Dear Friends,

The South has always been so warm and good to us on tour - our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all affected by the terrible tragedy wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Please join us in doing what you can to help today!


Affectionately,
Anne






Brickman delivers valentines, February 16, 2008

Salt Lake City loves Jim Brickman, and the feeling is mutual. The reception he gets here is always enthusiastic, and that's why Brickman chose Salt Lake for his Valentine's Day show.

Calling Salt Lake his "second home," he lived up to his self-proclaimed title of "America's greatest romantic solo pianist" Thursday night. Joined by vocalist Anne Cochran and fiddler David Klinkenberg, Brickman charmed with audience favorites and trademark humor.

Brickman opened the evening playing solo with "Waterfall," "Paradise" and "Escape." He also sang "The Love I Found in You," a piece he premiered in Salt Lake City on an earlier visit.

Klinkenberg, who Brickman described as a "Riverdance meets Led Zepplin," joined him for "Timeless." The addition of the violin brought depth and texture to Brickman's music.

Cochran then joined them, completing the trio. Cochran and Brickman went to high school together in Cleveland, Ohio, and have been performing together ever since.

Cochran's renditions of "Never Alone" and "After All These Years," were rich and heartfelt. Cochran's voice was pure and her interpretation straightforward and lovely.

A compilation of love songs closed the first half, following a marriage proposal by a member of the audience. Jen told Jack "yes" as she shoved him back to their seats.

Klinkenberg opened after intermission with a solo Celtic number that had the audience tapping its feet and clapping along.

Brickman joined Klinkenberg halfway throughout "Amazing Grace." What started as a simple, slow piece morphed into "Joyful, Joyful" and then back into a bluesy version of "Grace." Cochran then joined Brickman for "The Gift."

Brickman's question and answer session was one of the night's highlights with Cochran taking center stage. Her mispronunciation of city names like wivic (West Valley City) and lehee (Lehi) were hilarious. As was her imitation of Brickman's flourish that he used at the end of every song.

Brickman followed the Q&A with "If You Believe," a simple, thoughtful work he wrote in based on positive ideas and connecting with people.

A beautiful medley of Disney favorites featuring bits from "Beauty and the Beast," "Someday My Prince Will Come," "Color of the Wind" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" was familiar but fuller as Brickman added depth to the music, making it his own.

The night ended with the very appropriate "Valentine." Brickman billed the night as one full of romantic music and he delivered just that.

© Jessica Harrison, Deseret Morning News 02/16/08


Read on about what journalist Terry Boer had to say about Jim and friends in The Grand Rapids Press. December 27, 2007

"Jim Brickman is an astute showman, no matter what instrument he happens to play…/…And he knows the value of surrounding himself with a talented cast.

The veteran artist won on all fronts Wednesday. Even the day after Christmas worked for Brickman's holiday tour, featuring vocalists Anne Cochran, former Lonestar lead singer Richie McDonald and violinist Tracy Silverman.

Opening with the piano solo "Joy" from his latest holiday CD "Homecoming," Brickman wove in and out of the melody of the carol "Joy to the World," a technique used on several of his offerings, including a number of medleys…/…"What Child Is This?" "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "We Three Kings" and "Carol of the Bells."

"Serenade," Brickman's musical duet with electric violinist Silverman, showcased the six-stringed instrument that is half guitar, half violin…/…

Yet the highlights of the evening were vocal treatments courtesy of McDonald and Cochran.

One of them came during an extended medley of some of Brickman's hit songs. Among the selections were parts of "Love of My Life," "Destiny," "Until I See You Again" and closing with "Valentine," with McDonald and Cochran harmonizing to Brickman's precise piano and Silverman's supportive strings…/…

But shining brighter was a vocal Christmas medley featuring McDonald with guitar on "Silent Night" and "Mary, Did You Know?" with Cochran leading on "I Heard the Bells" and beginning the group effort, "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

On this night with Jim Brickman and friends, there was plenty of holiday nostalgia.

But what you get with him anytime of year is warm wit and endearing music, a comfortable collaboration."

© Terry Boer, The Grand Rapids Press 12/27/07


A Christmas concert brings comfort and joy to Birmingham, Dec 22nd

"... Brickman ... always manages to surround himself with singers and musicians who can carry the show just as easily as he can.

This may have been his best crew ever: Anne Cochran, the lovely vocalist he has known since high school; Jake Simpson, an energetic singer who has become a celebrity, of sorts, through his appearances on "Star Search" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show;" and David Klinkenberg, who makes such beautiful music on his violin it's hard to believe he wants to call it a fiddle.

... A gospel version of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" - led by Simpson - raised the rafters of the BJCC Concert Hall. Other highlights included several medleys of holiday songs from Brickman, Cochran singing Brickman's "Sending You a Little Christmas" and pretty much any time Klinkenberg picked up his bow ... "

© Alec Harvey, Birmingham News 12-22-06


Brickman & associates offers Buffalo a musical bonbon, December 30th

" ... Brickman and associates, violinist David Klinkenberg and vocalists Anne Cochran and Jake Simpson, offered an entertaining, lighthearted musical bon-bon filled with well-crafted tunes.

