Ep. 3. Cory Morrow, Texas Country Singer/Songwriter. A Story of Redemption and Recovery

Thank you for finding the Heroes and icons Podcast with your host Greg Randolph! My guest today is Cory Morrow, a Texas country singer who has an amazing story of redemption and recovery.  He is a longtime college fraternity brother of mine and a Texas country music icon. He began his musical career at Houston Memorial High School in the late 1980’s and he furthered his education at Texas Tech University in the early 1990’s, where his dream of becoming a country singer and songwriter really took off. His first album, self-titled, was released in 1997 and his latest album Whiskey and Pride was released in 2018. His journey includes a successful recovery from drugs and alcohol, and the rebirth of his Faith in GOD, and his Lord, Jesus Christ. He also helped found the Red Dirt Music Scene in Austin, in addition to releasing 16 albums in his storied career. He is involved in raising money for different charities in our Great State of Texas including Rock the Red Kettle every November with the Salvation Army of Austin, Texas. They can be found at Rock the Red Kettle 2022 - Austin Area Command (salvationarmyaustin.org) . He is a board member on the Majesty Outdoors foundation for kids without fathers. They can be found at Majesty Outdoors - Mentoring Fatherless Youth so please check them out and contribute to their cause as well if you feel called to do so.  Cory currently resides in the Austin, Texas area with his lovely wife and five kids.  Please support him at   Home - Cory Morrow but more importantly come see him live whenever he's in your area. Also look for his new cd and a book, both of which are forthcoming in 2023. Thank you again for listening! Please subscribe to, share and 5Star review the Heroes and Icons podcast if you are so inclined, and follw me on Twitter @ (20) Greg Randolph (@HeroesIconsPod) / Twitter Enjoy the show. Thank you!!

Transcript

 Thank you for joining us today on the Heroes and Icons podcast. I'm your host, Greg Randolph. Please find the show on Instagram at Heroes and Icons podcast and on Twitter at Heroes Icons Pod. You can also find this on future episodes wherever you enjoy getting your podcast. My guest today is a longtime college fraternity brother of mine and at Texas Country Music Icon.

He began his musical career at Houston Memorial High School in the late 1980s, and he furthered his education at Texas Tech University in the early 1990s where his dream of becoming a country singer and songwriter really took off my guest first album, self-titled, was released in 1997, which I still have in my personal collection.

Thank you very much.  and his latest album, whiskey and Pride was released in 20. His journey includes a successful recovery from drugs and alcohol and the rebirth of his faith in God. He also helped found the red dirt music scene in Austin. In addition to releasing 16 albums in his storied career, he's involved in raising money for different charities in our great state of Texas in.live and Rock, the Red Kettle every November with the Salvation Army of Austin and as a board.

On the Majesty outdoors.org Foundation for Kids Without Fathers. He currently resides in the Austin, Texas area with his lovely wife, Sherry, and five kids. Without any further ado , my guest today is the one and only Corey Morrow. It's been a few years. It's great to see you, man. And again, how are you and your family?

Good to see you as well. The one, I'm not the one and only did you know that there's a, there's a Corey Mars, a hockey player. He spells his name wrong, but Right, right. I, I  Well, as, as far as we're concerned. As far as we're concerned, yes. As far as the music scene's concerned. Yes. Well, I'm wonderful man.

Thank you for having me. Congratulations on the podcast. Um, thank you. We are, I'm good man. My life is good. Uh, music is good, family's good and God is good. And so, uh, we're here in, in, uh, Tomball, Texas. We're, uh, recording at the Main Street Crossing, which is one of my favorite venues in Texas. It's a very, uh, intimate, it's about 200 seat capacity and everybody sits down, it's a quiet room.

Uh, the owner, Matt Davis, tells everybody they gotta be quiet or he'll kick 'em out. And it's, it's, it's an amazing experience. And we typically play, um, somewhere between two and three hours, uh, for our show, which is quite a bit longer than, uh, our normal shows. And, um, so you kind of have to, you have to bring your Red Bull with you for these.

But, um, We're good, man. Uh, family's amazing. They're gonna be here tomorrow night or tonight actually, uh, for the show. So, um, we're gonna bring a couple of the kids up on stage to play some music and, you know, they tell you, tell you in the entertainment, entertainment industry not to follow, uh, an animal actor or children's act.

