Artist Interview: 1-on-1 with Cory M. Coons

I’ve always been a big fan of country music. I’m from the Midwest, after all. When Michael over at MTS Management Group introduced me to Cory M. Coons, I couldn’t stop listening. I love his voice and his songwriting is on point. He tells stories in his songs and has a true passion in his voice. I was so impressed with what I was hearing I reached out for an interview. It was fun getting to know him and I am excited to share his story with you here today. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Cory M. Coons.

Tell me more about The Long Road Home.
It is a melodic rock album with influences of roots-rock overtones. It was recorded over a few months from late February, 2017, and was mixed in January of 2018. It was produced by Ron Nevison, as well as additional overdubs and tracking with my friend and guitarist/engineer Marc D. Muir. I am very happy with the record. I think it displays my many influences, and I feel I have come full circle and I am at home with my songwriting.

I’ve always been interested in the songwriting process. Do you sit down to write a song or do they just come to you?
It depends on the song really… Sometimes I just start strumming my guitar and little chord progressions or ideas just start to flow, along some melodies for a verse or chorus, and I just go from there and let the ideas guide me! And sometimes I just get inspired by certain emotions or feelings that come my way.

As you mentioned, you worked with Ron Nevison on The Long Road Home. Tell me more about your relationship with Ron.
Ron is a great producer… He really knows how to get the most out of my vocal performances in the studio, so as to not wear yourself out to soon, and he knows how to pace my vocal ability. He is a rock veteran, with many credits to his name, and I respect that a lot. He also just lets my songs and arrangements come out the way they are basically envisioned and demoed, without too much intrusion or changes to the songs. And he lets the artist shine through on the recordings.

Tell me more about the band members.
On this album most of the lead guitars were done by Marc D. Muir from Cornwall, ON. I played a lot of acoustic and electric rhythm guitar as well… We had two wonderful session guys on bass and drums from the Portland, OR area, (the main drums and bass tracks were recorded in Vancouver, WA). Allen Hunter on bass and Thom Sullivan on drums. Since Marc Muir and I are both from Ontario, Canada, I do have different “live” players that go out with me to do shows that I have known for a long time here locally as well… Barry Billingham is my current drummer, and Rick Belanger is on bass and sometimes guitar. I also have a percussion player and good friend Kevin Eamon who sits in occasionally for acoustic gigs and an occasional harmony vocalist in Michelle Arthurs.

You have a great sound. Who are some of your biggest influences?
Thank you! I appreciate that… A lot of 70s and 80s melodic rock with good harmonies… Like Styx, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and more roots-rock stuff like Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Keith Urban, to as far back as The Beach Boys and Duran Duran and probably lots of others.

You’ve won a lot of awards over the years. Do you go out looking for those, or do they just come to you?
I definitely don’t go out looking for them… But it’s a great honour to have received an award. And also just to be nominated as well, and to be in the company of other very talented and successful artists from around the world is definitely a great feeling!

There are a lot of great country musicians out there. Who are some of your biggest influences?
Well, I would really consider myself more of a roots-rocker than all-out country, but in country I would say Keith Urban has been an influence… The Eagles as well… And I love some of the old Country like Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers.

Tell me about your relationship with MTS Management Group.
Michael Stover is great. Though we’ve only just recently begun working together, I have known him for a number of years. I think he is doing wonderful things for independent artists from all over, including myself!

I’ve not been to Ontario. What is the music scene like there?
There is a lot of good music and musicians and artists here… Probably a lot that don’t get enough recognition. Though I can’t really say it’s a “scene” around my local area so much in Eastern Ontario… Ottawa used to have a great club scene years ago, but now has been building with many good festivals that are growing every year. Toronto is very cultural with it’s music scene. And I think Montreal, (Quebec) is still always considered a very artistic city of many cultures as well.

You are also a freelance guitar instructor. Tell me more about that.
Where does someone start if they want to learn how to play the guitar?

I think you always have to start with the basics. If someone has the music bug in them, then I think it will grow from there. It comes from within, and you have to let someone find their way with their instrument, and just be there to help guide them along.

I love that photo on The Long Road Home album cover. Where is that?
I’m not actually sure. (Laughs.) That’s a good question. My graphic artist Patricia Watters who I have been working with on the last few of my album covers did the design and found the picture. I’ll have to ask her?

What’s next for Cory M. Coons?
Just continue with more of the same. I am always writing, and try to perform as much as I can. Hopefully more new songs in the next couple of years. But just currently trying to promote this latest release The Long Road Home.

Thank you for doing this. In all of the interviews I do I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thank so much for the opportunity! I appreciate all your questions and comments, and I hope that my music and songs can resonate in some way with people who have the opportunity to listen. Cheers!

Connect with Cory M. Coons:
Website: http://www.corymcoons.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmc.music
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoryMCoons1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/corymcoons