Charles Cochran, 71, Country music pianist, arranger dies
wazzzy
Charles Cochran, the pianist and arranger who contributed to popular
recordings by Garth Brooks and Don Williams, died Thursday of injuries
sustained in an automobile accident. He was 71.
Born in Midway, Penn., Mr. Cochran was a first-call player and
arranger for hit producers Allen Reynolds, "Cowboy" Jack Clement and
Garth Fundis, for whom he did session work on records by everyone from
Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to Crystal Gayle and Charley Pride.
Mr. Cochran's melodic touch graced not only the work of country's
biggest stars, but also some of Nashville's critically acclaimed
troubadours, John Prine, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt among them.
An accomplished tunesmith, Mr. Cochran wrote songs that were recorded
by artists ranging from Ronnie Spector to Dr. Hook.
Along Music Row, Mr. Cochran was known for the way he relished life
and for his outsized sense of humor. "He was vivacious, gregarious and
very lighthearted-a funny, funny guy," said Fundis. "He recognized the
beauty of life. He didn't miss much."
As a player and arranger, Mr. Cochran also knew when too much was too
much, Fundis added.
"Charles was a jazz musician at heart who learned through folks like
Jack Clement how important simplicity was-economy of notes. He strived
to frame things in the simplest of ways without getting in the way of
what was there."
A classically trained musician, Mr. Cochran started playing the piano
at the age of 4. He later toured with the band of his high school
classmate, the pop singer Bobby Vinton. During his years of military
service he taught at the Navy School of Music, then located in
Washington, DC, and played in the U.S. Navy Band.
Prior to moving to Nashville for good in 1971, Mr. Cochran was a
session musician in New York, where he continued to work, playing
piano on beer commercials for Miller and Budweiser and on the hit TV
series The Incredible Hulk.
"Charles Cochran could play anything with anybody," said Clement, his
collaborator and friend for nearly four decades. "He was the greatest
musician I have ever known, a true musical genius."
Mr. Cochran is survived by his wife of 26 years, Catherine (Woodall)
Cochran; his brother Jimmy Cochran of Hatsboro, Penn., and sister
Kathleen Zimbicki of Pittsburgh, Penn.; his daughter Laurie Draves of
DeBary, Fla., son David Cochran of Pensacola, Fla.; and granddaughter
Heidi Korndorffer of Seattle, Wash.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Neuhoff
Complex at 1513 Adams Street in Germantown. Contributions may be made
to the Charles Cochran Memorial Fund, Suntrust Bank, 1026 17th Ave.,
S., Nashville, TN 37212.
By BILL FRISKICS-WARREN
Staff Writer