Okay. So I'm gonna bring both on stage tonight. Okay. Very good. So it's gonna be good. Excellent, excellent. Great to hear, man. So, so let me just, let me dive right in and, and ask you about, about growing up in Houston. So what was, what was your childhood like, and then what was your introduction to music and how were you first captivated by it?

All right, my childhood. Um, so I grew up, um, my parents divorced when I was about two or three. Um, my father remarried and he moved out to San Antonio for several years and then, uh, divorced and remarried again a little bit later. Uh, and lives down bluff Dale and has been married to his third wife now for 20 something, almost 30 years.

Um, But I grew up in Houston with my mom and, um, my two older sisters. And, uh, my mom remarried when I was 11. So, uh, spent good part of my, my youth and, and formative years kind of, uh, at home with, uh, a bunch of ladies in the house. And so, um, uh, but the music piece to it, uh, was introduced to a friend of my mom's, uh, her name Jan Smith.

And she picked me up from school one day and she had a harmonica in the backseat. And, uh, I was like, you know what, what is this? And she's like, harmonica, you know, give it a shot. She's like, how do you, how do you play that thing? And she's like, you just, you know, blow on it. So, Gave it a shot. And it was pretty awesome making all kinds of noises in the backseat.

And that began a collection of harmonicas. And, uh, every Christmas, everybody, somebody would, my grandfather, somebody would gimme a harmonica. Um, but my first guitar came, uh, when my stepdad and my mom, I guess I was about, I think I was around 14, um, maybe 12, somewhere in there. They went to Mexico, they went to a bordertown.

They were going hunting at Elise, and they'd, they'd go to the border towns to go shopping, and they saw guitar in a shop, and it, I think it was like $10. And, uh, my stepdad's kind of crazy. He liked to, he liked to drink and gamble and, and um, so he went in there and he said, uh, I'll give you, you know, uh, I give you $5 for the guitar.

Uh, see, no, it was, it was 20 bucks. It's 20 bucks for the guitar. And he says, I'll give you $10. And the guy's like, no, it's 20. And he says, okay, 15. And the guy says, no, it's 20. And my stepdad's like, well, you don't know how to do this, do you? And he says, are you gambling, man? He goes, I don't know. I don't know.

My stepfather lays down $40 on the, on the table. And then he pulls out a quarter and he's like, you flip it, you call it, if it lands on what you call, you keep the $40 in the guitar. If it doesn't land on what you call, I keep the $40 in the guitar. And the guy was like, okay. So he flipped it, called heads, it landed on tails.

My Joe picked up the guitar and the money and walked out. And then he came back around the corner and, uh, laid down $10, uh, on the table and said, that's what I wanted to pay for the guitar. So that was my first guitar. And they, they brought that home to me. , they gave it to me for like a birthday present or Christmas or something.

And. They gave me guitar lessons to go along with it. And, um, that kind of, that kind of started it, man. I, I, uh, started learning stuff. I was listening to, I had a friend who was teaching me about, uh, uh, led Zeppelin and The Stones and, uh, Bob Seger. And, and so I was listening to a lot of classic rock and, um, it, it all sort of culminated from there.

The, uh, the country aspect didn't happen until I got to college, but Okay. That was the beginning, man. Nice. So, so, so what was the first concert you went to? Did that, and did that have any influence on you? Yeah, I think there's always been something in my, uh, in my life. Uh, I, I think the very first concert I went to was Asia Wow.

In San Antonio with my, my dad and my stepsister. And, um, and I just remember it, it, it was all on the floor, like the, there was the big stage and we were down on the floor of this, of, of this, I think it was the, um, Hemisphere Arena something. Yeah. Something like, yeah. Honestly, something like that was back when they were doing the wrestling in that same arena.

Right? Sure. WWF on Friday nights Nice. With the, uh, the, the Von Ericks versus the Free Birds. You remember the, those days? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. So we're down on that floor. Um, and uh, I just remember it was a bunch of, bunch of folding chairs and we're not far from the, from the front of the stage man. And it's like these speakers are like 10 feet, 20 feet tall and they start playing and I was just like putting my fingers in my ears.

It was so loud. And we were, we were just right in front of a speaker. Yeah. And I was so young, it was just, it was too much. But I remember it was really cool cuz they came out playing, you know, doing their hit and stuff. Yeah. And everybody's going nuts and, uh, and then, I think the, the next concert I kind of remember is going to the Rolling Stones.

