A Special Interview with
US
Marine Veteran Singer/Songwriter Stephen Cochran
by Cindy B. Gordon |
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  Stephen
Cochran was born in Pikeville, KY and
raised in Nashville, TN. The L.A.R.
Recon Scout Marine Team Leader was left paralyzed
from the waist down after sustaining injuries in
Afghanistan. Cochran used a wheelchair for nine
months. An experimental surgery by the Nashville
VA returned him to an active lifestyle... and the
stage.
CBG: Hi Stephen. Thank you for
taking the time to do this interview. What were
the toughest parts while in Afghan?
Stephen: I fought in many
different parts of Afghan but BY FAR the Helmand
Province is the toughest. We went Recon Scout
Proper to invade Helmand and I was a part of the
Elite 22 Marine Expeditionary Force, where we
eliminated and/or captured more taliban in 3
months than any other unit to that date had done
in three years. However, we lost one of the
greatest men I've ever met or known. Cpl Ron
Payne gave his life to save the life of one of
our crewman and the other Recon scouts he was
operating with. I was one of the first ones to
him and after watching this great man fall, I
started writing, "When A Hero Falls" in
his honor, not knowing less than a month later,
that I myself would be severely injured. By
Afghan, we were seasoned warriors or at least as
seasoned as you can get, being from the United
States. War was nothing new - coming home without
six of us due to injuries or death was new...and
it will affect every man I served in Afghan with
til the day I die.
CBG: What are some of your
current projects?
Stephen: I'm always busy lol,
mostly working for my fellow Vets. I am blessed
to have a career that I've always wanted, but I
want to use this platform for more than just fame
or fortune. If we Veterans don't look out for
each other, I'm not sure we have anyone
especially in Government who will. My motto is
the squeaky wheel gets the grease - I plan on
being the squeakiest wheel ever heard till the 22
vets who commit suicide each day are
non-existent. I love working with the great
Semper Fi Fund as well as many other great 501c3
organizations. But by far, the Semper Fi Fund is
near and dear to my heart, since I was one of the
first Marines they helped after forming.
CBG: What is it like being the
National Spokesman to Veterans Affairs R&D?
Stephen: It has been amazing and
I think we have accomplished alot together since
they named me in 2009. Everything from
collaboration between DoD and VA to couples
therapy for non-married or engaged couples.
It’s all about holding our country and
government accountable to the promises they made
(to) our fighting men and women. Its gotta start
somewhere, why not with me....or you? We as vets
are still in a fight, it's just now at home and
sometimes inside us. But the wars are far from
over. My message to other troops is, “Put
the thought of discharged, disabled or retired
out of your mind and realize we still must serve,
we still must fight. This is a call to arms to
save your brothers your sisters.” I've
officially lost more friends to suicide than I
have to Iraq or Afghan. We as Vets are going
extinct and no one but us seems to care. It's a
sad sad time for the warrior in this country.
CBG: Who are some of your
favorite bands & artists?
Stephen: Well I have to say
first and foremost Garth Brooks is the reason I'm
even in this business, I watched him when I was
young and knew that's what I wanted to do. Also
Willie, Waylon, Kris and Johnny, just because,
well they are Bad-asses and completely broke all
the rules in order to make pure music they loved.
But I'm also a Rap fan which most wouldn't
expect. But lets just say I wasn't listening to
the Dixie Chicks in combat. 50 Cent's song
"Many Men" definitely got played
through a few fire fights.
CBG: What’s behind your
latest single, "Gasoline On A Goodbye?"
Stephen: "Gasoline on a
Goodbye" is our first single of this album
and we are stoked. We did a Promo video with the
song and leaked it to you-tube to see what a
response we would get, and the fans spoke loud
with an instant 13,000 views. So we are excited
to shoot the music video towards the end of May,
the song will be available for download April
25th on Itunes and Amazon. This is one of the
three songs that I did not write on the album;
starting out, I wanted to write them ALL..so it
says alot for the three songs I did not - they
were that special that I HAD to cut them. We
brought in some of the greatest upcoming
producers in country music on this and other
songs on this album. New Voice Entertainment has
not only been building their name as producers,
but as the backing band for Jason Aldean. As for
what it’s about, well that's up to you and
everyone who listens to any of our songs. I can
only tell you what it meant to me - it’s now
yours and all the listeners, so now it's what it
means to you. That's what's great about the
healing of music - it can mean multiple things to
multiple people, but the healing is the same. In
this case though, the parties will be rocking.
CBG: Are you touring at all in
2014?
Stephen: Yes, we are actually
doing three tours in one year, with the upcoming
"LeatherNeck Tour" which we have done
for 3 years now, playing Marine and Navy Bases
across the U.S and Overseas. I’m still a
Marine, so getting to play for my brothers and
sister is a great honor. Then touring on our own
to some of our favorite fairs, festivals and
venues through our great booking agent Ken
Mcmeans Presents, and our agent Kevin Rock. We
have a show on May 9th very close to my hometown
in Kentucky. It’s actually in Sandy Hook, KY
where the late Keith Whitley was from; we are
going back with Keith’s son Jesse Keith
Whitley to revive an old tradition his dad did
annually, called the “Keith Whitley
Homecoming Concerts”. It is the 25th
anniversary of Keith Whitley’s death and it
is going to be a very special event. I know we
have fans from as far as 10 hours away driving in
for this one.
CBG: Sounds like a fun event! I
know you’re working on a new CD entitled,
“Stephen Cochran Project.” When is that
scheduled to be released?
Stephen: The new CD,
"Stephen Cochran Project" will be out
later this Summer. It’s different from my
first release "Stephen Cochran" because
it’s a band LP - we did everything from
writing to arranging to even mixing this album -
it’s a true work of love. For more info on
myself and the band go to www.StephenCochran.com
CBG: Can you tell our readers
more about the Semper Fi Fund?
Stephen: They are a great
organization who helped me in so many ways. I was
one of the first Marines they helped after
forming. I was in the hospital and my mom
couldn't get to me, so they flew her in and since
all my clothes had been cut off of me after I was
injured and I couldn't walk; they bought and
brought clothes to me and made sure I had all I
needed. I’ve never forgotten that and have
been honored to have been able to support them
and play music for two different Commandants of
Marines in their honor. For more info please go
here. www.semperfifund.org
CBG: Thank you Stephen. We wish
you much success with your latest single,
“Gasoline on a Goodbye”, your soon to
be released CD, “Stephen Cochran
Project” and all your work for the Veterans. |
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