Singer Uses Stage to Bring Attention to Servicemembers' Sacrifices

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Singer Uses Stage to Bring Attention to Servicemembers' Sacrifices
By Kristen Noel
Special to American Forces Press Service

April 14, 2009 - A former Marine sergeant turned country-music artist is using his newfound fame to urge Americans to do more to support the men and women returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having toured with major acts, including Toby Keith and Alabama frontman Randy Owen, and landing three of his own songs on the national country music charts, Stephen Cochran says everything he has planned for the next 10 years involves rising to the highest level of music he can, while working to improve the quality of life for severely wounded veterans and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I want to bring attention to that great 1 percent ... it takes to stand up and defend a whole country," he said. "One percent of our population does that, so why can't the other 99 percent of it take care of them?"

Cochran's dedication to the livelihood of combat veterans stems from his own personal story of severe injury while serving in Afghanistan.

"Everything that I can do, I believe, I have to go through before I can know what my mission is – like being injured," said the singer, who was told he'd never walk again in 2004. "I had to be injured to know that our men and women aren't being taken care of properly."

Called to Serve

As the son of a songwriter who grew up in America's "music city" of Nashville, Tenn., Cochran had a country-music career in his sights all his life. He had a bedroom full of instruments as a child – given to him as presents instead of toys – and he made his first radio appearance with his father at age 3, singing the Alabama hit "Dixieland Delight."

"I don't think that there's ever been an aspect of my life that hasn't been surrounded by music," he said, "or that I haven't ever known that's what I always wanted to do."
go here for more
Singer Uses Stage to Bring Attention to Servicemembers' Sacrifices