And I was somewhere around the same age, like 12 or 13, somewhere in there. Sure. And they were playing at the Houston Astrodome. Oh yeah. And I, we were way in the back on the ground, but like, I just remember looking, and they had the, it was the honky tonk, uh, uh, honky tonk woman, and they had the, they would blow up.

They were like these giant blow up dolls. Right. And I see 'em inflating and getting taller and taller, you know, and uh, and so I thought that was kind of cool. Um, but that's, uh, those are really my first real concerts. We went to see Jerry, Jeff, uh, at, um, God, what was it? Uh, what's the place over off of, uh, Washington?

I just played there, , you'd think I'd be able to remember what it is. Um, I was gonna say Gilley's just right off the top. No, it's here. It it was in, it's here in Houston. It's a, um, satellite lounge. I think it was. Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Really, really cool. Um, but diverse man, I remember listening to, um, to Mozart tapes, uh, when I was studying in junior high and high school.

Um, because it was just like, I, I couldn't block out everybody talking and everything else going on, so I'd put the Mozart tapes on and put headphones on and I'd be able to study cuz that music was just playing, but it wasn't words getting in the way and distracting me. It was just music and kind of gave me rhythms and, and things to think about while I was studying.

And there's actually apparently like the Mozart effect to studying, but I was unaware of that when I was doing it. So. Interesting. Yeah. Interesting. I wish I'd known that too. I wish I'd kept that when I got to college.  you and you and me both. . Okay. So we talked about your, about your first guitar and everything else, but when.

When, when did you know that you wanted to be a musician? When, when did that start to start to really hit you? Uh, that was about when you and I knew each other. Um, so it was at Texas Tech, you know, I got there in the fall of 91. Okay. Um, I had pledged, uh, Fiji in, uh, let's see, went through into spring of 92, fall 92.

Um, and somewhere in there, you know, became a, um, a member of the cabinet, you know, became an officer in the fraternity. Right. Yeah. And, um, , something like that happened. I, I think I was in charge of the, of the pledges and, uh, and I brought my guitar and my amp out, uh, when we were having, um, pledge appreciation nights and, uh,  I would play for, I would play for the, for the pledges.

And, uh, we'd do, we'd have them make up their own rhymes and I'd, I'd be doing down, down, out. And they'd have to go, uh, I wish I could get some sleep. I really don't like studying. No. And it kind of went from there. I, each one of 'em had to make up their own, um, lyric and, uh, they, they, some of 'em still remember that to today.

And they, they remind me about how much fun that was, that I came up to two o'clock in the morning for pledge appreciation night and played for them. That's pretty original. Yeah. Um, but I think, you know, we, uh, I all said my acoustic guitar and we would sit around over at David Henry's house, his apartment and, and play, and Pat came over and I met, I met Pat Green, so he had just picked up the guitar and, um,  didn't have any experience or, or nothing here, and I'd been playing for years through high school.

Mm-hmm. . Um, and so he came over and was, was trying to learn and I'd show him some, some stuff and we sat around and we kinda liked each other and we were listening to, uh, all of David Henry's CD collection, which, as you'll remember, covered his entire wall from ceiling to floor. I mean, That was the biggest collection of CDs I've ever seen.

It was more, it was like more than you could find at a, at a, at a, a CD warehouse or whatever. I mean, he had a couple thousand or something, kind of had his own collection. I mean, he was his own store. So we're just pulling CDs off the wall and we're popping 'em into a CD player and we're trying to learn them.

Um, this is before the internet or anybody being able to teach you what the chords structures are. So we're listening and trying to make sure that our guitars tuned correctly. So we're trying to figure out what the chords are. Um, and we do, we do an K job. Um, but we're both total novices. We're not very good musicians.

Um, but we sat around and we learned songs and, uh, everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. Right. And we did that till, you know, the sun came up and then they got us a gig at, uh, bash Rip Rocks. Yep. And, um, everybody came. . Yep. And it was like, uh, that was, that was really my first taste of the musician. Like, this is what I wanna do for a living.

So it was that show. Right. And it was the first one. Okay. We did two, two weeks in a row, if I'm recalling correctly. And the second one wasn't as well attended, but the first one was everybody was there. And it was like, uh, and I had heard stories of J Jack Ingram and JCO Pierce, and they were playing in college towns.

