Soothing singer/songwriter Corey Crowder has developed his unique blend of folk, jazz, and country largely due to his southern upbringing. A Georgia native, Corey grew up listening to artists like David Allen Coe, The Allman Brothers, and Tom Petty. While he always found southern music both intriguing and comforting, he really didn’t begin to explore his southern roots until the last few years. Corey began to blend his southern upbringing with his love for old jazz classics to form his unique smooth sound. Corey launched his first serious music project in the fall of 2001, and began recording demos and playing shows under the name A Farewell to Arms. In 2003 he released his first full length album recorded from home called “Certain Starlights and Fleeting Daybreaks.” Corey spent the next year and half growing his fan base and trying to play out as often as possible. As things began to grow more and more serious Corey decided to instate a bit of a change. So, in early 2005 Corey decided to drop the name A Farewell to Arms and begin recording and performing as simply Corey Crowder. The decision was due to the growing concern that the name A Farewell to Arms was too confusing for listeners and didn’t quite fit the sound that Corey had developed. In August 2005 Corey released an 11-track acoustic full-length album that included some re-recorded songs from “Certain Starlights…” as well as some brand new material. The album was called “Learning to Let Go – Home Recordings” and was the most successful release to date thanks to MTV airing various songs from the album on their reality show The Real World. In September 2005 Corey married his high school sweetheart Laney Harris. They decided to relocate to Greenville, SC where Laney had attended Furman University. This was a big challenge for Corey because he would be building a new home base. After acquiring some new musicians to spice up the live show Corey began writing new material for an EP release in 2006. The album would be called “Starting All Over,” which seemed to be a fitting title seeing as Corey’s life had taken a totally new path. Corey and the guys went into the studio with drummer John Taylor in Lawrenceville, GA, and after 3 months of work, “Starting All Over” was released. Corey and the band spent much of 2006 touring nationally and promoting the new album. After a year on the road, Corey is currently spending time writing and recording demos in preparation for his fourth release due out later this year. “I feel that this will be my most musically and lyrically mature album to date,” Corey says of the new album. “I am constantly changing both musically and in my personal life and it’s nice to have my music reflect those life changes.” Focusing on his southern roots Corey plans on bringing new musical elements into this album. Seeking inspiration from artists like Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, and James Taylor this next album for Corey seems to promise an interesting blend of both old and new from Corey Crowder. Corey can be seen performing live with his band on Saturday, July 28th at The Handlebar.