Stephen Cochran performs on Fox News, New Year’s Eve 2007

Self-titled debut to release Aug 21 via Aria/Quarterback Records

Even before the official retail release date of his self-titled debut, Country singer/songwriter Stephen Cochran of Aria/Quarterback Records is making a big impression in every corner of the country music universe, notably at the 36th Annual CMA Music Festival and at XM Radio.

The CMA Music Festival took place June 7-10 in Nashville – weeks before the official August release of Cochran’s highly anticipated debut album – and the fan excitement generated by Cochran’s appearance at the event made him the week’s biggest-selling independent artist, according to Borders, the official music retailer of the Festival.

Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Cochran was the overall #2 best-selling artist at CMA Fest, coming in just behind Jason Michael Carroll and joining a list of top-sellers that includes established country acts like Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Big & Rich, Bucky Covington, Little Big Town, Sugarland, Josh Turner and Taylor Swift. Cochran’s CD was actually delayed in being received at CMA Fest by an entire day, but still managed to come in at #2 in sales for the four-day event.

Borders had Festival retail locations in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall at the Nashville Convention Center, at the Riverfront Stages and at the nightly concerts held at LP Field.

Just prior to the CMA Fest, on May 26, XM Radio announced its Top 50 most requested songs, and Cochran received the news that “Friday Night Fireside,” his undeniable debut single, was one of the satellite network’s Top 50 most requested songs.

With so much pre-release support, Cochran is chomping at the bit to take his no-holds-barred live show on the road in support of his debut release. Here are some current dates from Cochran’s website at www.stephencochran.com.

Jun. 21 Pensacola, FL Pensacola Naval Base
Jun. 30 Waycross, GA TBA
Jul. 4 Florence, AL Freedom Fest
Jul. 8 Terre Haute, IN St. Jude Car Show
Jul. 19 Monterey, CA TBA
Jul. 21 Morristown, OH Jamboree in the Hills
Aug. 24 Clarksville, AR Johnson County Fair
Sep. 8 Bowling Green, KY Benefit Performance
Sep. 12 Branson, MO Challenger Boats Corp. Event