Injured Marine to host free concert in Arlington Heights

On 9/11, Stephen Cochran had just signed a deal with Sony Records and was a few credits away from graduating college.

Coming from a military family, the terrorist attacks shook him.

Cochran switched futures.

He dropped out of college, got out of his record deal and joined the Marines.

The Kentucky native was shipped directly to Iraq. He returned safely, but he wasn't so lucky on his next overseas tour in Afghanistan. After losing a good friend to enemy fire, Cochran returned home in 2004 paralyzed and with a back broken in six places.

"I don't remember anything, just a loud boom," said Cochran via a telephone call. "I landed on a Jeep. I was paralyzed for a year."

As he prepares for the release of his first record album, Cochran is taking his act on the road. He's already toured with Toby Keith and will join a list of other country stars this summer.

But on May 23, Cochran will play to a much smaller crowd -- in a free show at 6:30 p.m. at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights.

He's giving the concert to benefit Salute, a nonprofit group that supports active military personnel, veterans and their families. Arlington Heights residents Will and Mary Beth Beiersdorf founded Salute in 2003.

The concert will precede Salute's fifth annual run and walk the next day in Arlington Heights, said Mary Beth Beiersdorf.

"He is just doing this out of the blessing of his heart," she said. "He's flying in the day of the concert and is leaving 6 a.m. the next day for another show."

Cochran, 27, didn't have to think long after Beiersdorf asked him to perform.

"The military is my family and I help my family any way I can," he said.

In the explosion that broke his back, Cochran also lost a finger on his left hand. The toes on his right foot are still numb.

"People thought I'd still be able to sing, but not perform," he said. "But I can -- I jump around and run all over the stage."

Cochran's songs revolve around popular country music themes like small-town life, heartbreak and his buddies. His songs include "Four Chords and Seven Beers Ago," "When a Hero Falls" and "Two Shades of Lipstick."

While in Arlington Heights, Cochran will also judge the finalists of the "Salute Idol" competition. The finalists will be chosen earlier in May at Harry's of Arlington.

Cochran will have a special guest at the concert. The Marine who saved his life is from the Chicago area and will be at the show, he said.

"Without him, we would not be having this conversation right now," he said.

For more information on Cochran's show, the Salute run and walk or the "Idol" contest, go to www.saluteinc.org.