... Cochran, who has been performing with Brickman since they were teenagers in Cleveland, has a nice, pleasant alto to go along with her easygoing stage manners. The banter between the two friends was ingratiating, especially when they reminisced about the first show they could have done together (a Holiday Inn in Erie, PA) but which was nixed by their parents."

Excerpts from "The pure pleasure of Brickman"
© Garaud MacTAGGAR, The Buffalo News 12-31-06


"Polished" performance in Kansas City!

May 13's sold-out concert with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra brought kudos for Anne: "...pleasing to the ear were the contributions of vocalist Anne Cochran, a long-time Brickman collaborator who joined the pianist for an enjoyable interlude spotlighting the composer's music with lyrics. Cochran brought a polished, vibrato-laced soprano to such tunes as "After All These Years", "The Gift" and "Simple Things".

Source: ROBERT EISELE for the Kansas City Star, published Monday, May 15, 2006


What a voice!

"We had a blast!! Anne Cochran was amazing!! What a voice and what a songwriter!! We were so impressed!! …"
-Jeff and Tracey B

"I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the Nite of Lite Laughter show on Friday…I had only heard Anne Cochran on your station but I really thought she put on a great show, I would like to get her new CD…."
-Judy B

Allan Camp, program director at WRCH, along with his thanks to Anne for all she "did to make Friday night a special night", forwarded the above responses received the day after the October 28th show. There were good words for Bob Newhart and the station too, but we thought you would like to hear how well Anne was received!


Oldies are anything but standard

At first, Anne Cochran toyed with the idea of recording an album of standards.

There was just one problem.

"Everyone was doing standards," Cochran says, rolling her eyes and laughing.

Rather than revisit the Great American Songbook, a la Rod Stewart and countless other crooners-come-lately, Cochran opted to focus on well-known tunes from more recent eras on her delightful new CD, "Cover Girl."

It features whimsical updates of hits by Petula Clark ("Downtown"), Nancy Sinatra ("These Boots Are Made for Walkin' "), John Denver ("Sunshine on My Shoulders") and other oldies, predominantly from the '60s and '70s.

"I wanted to do recognizable songs with a new twist," Cochran says over a round of iced coffee at a local caffeine den.

"I remember hearing these songs on the radio when I was a girl," she says. "I still can relate to them."

"Cover Girl" is the sixth solo album by Cochran, best known for her collaborations with Grammy-nominated piano man Jim Brickman. They had a Top 10 adult-contemporary single in 1998 with "After All These Years." The song was written by David Grow, who produced Cochran's new CD and did a duet with her on the Sonny & Cher smash "The Beat Goes On."

"Anne has such a sparkle," says Grow, whose other production credits include projects for Brickman, Michael Bolton and All 4 One.

"It's great to work with an artist who has personality, which definitely describes Anne," Grow says. "Her personality comes through in her vocals, which is so important these days, when everything tends to sound the same." Fans of Cochran's work with Brickman or even of her previous solo efforts should be prepared for a departure. "Cover Girl" sounds unlike anything else in her discography, with electronic beats and club-friendly grooves giving the album a hip exuberance.

"My previous albums were more low-key," she says. "This is more up. I think it works, if I do say so myself."

For a techno-tinged rendition of the Beatles' "In My Life," Grow gave Cochran's voice a robotic twist by running it through an Autotuner, the device made famous by Cher's "Believe."

Cochran had a go at the Fab Four favorite at Brickman's suggestion.

"I absolutely love her new album," Brickman says. "It's cool to hear her versions of these songs."

Cochran is "a wonderful interpreter," says Brickman, who plays piano on the CD's last track, a tender version of the Boz Scaggs-penned, Rita Coolidge-popularized chestnut "We're All Alone." Cochran and Brickman recorded it live last year during a concert in North Carolina.

They performed the same song in a Cleveland talent show in the 1970s, shortly after they met at Shaker Heights High School. Cochran and Brickman took first prize in the contest.

They teamed up again last weekend for concerts in New Hampshire and Michigan. During an average year, they'll do upwards of 75 gigs together.

Life on the road inspired "Make It Right," the only original song on "Cover Girl." The contemplative ballad was co-written by Cochran, Grow and Cochran's sister, Judith Banon.

She and her husband, attorney Ed Cochran, recently celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary. They have two teenage sons.

"I love performing, but the downside is I miss my family," Cochran says. "I've been fortunate to find a balance."

© John Soeder, Plain Dealer Pop Music Critic, Friday, July 29, 2005

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jsoeder@plaind.com, 216-999-4562


"[Cover Girl] is wonderful! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it... before 'Downtown' was finished, I was singing along. By the time 'The Beat Goes On' came on, I was dancing to the music. And then I replayed it a second time because I liked it so much! And I can't wait until tonight when I will be working on the same project again and can listen some more. I really liked the fact that you end it with Jim announcing you and the applause! A neat way to end any CD.

I hope your travels will bring you back to the Chicago area again this year. It's always the highlight of the year!

Take care of yourself until next time."

