Concertwire.com

Corey Smith melds country, rock and blues into a sound that is all his own. That distinctive musical flair combined with Smith’s pensive lyrics and soulful Southern voice has earned him an enthusiastic legion of fans. His release, Undertones, birthed the college anthem “Twenty-One,” evoking full-blown sing-alongs accompanied by fans waving in time with the acoustic melody. “I’m Not Gonna’ Cry” struck a soft-spot with high school graduates across the country; in 2007, more than 200 schools chose the single as their graduation anthem. Although Smith’s popular tracks like “If I Could Do It Again” and “Carolina” contain the nostalgic, booze-laden imagery characteristic of much of Smith’s writing, the album as a whole resonates with a familial pride and sense of fulfillment that is refreshingly new. Musical diversity is evident on his newest project, Hard-Headed Fool, which showcases a confident young artist in full command of his gift. For Smith, it’s just about writing songs that connect with people and impact their lives.