Introducing Stephen Cochran

8/27/2007 Kristen Scherer/CMA Close Up News Service Family tradition and true-to-life stories have been at the heart of great country Music, and with his self-titled debut album (out Aug. 28), Stephen Cochran brings them together in 13 country songs that seamlessly blend the old and the new. Born in Pikeville, Ky., and raised in the heart of Nashville's creative community, Stephen watched his Dad, Steve Cochran, wrestle with Music Row's starmaking machinery as a struggling songwriter and artist. "That was my school, coming home and watching Dad practice and play and write," Stephen says. "There's a song on the album called 'Old School' that says, 'I remember what Daddy told me, you've got to play it how it feels and just always keep it real.'" Stephen had just commited himself to the music business when history postponed his fledgling career on Sept. 11, 2001. He joined the Marines light armored reconnaissance division and served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, losing a dear friend to enemy fire and breaking his back in the process. Dedicating his recovery time to his deferred music dreams, Stephen soon amassed the catalog of songs that would attract the attention of Aria/Quarterback Records Nashville. The leadoff single “Friday Night Fireside” was written by Butter, Scott Harris, Vencent Hickerson and Isaac Rich (brother of Big & Rich's John Rich). IN HIS OWN WORDS: Who is your musical hero? "Elvis Presley." Which song would you secretly like to cover? "Tracy Lawrence's 'Find Out Who Your Friends Are.' I love that song." What CD is on your stereo? "Waylon Jennings with Willie Nelson, If I Can Find a Clean Shirt."  What do you sing in the shower? "'Lonesome Dove' by Garth Brooks." What moment in your life would you relive if you could? "May 7, 2004, the night that my friend, Ron Payne, was killed in enemy fire in Afghanistan." Which mode of transportation do you prefer - planes, trains or automobiles? "Planes, only because I tend to be impatient." On the Web: www.stephencochran.com © 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.