And I'd, I'd, uh, people were telling me about hundreds and hundreds of kids lining the walls and singing their songs and drinking and partying. And I'm thinking, this sounds like a blast. So when it happened for me and Pat, uh, in that capacity, it was just like, I was just high on, on that whole scene. Sure.

And so I thought, well man, if this can happen for us here like this, then uh, this is what I want to do. I think this is what I wanna do. So I quit. I quit school, like not long after that, like a few, maybe a few weeks later, I kind of made up my mind and, and withdrew and, and came home. And my mom. Yeah, she was not happy.

How did, so, so, so how did that go and then what was the, what was the next step for you after that? Um, it didn't go well. So my, my mom and my stepdad, uh, so I grew up with the family shrink, and, uh, we've been seeing one since I was like nine years old, uh, maybe earlier. And, uh, mom always thought that that was, uh, that was good medicine, having a shrink.

Um, and so I, I went to see the family shrink and, um, I had gave him a cassette i'd, I had, I think I had kind of written a couple songs at that point. And, um, uh, I, I recorded those for him on a cassette tape. And, um, I, uh, , I told him I had like a two year plan. I'd put together this idea of, of what I wanted to do and how long it should take me to kind of get some sort of success to where I could.

Um, and I would have a day job and I'd pay my own way. I'd pay my own rent, pay my food, pay my insurance. And, um, I figured out what kind of job I could get with no education and, and, uh, and I'd work during the week and then I had weekends off and I'd go work to, to be a musician on the weekends. And so he thought it was a pretty good plan.

I thought it was a good plan. And so when my parents came in to be like, ready for him to tell them that, you know, I needed to go back to school. Uh, and he did not tell them that I needed to go back to school. They were not, they were even less happy than when I came home for the first time. But, um, stepdad let me work for him for about six months and I saved up some money, lived with my mom and dad for, uh, stepdad for a little while.

And then I moved to Lakeway, uh, lived with my, uh, cousin and, uh, stayed there for about six months and then finally got my own place. And, um, it just started with, um, I found out where the kid, the college kids in Austin, uh, were gathering and, and who was playing there and like, what they were doing. And I'd watch, and most of the guys that were playing were just doing covers.

Um, and some of 'em were playing their own stuff, but they were mostly doing covers. And so that was, I found the, the bars where this was happening. And so I went and found the, the bar owners and I said, look, I'm, I want to do this too. Um, here's a cassette tape of my stuff. Here's a list of the songs I can play.

I can go four hours and, and entertain. And, uh, and so, you know, that that didn't start out too well. Um, but I finally got a gig in, uh, in, at a place called the Cloak Room. And um, I think I made like $3 in tips on the first night. And there were like maybe five people that came in. So it was a little, it was, it was discouraging in the very beginning.

And um, right. And then when I did finally get like a weekly gig, uh, not a lot of people attended. And it was, it was just still discouraging, but I just, I just kept doing it. And, uh, I had a lot of friends from high school Right. That were at college, uh, at ut mm-hmm. . And so I, I started talking with them and it's like, man, can you guys help me out?

Will all come see me on Wednesday night? Yeah. Yeah. We're gonna try to do that. Um, and they said, look, if we can't make it, uh, why don't you come play our burgers and beer on Thursdays? And I was like, absolutely. So they paid me a hundred bucks to play burgers and beer on Thursday, and that was like, a hundred bucks was like, you know, I, it was, it was so much money.

So much money. Yeah. And so, I paid for a PA system and they gave me free beer and free burgers, and I got to play for two or three hours and get drunk. And I thought it was great. Everybody had a blast. And, and so that kind of started the, the whole circuit was playing. Uh, I did the KA house. I did the Kig house and, and I started becoming, uh, somebody they wanted to hire in Fiji house.

Um, and then the sororities, uh, would hire me for some things and uh, and then people started coming.  to the show, and it kind of started to, to build. And, uh, we got, and then we got, uh, I got a couple of band members, um, and then we got a, a gig at a, a regular Tuesday night gig at, uh, Pete's Piano Bar. And that's when things really started to kind of pick up.

We had like a, I think it was a, a Dollar Miller Light all night long. Okay. And we went on at seven and played till midnight. Wow. Um, yeah. And, uh, it was, it was crazy. Uh, but we played for, there was like $2 to get in and we played for the door and I don't even, I have no idea what we ever made. I mean, I know I got paid, but I was, I was drunk a lot back then,

Um, but it was every week, every Tuesday. And then we, uh, we got a, a Wednesday gig in San, uh, in, uh, college Station at a place called The Tap. And it was same kind of thing. We just started building the following there and the fraternities and sororities supported us. And then, uh, then we got this really great opportunity in Austin on Thursday nights at a place called Hang Emai Saloon.

