Stephen Cochran

Stephen Cochran (born September 17, 1979) is an American country music singer and songwriter.^[1][2] In 2009 Stephen was named as a spokesman for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research and Development.^[3][4] The VA and Cochran collaborated to produce a music video for veterans who need help.^[5]

History and music career

Stephen Cochran at the CMA Music Fest / Fan Fair, June 2009

Stephen Cochran was primarily raised by his single mother Janey Cochran, however when Cochran was four years old, he began spending summers with his grandparents Charles and Lois Maynard 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 Eastern, Kentucky to Tennessee he was raised in Nashville's songwriting and recording community. He watched his father, 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. He worked his way through school writing songs and playing guitar. While at WKU he also played 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 convoy security Cochran was injured, leaving his back broken and without the use of his legs for some time. Stephen was told he may never walk without pain again and he was sent home to the United States. Once he arrived home the search for a solution began. Finally, after a long struggle, Cochran's ability to walk without pain was restored when doctors at the Nashville VA Medical Center performed an experimental procedure called kyphoplasty.^[4] 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 teamed up with other country music artists and began performing with John Rich and the MuzikMafia around Nashville. 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.^[6]

In 2009 the VA asked Stephen to be the face of their research and development. Cochran and Mark Melloan wrote "Hope," which the VA used as a theme song in its national campaign to help veterans. The VA hospitals and patients are the backdrops for the video.

I'm one of the only combat vets from this era in country music, and I need to use that platform to help things change and give hope back.

— Stephen Cochran, News Channel 5 WTVF, February 11, 2010 ^[7]

In 2012, Cochran signed a production contract with New Voice Entertainment.

Stephen recently formed the live-music group titled "Stephen Cochran Project" including bandmate "Smitty" Byrne (BGV/Bass)//

The Stephen Cochran Project released their first self-titled album in 2015.

In 2016 Stephen and fellow Marines, Daniel Dean and Tyler Jay, formed and began touring in support of their not for profit #Stop22Tour. They use their songs and songwriting to help other's understand veterans better. "It also helps our fellow veterans heal through our music", said Dean at their last concert in 2017 at the Fonanel. Look for their "in the round" style concerts in several parts of the country and overseas in coming months.

2017 Stephen teamed up with fellow Veteran and longtime friends Michael Hamilton and Daniel Broadrick to put out a non-genre EP titled "American Loser", it includes 6 new tracks all written or co-written by Cochran and Hamilton directed at helping other veterans heal and educate civilians about the veteran plight.

Also in 2017,Stephen found out he would be a father of a new son SC3 with wife Megan Rae Cochran who is also the Executive Assistant to the Board of Veterans for the state of Tennessee. The two also raise their children Addalyn Rae and Aaron Ryder together in their home outside Nashville.

Cochran, Hamilton and Broderick are hoping to help MANY veterans navigate the songwriting maze in Nashville.

Discography

References

External links

• Official website
• Stephen Cochran on ReverbNation
• Stephen Cochran at MTV

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stephen Cochran.