Cochran Country / Stephen Cochran Fan Site - New Release Walmart Flowera

Derek Parnell is from the small town of Linden, TN located about 93 miles from Music City, USA. Derek fell in love with music at an early age primarily because of his father. Derek’s dad worked for many great legends such as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and Verne Gosdin just to name a few. His father started playing drums at an early age and still continues to do so. Originally, Derek wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and play the drums also. That was until he heard the sound of the lead guitar and saw the colossal stage presence of guys such as Slash of Guns n Roses, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Angus Young of AC/DC, and Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica. Derek received his first guitar, an Epiphone SG, at the tender age of 12. At first, Derek wasn’t really interested in playing or even listening to country music. He was more interested in learning AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Metallica. Something about the lifestyle and sound of rock and roll was just more appealing to him. As one listens to Derek’s playing, his southern-rock and blues based influences become apparent.
As he got a little older, his musical horizon started to broaden and he started listening to and appreciating a vast array of music. He started listening to more and more country music and immediately fell in love with the playing styles of Steve Wariner, Chet Atkins, Roy Nichols, Brent Mason, and most of all, Brad Paisley. He also became very fond of the honest, heartbroken, and small town way of life based stories that accompany many country music songs of the past and present.
Derek attended his first year of college at Austin Peay State University where his major was guitar performance. He studied classical guitar, was part of the guitar ensemble, took class piano, and also intro to music theory. Once he recognized that Austin Peay didn’t teach anything but classical music and that the university had nothing to do with recording or music business, he transferred to Middle Tennessee State University for his second year of college where he is currently studying to be a recording industry major with a minor in music business.

At 19 years old, Derek was invited to play with the up-and-coming Aria recording artist Stephen Cochran. He has had a blast so far being able to explore the great city of Nashville and play in many of its bars and clubs. He has also learned a lot about music and the way the music business works. Derek has always wanted to play music and be in a traveling band, and with Stephen Cochran by his side, it looks as though he may get his wish. Derek has become great friends with Stephen and the New Country Outlaws and he hopes to be able to stand by Stephen’s side and bring the music to the people for years to come.