Log Cabin Stories: Walt Cochran

From Holly River to Columbus
The Story of Walt Cochran

Porter Waldo "Walt" Cochran was born on April 22, 1926. He hailed from Diana, West Virginia, a small place on the banks of Holly River's Right Fork. Cochran was raised on country music, influenced by the likes of Cowboy Copas and Ernest Tubb, although rock'n'roll music left its impact on Cochran's style as well. In 1945, he married Katherine Mae Pappas and settled in Columbus, Ohio. In 1949, son Jamme Joseph was born.

Cochran held down a day job at Westinghouse Plants but began performing locally in the mid 1940s. He founded a band, the Holly River Boys (named as a tribute to his hometown), which lasted for several decades. They played different places all over Columbus, including prison benefits, shopping centers, and fund raisers. He also performed with many top stars of the day. He performed at the Calvacade of Stars from Nashville at the Palace Theater when it came to town and opened up for such stars as Connie Smith. He also appeared regularly at the WMNI Country Cavalcade, a live stage and radio show held at Columbus' Southern Theater in the 1970s.

Their first record came in 1963 on Phil Gary's Olimpic label with Cochran's own "(Darlin') What Am I Gonna Do" and the band's version of the classic "I'm Sittin' On Top of the World". Apparently, Cochran had a cold at the time of the recording session, which brought a little Ernest Tubb and Johnny Cash inflection to his voice. At that time, the band featured William "Billy" Strawser on lead guitar, which played on this record. Eventually, Cochran's son would join his father's band as a drummer and also his daughters Jetta and Janne would sing with him.

Catalog of Copyright Entries

Both songs reappeared in 1965 on the Holly label, was likely Cochran's own imprint. During the 1960s and 1970s, Cochran and the Holly River Boys recorded several discs on the Holly label. Those included own material "Way Back in West Virginia" and "Each Side of the River" (co-written with his wife) as well as cover versions ("Six Days on the Road", "Drivin' Nails In My Coffin") and renditions of classics ("Columbus Stockade Blues").

He retired from steady performing in the 1970s. Walt Cochran died on July 26, 2004, at the age of 78 years. He is buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus. His son Jamme Joseph passed away in 2020.

Discography

Label No.#	Artist Credit	A / B side	Date
Olimpic 45-249	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	(Darlin’) What Am I Gonna Do / I’m Sittin’ On Top of the World	1963
Holly 811H-2885	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin / Six Days on the Road	1965
Holly 811H-4671	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	Darlin’ What Am I Gonna Do? / I’m Sittin’ On Top of the World	1965
Holly 811H-6101	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	Way Back in West Virginia / Columbus Stockade Blues	1966
Holly 811H-2513 [1]	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	I Already Know / Don’t Lock the Door	1967
Holly 811H-2513 [2]	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	I Already Know / Way Back in West Virginia	1967
Holly 811H-1228	Walt Cochran and the Holly River Boys	Way Back in West Virginia / Each Side of the River	1971
Holly HF 41882	Walt Cochran	I Already Know / Way Back in West Virginia	1982