Ted Derek Cochran: A Life in Music, Machines, and Mystery

Early Years in West Virginia

Ted Derek Cochran was born on November 11, 1961, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and raised in the small community of Silverton, just outside Ravenswood. Growing up in a family that valued creativity, Derek and his siblings were encouraged to explore music from an early age. His first instrument was a 1970s Kalamazoo bass guitar — a treasured piece he still owns today.

By age 14, Derek began piano lessons, but rather than playing the works of others, he felt compelled to compose his own. At 15, he performed his first original composition at a recital in Parkersburg, seated at a concert grand piano once played by Liberace. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey defined by originality, independence, and a refusal to follow the beaten path.

Musical Journeys and Collaborations

Though Derek stepped away from music for periods of his life, it always called him back. In 1985, he returned to help his sister, Vanessa Maria Cochran, with her album project. By 1991, he co-founded the band Southern Depot with Keith Haynes, envisioning a tour in England. Life’s circumstances intervened — Keith moved to Washington State, and friend's losses reshaped Derek’s path — but the dream of music never faded.

In 1992, Derek released his debut album The Hands of Time under the name DC Project, followed by a country album I’m Over You. His catalog reflects a restless creativity, spanning Americana, blues, country, and even collaborations with hip-hop artist Big Rich Tha Don from New Mexico. Derek’s compositions often carry haunted undertones, weaving mystery and emotion into melodies that honor both his Appalachian roots and his fascination with the unknown.

Entrepreneurship and Motorcycles

Derek’s artistry extends beyond music. In 1993, he opened D&K Cycles, a motorcycle shop that quickly earned a reputation for excellence. His custom builds won awards, including first place at a dealer bike show, and were featured in Easy Riders Magazine. Derek also became the first Ural Motorcycle dealer in West Virginia, earning recognition in Hack’d Magazine. His motorcycles embodied the same spirit as his music — handcrafted, distinctive, and built with passion.

Writing and Storytelling

In the 2000s, Derek returned to writing and recording music, but his creativity also found new outlets in literature. He authored The Confessions of a Hither-man, a science fiction series blending time travel, historical conspiracy, and spiritual symbolism. In 2013, he published Santa and His Reindeer Reunion, a children’s Christmas book that showcased his ability to move between genres with ease. His poetry has appeared in collections, and he has contributed to online magazines, further cementing his role as a storyteller across mediums.

Legacy and Vision

At the heart of Derek’s journey is a commitment to honoring family and faith. His collaborations with his sister Vanessa, a beloved music teacher and performer, remain central to his story. Her passing in 2014 deepened Derek’s reflections on life, death, and legacy, inspiring him to weave themes of mystery, spirituality, and remembrance into his work.

Today, Derek continues to create — through music, writing, and projects like UnknownFaith.com, a platform dedicated to exploring ghosts, symbolism, and the paranormal. His life is a testament to resilience and reinvention: a musician who refuses to be confined by genre, an entrepreneur who built success from scratch, and a storyteller who finds meaning in both the everyday and the extraordinary.

Vanessa Maria (Cochran) is Derek's little sister.  She was born October 4th, 1963 and died of cancer October 12th, 2014. She was a performer and schoolteacher in the Wood County School system. She recorded several albums and performed throughout OH, WV and KY. Her music can be found at I-tunes, Amazon and other websites. All profit made from her music is donated to "Gateway for Cancer Research" in her name. 

See more about Vanessa Maria Here.

Janis Joplin is Derek's 7th cousin once removed.

Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter who sang rock, soul and blues music. One of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and "electric" stage presence.

See more about Janis Joplin here.

Rosa Parks is Derek's  6th cousin once removed.

Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama to Leona Edwards, a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter. After her parents separated, Parks and her family moved to Pine Level, Alabama to live with her maternal grandparents. At 19, she married Raymond Parks, a barber and member of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1943, Parks also joined the NAACP and served as the secretary of the Montgomery chapter until 1956.

In 1955, Parks was thrust in front of the American public after she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger while traveling home on a segregated bus. Her act of defiance would become a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. The incident and Parks's arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a city-wide boycott of Montgomery's public transit system in non-violent protest against racial segregation. The boycott would last 381 days and eventually lead to the U.S. Supreme Court to declare that the segregation of public transportation was unconstitutional.

Today, Parks is remembered as the "mother of the civil rights movement."

Francis Scott Key is Derek's fourth cousin five times removed.