Biography

Cockman Family Band LLC (Gospel Bluegrass) Biography

March, 2023: Inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.

Since launching their performing career in February of 1988, the Cockman Family has developed the classic family harmonies and youthful flair that is the Cockman Family trademark. Their unique bluegrass gospel style, original songs and original arrangements of the old gospel songs have been immensely popular with their audiences. This group's family ties are strong and the warmth of that is conveyed in their performances.

UNC-TV has featured The Cockman Family on seven one-hour "The Arthur Smith Show: Now & Then" public television specials, "Carolina Christmas," and "George Beverly Shea & Friends." The Cockman Family also starred in an hour-long holiday program entitled "A Cockman Family Christmas: Maker of the Stars." The holiday program was included on the national programming of the American Public Television.

The family performed many shows during three summers at Opryland and Dollywood. The Cockman Family was awarded the 2011 North Carolina Community Traditions Award, given by the North Carolina Folklore Society. This award recognizes contributions and appreciation of State folk life.

The North Carolina Arts Council chose the Cockman Family for inclusion in its selective North Carolina Touring and Resident Artist Directory. They were also featured as one of the premiere artist showcase groups at the ArtsMarket sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council.

USA Today Weekend and American Greetings Cards named The Cockman Family one of "The 12 Most Creative Families in America." The Cockman Family was awarded the 2011 Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year by Southern Branch Bluegrass Radio.

The Cockman Family hosts the Murray's Mill Harvest Bluegrass Festival each year. They are also have served as host band at Fiddler’s Grove Old Time Festival for many years.

Family Members

John Cockman, Sr.
Retired high school furniture & cabinet making teacher of 34 years, John is the father and the guitar player of the Cockman Family. John, Sr. and wife Jane are the proud parents of the group which now consists of thirteen beautiful grandchildren. Jane teaches piano at home which includes teaching the grandchildren piano as well.
Caroline Cockman Fisher
Caroline is the lead singer for the group. She also shares harmony parts with her brothers. She is an avid song writer. Seventeen of her original songs have been recorded by the family, four of which were released as singles to radio. Caroline and her husband Kelly have two children. Caroline taught third grade starting a family, and believes that being a stay at home mom is best for her family. Caroline has been selected as Female Vocalist of the Year and also Songwriter of the Year for PowerGrass Internet Radio. Caroline is also a vocal teacher.

Dr. John Cockman, Jr.
Physics Professor at Appalachian State University. John, Jr. sings bass and plays the fiddle in the group and is a prolific gospel song writer. John teaches fiddle around the world on his web site, www.bluegrassdaddy.com. John also teaches a free fiddle workshop, down town Blowing Rock each Tuesday evening during the summer time. John and wife Jennifer have three daughters. The two older ones won “ Yodeling Duo and the Youth Harmony award at the Western Music Association in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Billy Cockman
Furniture Engineer and licensed contractor. Billy Cockman won the “2013-2014, National Banjo Championship” in Winfield, KS. In addition, he won the 2009 North Carolina State banjo championship and the 2010 South Carolina State banjo championship. Billy sings lead and tenor and plays the banjo and guitar for the group, and also writes for the family. Billy writes many of our original songs. He also teaches banjo. He and his wife Jamie have two children.

David Cockman
Furniture industry manager. David is the bass fiddler and sings baritone for the group. David writes many of our original sons. He helps with the emcee work and provides lots of humor for live performances. He and his wife Jessie have three children.

Ben Cockman
Full time stringed instrument instructor. Ben Cockman won the “2014-2015 National Guitar Flat Pick Championship” in Winfield, KS. He is the guitar and mandolin picker of the family. His special style of picking adds versatility and depth to the instrumentation. He also won the 2012 South Carolina State and West Virginia State Flat Pick Guitar championships, the 2012 Merlefest Flat Pick guitar championship, the 2012 Wayne Henderson Bluegrass Festival Guitar Championship and the 2012 Ossipee Music Festival's New England Guitar Championship. Ben teaches guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro and bass full time. Ben also teaches the grandchildren their stringed instruments. Ben's wife, Melissa, plays a big part in the family as a professional photographer. Her website is www.melissacockmanphotography.com. Ben and Melissa have three beautiful daughters.