Musician of the Month:Taylor Cochran
Crockett student saddles up for country music success
By Josh Mancuso
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Cochran released his first album, “Travelin’ Light,” last November, and is already planning a second album release for July 3. The
CD release will take place during Jonesborough Days, which Cochran will be
headlining. This talented young musician is more than 10 years younger than all
of his band members
– the High Road Band. Currently known as T.C. and the High Road Band, in July,
Cochran will simply use his name as the band
’s title.
Cochran’s band is: Troy Whitson – lead guitarist and producer, Travis Padgett – bass guitar, and Mark Bennett – drums. Whitson also owns Galaxy Studios where Cochran records his albums. The
country music sensation started playing guitar three years ago, with the help
of James Storie, an extremely talented guitarist, according to Cochran.
“James told me if he was going to teach me, then I would have to love it,” said Cochran. “A year and a half later I started writing some songs and playing in the talent
shows at Crockett. My first gig was for a teacher
’s banquet at the Johnson City Country Club.”
Since then, the up-and-coming country music sensation has played many shows
throughout the area, including Jonesborough Days and the Rhythm
& Roots Festival in Bristol. He was also invited to the White House for a Country
Music Writer
’s Workshop hosted by country music superstars Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss, and
Dan Tyminski.
Of course, friends and family have played a major part in Cochran’s success. Road trips are filled with parents, aunts and uncles, and
grandparents driving three Nissan Titan trucks donning Cochran
’s name on the back windshield.
“Lots of people have had faith in me,” he said. “Nancy Colburn at the Cranberry Thistle has a lot of contacts and has helped me
along the way, too.
”
Cochran’s musical influences include Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and
George Strait. When this young performer begins belting country notes from his
mouth, his sound is reminiscent of all four predecessors. However, Cochran
’s voice is unique and well beyond his years, offering the listener a deep and
smooth country melody that reveals his passion for music and writing and his
love for life. Two songs on his upcoming album are sure to be fan favorites:
“Nobody Gets Out Alive” and “I Didn’t Like That, But I Loved Her.” When asked about where he gets his inspiration for writing songs, Cochran
replied with one word.
“Women,” he said with a smile. “My first album was just about what was going on in my life at that time.”
Cochran has decided there is no other feeling in the world like getting up in
front of a crowd for the first time and playing a brand new song.
“It’s great to hear people respond with, ‘I really love that song,’” Cochran said. “Without people, it’s not really worth anything. At my first CD release show in Clintwood, Virginia,
I was on stage thanking everyone for coming, and a couple who had driven all
the way from Florida stood up and said,
‘No, thank you.’ That was a really special moment.”
After graduation Cochran plans to hit the road and officially begin his journey
into the professional music industry.
“I want to go as far as I can take it,” said the 17-year old Cochran. “I believe everyone has a purpose and I think this is my purpose. Everything has
happened so fast and worked out really well. I think when you find what you
’re meant to do in life, you should grab hold of it. I’ve come too far to quit now.”
Visit Taylor Cochran’s band on the web at www.tcandthehighroadband.com.
