Baron Von Fritz Biedermann

Baron Von Fritz Biedermann also known as Jesse Cochran

Sunrise July 2, 1942

Sunset November 27, 2021

In the early hours on Saturday November 27th, 2021 at the Bingham Memorial Hospital in Matheson, Ontario, Baron aged 79 began his spiritual journey after he found out he had stage 4 cancer last October 25th.

When Jesse Beidermann returned to Cochrane about 26 years ago, it was his first visit to his home-town in 27 years.  All the while, he was in Nashville, Tennessee, the Home of Country Music, and the place where he honed his skills as a singer-songwriter.

Biedermann was back in town at the Extendicare nursing home, where he displayed his talents as an entertainer, performing for residents and staff, including his 87 year old mother, Maggie Beidermann.  He sang through a variety of country and pop songs with the polish and relaxed ease befitting someone who has spent a lifetime in music.  He also demonstrated a penchant for voice impersonations, accurately imitating John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. The 53 year old Beidermann began singing when he was three years old; he says friends and family were often at his home for musical get-togethers. He credits Leon Lefebvre of Cochrane with teaching him how to play guitar. Biedermann had a knack for writing as a young schoolboy, whose friends would tease him by calling him Poet.  As a teenager in the late 50’s and early 60’s he played rock and roll in town as a member of the Galaxies, a band compromised of Dennis Morel, Andre Matte Kenneth Beadman and Ray Boucher.  Practicing eight and nine hours a day, Biedermann was beginning to take music very seriously. When he was 21, Biedermann left for Florida and adopted the stage name Jesse Cochran.  He soon established himself as a songwriter and is best known for penning Jerry Wallace’s 1973 “The Sound of goodbye,” which made billboard Magazine’s top 20.  Vic Ames, of Ames Brothers fame, recorded Biedermann’s “Enough Sunshine”. His songs have been published by Warner Brothers Music, Adventure Music, and 4-star Music among others. Biedermann was too much of a noncomformist to have been given the limelight he may have deserved. He explains that the music business is a tough one, where politics plays a big part. “I have never learned to play the game.”  Says Biedermann.  “And if they don’t like you, they’ll steal your songs.” Still, he was never far from fame, having “hung out” with country music luminaries Web Pierce, Faron Young, and Henson Cargil. For Biedermann, who has written hundreds of songs over the years, songwriting is a continuous process.  “I can think of original phrases all the time,” he reveals. What makes a memorable song? A classic song has an “organic quality,” explains Biedermann. The melody can be compared to the body, while the words are the soul. “The combination of the two, gives the song life.”

Biedermann says that when he returns, he’s going to form a musical “caravan” and visit many of the local nursing homes.  “I enjoy playing for the elderly,” he says.  Occurring to him recently, while performing for an audience of over 100 seniors, was the wealth of experience before his eyes.  He says there was 1000 years of wisdom in that audience, something that “sure makes you think.” Biederman has released several albums; one consists of songs about experiences on the Polar Bear Express. In case you’re wondering when you might get a chance to see Jesse Cochan – the entertainer- perform, Biedermann says he may do some gigs in Cochrane in the near future

He will be laid to rest with his parents in Cochrane, Ontario at a later date.

As Baron would say: “I am okay, I am with the Lord”

Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to

Irvine & Irvine Funeral Home – Northern Crematorium

www.irvineandirvinefuneralhome.com

705-232-4006

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