Stats
Biography
Smith was raised in Jackson County and attended Gainesville State College yet shortly afterwards he moved to the University of West Georgia to be with his partner at the time who he later married. He originally studied Social Studies education and his music was more of a pass time, he didn't particularly plan to forge a career in the music industry but he realised his country music talents when he began to write songs and play for selected friends at parties. At the age of 28 he began to put all of his time and effort into music.
'Undertones' was his first album and it was released through Razor & Tie records. It features an early single 'Twenty One' which is one of Corey's most well known songs. 'In The Mood' was released a year later on Undertone Records who the songwriter has been releasing music with ever since. Corey continued to make music and tour to a loyal fan base for the following years as his commercial break didn't come until 2011.
'The Broken Record' charted at #17 on the US Country charts, his highest position to date and also made top five on the US Folk and Heat charts. It was also a critical success and gained the country singer a far larger amount of notoriety. Since then he has only released one live album and a preceding single, yet there is no news on the next album.
Live reviews
I'm a big country rock and blues fan, and Corey Smith is, far and away, my favorite artist in that genre. So, when my husband bought us tickets to see him at the Innsbrook After Hours in Glen Allen, Virginia, to say I was excited would be an understatement.
This was, without a doubt, the best live show I have ever been to. Corey Smith is such a talented musician, singing and writing, as well as playing many of the instruments that accompany his music. The entire audience was on its feet, singing along and swaying to the music. Smith isn't the type ignore his fans, either, because he took the time to talk to the audience and encourage us.
The best song of the whole show was "The Redneck In Me," which tells a great story as well as entertains. He also played "Twenty-One," "Maybe Next Year," from his album The Broken Record, and "Drugs," which was one of his music videos and made the audience go crazy. I would go and see a Corey Smith show again if I had the chance. I can't understand why anybody wouldn't. He's such a great artist and his show was so good.
Jefferson singer/songwriter Corey Smith seems to live and breath his surrounding and the United States' affinity with the genres of country and Americana means there is always room for one more great artist. Smith has a great manner when performing live, it is totally stripped back and organic as opposed to some other country performers who bring out countless musicians and want the audience toe tapping throughout the evening.
Instead he sits confidently onstage joined by a couple of trusty musical companions and recreates his well written albums in near perfect quality when compared to the recordings. He has released a lot in quite a short career span so he tries to collate his best work tonight as well as airing a good number of tracks from popular albums including 'Maysville in the Meantime' and 'The Broken Record'. It all seems to go down well with the audience who applaud and cheer loudly following on from a perfect version of 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken?'.
Absolutley amazing! I have been a fan since 2008 when my cousin introduced "If I Could Do It Again" as our theme song for our senior trip in the car ride to Panama City Beach. We bought tickets when Corey came to Rabb's (prior to it becoming the Rev). We only got to see 3-4 songs because our friend was out in the car waiting on us since they forgot their ID. We heard our theme song playing as we made our way across the parking lot. Talk about a kick in the face! Finally, we got to see him again and he didn't disappoint at all! Perfect way to send me off to Florida to begin my new life journey. Thanks for the best, Corey!
BEST ARTIST EVER!!!!! We were at the last concert before he announced he was taking a break at the house of blues in Myrtle Beach. It was a knock out, especially his new songs “Cellophane” and “Going Blind.” He said it’s not their “LAST SHOW” but last show on the books... I am so ready for him to come back because he is just the absolute best artist ever!!!! As great as he sounds on the radio, he sounds even BETTER live!!! I never knew that was even possible. That’s how you know this man is the REAL DEAL!!! We miss you Corey!!!
Great concert! I plan on seeing him many more times. The songs were fantastic. He played new and old songs and made sure to have all the crowds favorites intertwined in there. I loved every minute of it!
It's the fourth time I've seen him and every time it keeps getting better! The Beacon is probably my favorite location that I've seen him. I'll definitely come back to this location for more concerts
We saw Corey at the Innsbrook Pavillion in Glen Allen, VA. He was AWESOME!!! Great show. He played the old and the new and some unexpected songs as well. Go see him...you won't be disappointed.
Fantastic show!! It's been awhile since I've seen Corey live, but this by far was his best show yet!! I was front and center at the Lincoln theatre and it could not have been any better!!!