Stephen Cochran

Stephen Cochran
Stephen Cochran in Nashville Tennessee, January 2010
Background information
Birth name	Stephen E. Cochran II
Born	(1979-09-17) September 17, 1979 (age 37)
Origin	Pikeville, KY, United States
Genres	Country
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, harpsichord
Years active	2006 – present
Labels	Epic Records Aria Records Drive Music Nashville
Website	www.stephencochran.com

Stephen Cochran (born September 17, 1979) 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.

When Cochran was four 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, 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. He also has a cousin, Gary Cochran, who serves our country with pride. 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 songs 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 convoy security Sergeant Cochran was injured, leaving his back broken and his legs paralyzed. Stephen was told he would never walk 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 was restored when 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.