Garth Brooks Gave Life-Altering Advice to Singer Corey Kent, and He Took It to Heart
Corey Kent has lined an impressive path in country music, but it didn't come without a life shift, plus a run-in with country legend Garth Brooks that would change the singer's career for forever.
Kent had moved to Nashville at the young age of 17, attempting to write songs with whoever he could. At the time, college wasn’t on his mind. He wanted to make it in the music world, but after a conversation with Brooks, that would change.
“Garth was basically telling me, if you want to write real songs that relate to real people, you have to live real life," Kent tells Taste of Country’s Adison Haager in an Instagram Live.
“'Nashville will always be there. Songwriting community will always be there, but go when you’ve got some life under your belt,'” he shares, relaying what Brooks told him.
That nudge would lead Kent to depart from Nashville after a year-and-a-half in. He would go on the attend Oklahoma State University, meet his wife and take a turn on his life plans.
During his conversation with Brooks, the country legend imparted wisdom that has stuck with Kent to this day. He recalls the country megastar saying:
“'Music’s like a slingshot. The further you pull the slingshot back, the further it’s going to go when you let it go.'”
Kent wouldn't fully understand that wisdom until now. Now he knows what's important outside of music, and what he gained by going off to college and living life was his family. It has made him a better artist and songwriter, as Brooks predicted.
Kent has encountered Brooks on a few occasions, including before his first move to Nashville, when he was just a teen.
“I met Garth Brooks when I was in Oklahoma and he was living there,” he says. “We cross paths, I see him, and I have this CD of three burnt songs I had written.”
Without hesitation, Kent walked right up to Brooks and said: “I say 'Garth, these three songs are so good, they belong on the radio right now.'"
He knew the songs weren't really great, but he also knew he needed to appear extremely confident. His bravery and dedication have paid off: Kent is now preparing to release his sophomore album debut, Black Bandana, on Sept. 6.
Additionally, he's running out on the Black Bandana Tour to coincide with the album. The tour kicks off on Sept. 21 in Paso Robles, Calif.
Adison Haager is the host for Taste of Country’s popular social media platforms. She brings the latest interviews with artists such as Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Lainey Wilson and more, producing them to Taste of Country’s YouTube, TikTok, podcasts and website.
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