Judy P
Source : annesfans.com, April 28th, 2005


At Milwaukee's Pabst Theater, February 12th, "Cochran sang with a polished alto voice and communicative style, bringing flavors of gospel singing to tunes such as "Amazing Grace" and a taste country singing to others... The musicians (Anne, Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis, six-string electric violinist Tracy Silverman and of course, Jim!) teamed in duos, trios and a few quartets, varying the music's sound and textures…"

Source : Excerpts from a review by Elaine Schmidt, The Sentinel, Milwaukee, WN
Copyright 2005, Journal Sentinel Inc


Valentine Tour 2005 : Anne's "warm give-and-take", "great vocals" and "breathtaking duets" in Saginaw

"With the help of friends Mario Frangoulis and Anne Cochran and a handful of hits, Jim Brickman delivered. But there was so much more than music - or maybe we should say he managed to make an evening of romantic pop seem more like a visit to a friend's house.

Friday, it was up to Cochran and Frangoulis to fill in for Brickman's many collaborators, and there were a few points along the way where they threatened to steal the show.

Cochran, Brickman's high school classmate and musical friend, not only brought great vocals to Brickman's work but created a warm give-and-take that in time drew the audience into its embrace.

Her creative pronunciation of Owosso was great fun; her question-and-answer period triggered some interesting asides, and her duet with Frangoulis in a medley of "One Dream," "Here's to the Heroes" and "Hero's Dream" was breathtaking".

Source : SUE WHITE, THE SAGINAW NEWS, February 07, 2005


Cochran's " lustrous voice " makes for " pure and winsome delight " in Grand Rapids, February 3rd

"...As the evening progressed, and (Jim Brickman) unfurled some of his sweetest songs. "Simple Things," his current chart-maker, was a pure and winsome delight sung by guest vocalist Anne Cochran, also, we learned, Brickman's buddy from school days in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Their banter throughout the night was relaxed, warm and, often, hilarious.

Cochran, whose lustrous voice brought so much to Brickman's storytelling lyrics, is a winning performer with a great sense of humor. "Ladies," she said in a way that seemed to indicate Something Big: "We have someone touring with us now who has an accent."

Well, women love accents, and everyone instantly fell for Mario Frangoulis, a star in his native Greece performing in America for the very first time Thursday in Grand Rapids. You may recognize the name from his singing at last summer's Olympics in Athens. Frangoulis added lots of charm, not to mention his astonishing tenor to a handful of Brickman's soaring ballads (think Enrique Iglesias with Andrea Bocelli's powerful pipes.). His "Ave Maria," from Brickman's forthcoming hymns album, "Grace," was incredible, while later on he dialed down the grandeur of his voice for a crack at "Love of My Life," sung on the radio by Michael W. Smith.

.../...

Certainly one of the most appealing segments was when Cochran read questions to Brickman posed by fans before the first intermission. Highlights of that included the pianist plunking out requested jingles from his commercial-writing days ("Don't treat your puppy like a dog, dog, dog, feed him Puppy Chow!"), and revealing some rather personal details about his choice in skivvies (oh, my). Well ... someone wanted to know..."

Source: The Grand Rapids Press
Copyright (c) 2005 Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company.


Brickman & Friends deliver cozy, old-fashioned Christmas

"It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Yes, the frigid temperatures and northerly winds help. But it's also because Jim Brickman & Friends blew into town Sunday, spreading their holiday cheer during two performances at the Alabama Theatre...

...This time around, he brought longtime collaborator Anne Cochran, Christian singer Kristy Starling and former 98 Degrees member Jeff Timmons to share in the joy with him, and it made for a nice, comfortable show reminiscent of the Perry Como and Bing Crosby TV specials of yore...

...but it was Cochran, a high-school chum of Brickman's who has sung his music for decades and for whom many of his songs were probably written, who stood out, dueting with Brickman on the beautiful "The Gift" and leading the quartet in a show-stopping "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Source: Alec Harvey, Birmingham News, December 20, 2004


"Review of the Valentine concert in Evansville IN, February 12th at the Victory Theatre"

Following the Valentine concert in Evansville IN, February 12th at the Victory Theatre, Rebecca Coudret of the Evansville Courier wrote:

"...After All These Years... we all had a chance to hear how right (Jim Brickman) was about Anne Cochran's incredible voice - a smoky, throaty alto with great range and impeccable lyrics... Hero's Dream and Peace (with great goosebump vocals by Cochran and Jeff Timmons)...The "greatest love songs medley", which included everything Brickman, from The Gift to Simple Things, satisfied fans in love, and after a terrific Dreams Come True and Valentine, the evening ended with Angel Eyes as an encore - and a lot of new fans on their way to buy new CDs."

Source: Rebecca Coudret, Evansville Courier , February 13, 2004


"Anne Cochran possesses one of the strongest and most richly melodic pop voices"

Anne Cochran possesses one of the strongest and most richly melodic pop voices you'll ever hear. When she cut into "After All These Years", her huge easy-listening radio-hit...or joined Brickman...for a duet on "The Gift", his bigggest pop hit to date, it's safe to say the crowds at the other end of (Navy) Pier heard her loud and clear.

Source: Miriam Di Nunzio, Chicago Sun Times (excerpts)