I am sitting here today with an artist that is this close to becoming the next big thing. Corey Crowder is making his way through the music scene and doing it the “right way” by building fans and taking his time knowing he will end up at the top. Matching that with great direction from another awesome individual in Steve Taylor as his manager, Corey is a powerhouse for a success. Sit back as I introduce a special treat to you today in Corey Crowder.
You are over 5,000,000 plays on MySpace. You are not sitting there hitting refresh are you?
I’ve been caught! No, just kidding. I don’t know how that happened. seems like one day I was at a few thousand plays and then before I knew it, I was over a million. Got to love MySpace word of mouth.
Where are you originally from?
I spent the first 14 years of my life in Lilburn, Georgia. I then moved about thirty miles away to a town called Loganville, Georgia.
Do you work or is music it?
I am the brand manager for a company called Merch Machine. So if your band needs merchandise shoot me an email.
What are the chances I can get you to Indiana this summer?
I’m there. Just say when and where.
What is the largest crowd you have played for?
I played for several thousand people at a radio event in Clemson, South Carolina. I was the opening act for Elliott Yamin, Sean Kingston, The Rocket Summer, and Ali & AJ. So you can imagine how well my music fit in all of this.
The smallest?
I have played for no one but the other bands on the show before. Not my proudest moment.
Any tattoos?
One tattoo. Inner left arm. I plan on getting some more soon. But, I have to stick to my wife’s rule of one tattoo a year. Bummer.
Those are some awesome shirts. Did Steve design all those for you?
(Laughs) He wishes. The designers for Merch Machine do all of my work. They are extremely talented designers.
How did you and Steve meet?
I was a fan of a band Steve was in called Outsight. This was about in 2000 2001. I started going to a lot of their shows and hanging with Steve and his band.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Right now, I am excited about living back in Georgia close to family and friends. But I have a feeling that I would love living in Italy. My wife made a trip there with a friend last year and the pictures and stories were amazing.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you on stage?
This actually has happened more than once. It has also happened pretty recently. I forgot the lyrics to my own song! I totally butchered the song. I’m not sure anyone noticed. I hope not.
PC or Mac?
Mac. All the way.
If you could meet anyone alive or dead who would it be and why?
Bob Dylan. He is one of the best writers of all time.
Where does your motivation come from when you sit down to write a new song?
I try to turn my brain off when I write. I don’t want to force a song. I want whatever is on my mind to come out on paper how it needs to. Afterwards, I sort through the words to make a song. I find inspiration in everything.
Let’s say you are offered a $250,000 record deal but you have to record someone else’s lyrics and it was a rap album would you do it?
Yes. Only if it was a rap album.
What is your favorite song to play?
‘Leaving You’.
Let’s say you can only play one cover song for the rest of your career. What one would you choose?
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams.
What are you drinking on stage?
Sweet Tea.
What is the last movie you saw?
Notorious.
Did you like it?
I loved it.
Let’s say you are about to headline at Madison Square Garden. Who is your opener?
I’d have my buddy Mark Webb open for me.
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
I would be Doug from the Nickelodeon show Doug.
Do you think MySpace is good for musicians?
Yes. As much as I hate to admit it. There is no better way to make new fans for free. It also lets the fans help out by promoting their favorite artist by embedding a song on their page.
Tell me about the people playing behind you.
They are all really talented musicians. They all played on the record. Russ Chapman is on the drums and Logan Belcher on the bass. They have been with me now for several years and have become some of my best friends.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I will still be making music. No white picket fences and all that. Just living life.
What do you want to be remembered for when it’s all said and done?
Musically, I’d like to be remembered as someone who was “real” in his songs. If someone’s life was impacted in any way whatsoever from my songs that would be a great way to be remembered.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.” – Bob Dylan
