being a journalist.

Jamie Cooper Salary

Cooper earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.