[3] His early musical influences were guitarists Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore and Tony MacAlpine.
Having finished high school, Cooley went to the local college and studied music theory.
His debut solo album was the self-titled Rusty Cooley, released in 2003 by Lion Music.
Cooley has collaborated with Dean Guitars to produce a signature seven-string model, of which several versions exist.
Cooley has many well-known students, such as Chris Storey/Cris Osuna (ex-All Shall Perish) and Mica Roth, a former member of Hybreed.
Cooley currently endorses Ormsby Guitars, EMG Pickups, Morley Pedals, GHS strings, VHT, Rocktron, Eventide, Maxon and more recently Randall Amplification.