On Tuesday, November 24th, the Daviess County CEO Cohort welcomed Christian recording artist Michael Cochren of Cochren & Co. for an unforgettable morning of storytelling, wisdom, and inspiration. Fresh off the success of his band's first number one hit, "Running Home," Michael opened up about his musical journey and the lessons he's learned along the way.
Michael's passion for music started young—back in 5th grade, when he first dreamed of becoming a musical artist. That dream didn't come easy or fast, but his unwavering commitment to it brought him to where he is today. His central message to the cohort was simple yet powerful: "Never give up!"
The path to "Running Home" topping the charts this past summer wasn't a straight line. Michael emphasized that there's no such thing as overnight success—every achievement is built on years of small, faithful steps. He encouraged the students to "be faithful in the small things," explaining that consistency and dedication in everyday tasks lay the groundwork for bigger opportunities down the road.
Throughout the session, Michael shared bite-sized pieces of advice that hit home. "If you stay ready, you never have to get ready," he said, stressing the importance of preparation so you can seize opportunities the moment they appear. He reminded students not to let skeptics derail their dreams: "Don't sweat the doubters." Instead, he urged them to embrace where they come from—"Embrace the small town"—and to take pride in their roots.
Michael also opened up about the business side of his music career. He explained how he used Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform, to finance early projects—proving that creative funding solutions can turn dreams into reality when traditional paths aren't available. Finding your passion is just the start, he noted. You also need to find your "magic sauce"—that unique quality that sets you apart—and then be willing to grind. Success requires competitive drive and relentless effort.
He spoke candidly about timing and preparation, acknowledging that sometimes success does come down to being in the right place at the right time—but only if you're ready when that moment arrives. Doubt, he assured them, is universal. "People are going to doubt you, in any business." The key is pushing through it.
Michael offered practical career advice too, urging the cohort to always be ready with a 30-second pitch. "You never know who is in the room," he reminded them, highlighting the importance of networking and seizing unexpected opportunities. He encouraged continuous improvement—"No matter what it is, hone your craft"—and creative collaboration: "Glean ideas from other people."
Perhaps most memorably, Michael shared his philosophy on performance and effort: whether you're playing for five people or five thousand, "people deserve your best." That mindset, he explained, has guided every show, every song, and every interaction throughout his career.
Before wrapping up, Michael extended a personal invitation to the cohort to attend his concert on December 8th at Washington High School, promising an evening filled with powerful music and inspiration. The Daviess County CEO Cohort left the session energized and grateful, having gained not just insight into the music industry, but timeless lessons on perseverance, passion, and purpose from someone who's living proof that dreams are worth chasing.
