Mr. Cochran is a native of Tulsa Oklahoma where he learned his craft as a working musician. Performing with a couple of highly regarded groups over the years, he gained experience and knowledge of what it takes to make music. He earned his BA in Music Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1978. He taught two years before going out on the road playing music around the country. After getting off the road in 1985, he settled in Tucson, Arizona and began working on Davis Monthan Air Force Base as parts manager for Vehicle Maintenance. He stayed in that position for 16 years and during that time, continued to play bass and sang for local bands here in Tucson. In 2001, he was encouraged to go back to teaching by close friends and he took steps to renew his credentials when Nogales Unified School District got in touch with him and he was offered a position at Carpenter Middle School there. For eleven years he taught at several middle schools in the area and eventually became the director of bands for Nogales High School for five years. 

He retired in 2012 but got bored and obtained a position at Tucson Unified School District where he stayed for three years teaching middle school and elementary school band.  In 2015 he was offered a position at Coronado K-8 and Copper Creek Elementary schools teaching instrumental music. He is now back into semi-retirement teaching only at Coronado K-8.

Besides his work as a teacher, he also works part time as a worship leader at a local church and still plays bass and sings with a local rock band. He lives in Tucson with his wife, Brenda, and their cat, Rose.