Stephen Cochran
Encyclopedia
Stephen Cochran is an American Country music singer and songwriter. In 2009 Stephen was named as a spokesman for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Research and Development. The VA and Cochran collaborated to produce a music video for Veterans who need help.
to Tennessee he was raised in Nashville's songwriting and recording community. He watched his Dad, Steve Cochran, wrestle with the machinery of Music Row as a struggling songwriter and artist. Country greats Bobby Bare
and the late Del Reeves
are just a few of the characters that influenced Cochran's early music home life. Cochran cultivated an interest in music beginning at Hunters Lane Comprehensive High School
in Nashville, Tennessee
. Later, he honed his craft in his college days at Western Kentucky University
with a development deal with Epic Records
. He worked his way through school writing and playing guitar. While at WKU he also played rugby and lacrosse. After September 2001 he joined the United States Marine Corps
and served his country as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a part of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
; 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
. While on combat patrol Sergeant Cochran was injured in combat leaving his back broken. His injuries left his legs paralyzed. Stephen was told he would never walk again and he was sent home to America. Once he arrived home the search for a solution began. Finally, after a long struggle, Cochran's ability to walk was restored. Doctors at the Nashville VA Medical Center performed an experimental procedure called kyphoplasty. After an extensive rehabilitation Stephen was able to return to an active lifestyle. As part of his recovery Cochran refocused his energy on Country music.
He wrote with his friend from the band Trailer Choir
Vinny Hickerson and eventually they started their own writers group. In 2007 he began Armed Forces Entertainment
tours of the Middle East, scores of benefit appearances on behalf of his fellow veterans, and constant roadwork in support of his acclaimed, self-titled debut album. In November 2008 Cochran appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to promote the second annual “Salute to the Troops" benefit concert.
In 2009 the VA
asked Stephen to be the face of their research and development. Cochran wrote their new theme song, titled "Hope." and the VA is using it in their national campaign to help Veterans. The VA hospitals and patients are the backdrop for the video.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
(VA) Research and Development. The VA and Cochran collaborated to produce a music video for Veterans who need help.
History and Music career
When Cochran was 4 years old, he began spending summers with his grandparents in Waterford, Michigan. Some of Stephens closest friends are from that time in his life and considers Michigan just as much a hometown as Kentucky and Tennessee. After moving from Pikeville, KentuckyPikeville, Kentucky
Pikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky. The population was 6,903 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:On March 25, 1822, the county's government officials decided to build a new county seat named Liberty, one and one-half mile below the mouth of the Russell Fork...
to Tennessee he was raised in Nashville's songwriting and recording community. He watched his Dad, Steve Cochran, wrestle with the machinery of Music Row as a struggling songwriter and artist. Country greats Bobby Bare
Bobby Bare
Robert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:...
and the late Del Reeves
Del Reeves
Franklin Delano Reeves , better known as Del Reeves, was an American country music singer, best known for his "girl-watching" novelty songs of the 1960s including "Girl on the Billboard" and "The Belles of Southern Bell"...
are just a few of the characters that influenced Cochran's early music home life. Cochran cultivated an interest in music beginning at Hunters Lane Comprehensive High School
Hunters Lane Comprehensive High School
Hunters Lane Comprehensive High School is a public school in Nashville, Tennessee, operated by Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. The school is located at 36°16'45.16"N 86°45'8.63"W. The school opened in 1986 and had its first graduating class in 1987...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. Later, he honed his craft in his college days at Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
with a development deal with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. He worked his way through school writing and playing guitar. While at WKU he also played rugby and lacrosse. After September 2001 he joined the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and served his country as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a part of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a mechanized infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon system is the LAV-25 and they fall under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and II Marine Expeditionary Force. The unit is based out of the Marine Corps Base...
; 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
The I Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group...
. While on combat patrol Sergeant Cochran was injured in combat leaving his back broken. His injuries left his legs paralyzed. Stephen was told he would never walk again and he was sent home to America. Once he arrived home the search for a solution began. Finally, after a long struggle, Cochran's ability to walk was restored. Doctors at the Nashville VA Medical Center performed an experimental procedure called kyphoplasty. After an extensive rehabilitation Stephen was able to return to an active lifestyle. As part of his recovery Cochran refocused his energy on Country music.
He wrote with his friend from the band Trailer Choir
Trailer Choir
Trailer Choir is an American country music duo composed of vocalists Vinny Hickerson and Marc Fortney, known by their respective stage names Big Vinny and Butter. The group began as trio with Crystal Hoyt and was signed to Show Dog Nashville, a label owned by Toby Keith, in 2006...
Vinny Hickerson and eventually they started their own writers group. In 2007 he began Armed Forces Entertainment
Armed Forces Entertainment
Armed Forces Entertainment is the official United States Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel overseas. Armed Forces Entertainment hosts over 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching over 500,000 personnel at 355 military installations...
tours of the Middle East, scores of benefit appearances on behalf of his fellow veterans, and constant roadwork in support of his acclaimed, self-titled debut album. In November 2008 Cochran appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to promote the second annual “Salute to the Troops" benefit concert.
In 2009 the VA
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
asked Stephen to be the face of their research and development. Cochran wrote their new theme song, titled "Hope." and the VA is using it in their national campaign to help Veterans. The VA hospitals and patients are the backdrop for the video.
Singles
- "Friday Night Fireside" (2007)
- "Everything We Knew" (2008)
- "Thinkin I'm Drinkin" (2008)
- "Wal-Mart Flowers" (2009)
- "Alone On Christmas" (2010)
- "Hope" (2010)