And we got to be the opening band so that I had to go find a drummer. Because we had a bass player and a guitar player, but we were like a three piece, uh, acoustic act. And we had to find a guitar player cuz our, our guitar player, acoustic guitar player quit. So we had to find an electric guitar player and a drummer.

And we did. And we got this full band opening spot for, I got to open up for Alabama. I got to open up for Merl Haggard, Willie Nelson, gap Pon, um, uh, the Bellamy Brothers. I mean, I got to open up for all these incredible acts at this bar on sixth Street every Thursday for a year. That's a pretty good company.

Uh, it was amazing. Yeah. And so that was, that was kinda like the mid to late nineties, uh, was when things really kind of started to take off for us. And then you went to, then at what point did you, did you go to Nashville at what, what at what point did that take place after the first, you said the, um, the first album was a self-titled album.

Then we took that, we took that self-titled album, um, and me and the guitar. , his name was Yen's Pinkernell. He was a six seven, uh, German. And uh, he just thick German accent and uh, just off the boat. I mean, he was . He just got into America and he played, he played rockabilly and he played great guitar and he was just big presence.

You know, he's six seven, just huge. Um, and he was all solid muscle. I mean, he was just this massive man, still is. I mean, um, but he, uh, he and I, we put on our cowboy hats and, and our blue jeans and blue jean jackets and everything. And we got in his Suburban, we took that record and we drove to Nashville and we made a couple calls and, um, set up a couple of appointments and we went up there to try to get a record deal.

And, um, it did, didn't fly. They didn't like it and they didn't like our record and they didn't like what we were doing. And so, and they told us so, and, uh, we were kind of distraught and discouraged and so we tucked their tail and drove back to Austin and, and, uh, I went, um, Up into my room and, uh, wrote, uh, Nashville Blues.

Um, and it was just essentially about, um, that that trip kind of got me down, you know, it was essentially what I was saying and that the, the, it was, it was about the scene in the industry and not, and not obviously about Nashville, Tennessee. Right. It was, it was more an a, a, a tribute to the music and the, and the musicians and the singer songwriters that, um, that I loved and that I had, um, an affinity for that I thought were awesome.

Willie and Whelan and Yep. Merle and, and, uh, uh, um, towns Vanzant, Chris Ladue. And, and so it was, it was more a tip of the hat to them, um, and talking about how, uh, there were some of them, like Willie left Nashville and moved to, moved to Austin, Texas and began a whole movement. And so it was just sort of like my way of saying, Did I relate to what they were doing?

Not that, uh, I'm was ever in the same, uh, ballpark as they were, but, um, that I was trying to do the same thing and it didn't work out. And so just trying to write my, my own little tune. There you go. Yeah. There you go. Excellent man. So, so, so, so that's Nashville and then, and then you come back and you kind of change gears and you get in on the, on the Red Dirt music scene in Austin.

What was, what was that time like? Well, so, um, wrote that song and wrote several other songs and then, um, and took some that I had written before that we didn't really, uh, record, um, and made a new record called The Man That I'd Been, and, um, It was, it was sort of that record that, that really was a springboard for us.

Uh, people really liked it and they dug into it. Um, they had a big city stripper on it and drink one more round. And, and these are sort of our, our more popular, older, original songs that people tend to, uh, relate to us when they hear our name if, if they're fans. Um, and so we did that record and then, um, it was like in 99, um, we, uh, we got the chance to do a live recording.

They, they had this, um, the, the place where we did the records had a mobile set up, and they were telling us that it was super cheap, um, and that we could record a live record and get, and they let us listen to somebody else's live recording that they did with this equipment. And it was great. And, uh, and it was like, you know, half the price of, of doing studio work.

So we, all we had to do was, was get our band to be rehearsed and go in and we would. And so we, uh, uh, my manager, uh, and I came up with this, uh,  this idea to, uh, uh, charge a hundred dollars, uh, for the ticket. So we, we played in four different venues. We picked one in Houston College Station, Austin, and Dallas.

Okay. And we set up the dates when we were gonna be there to record the show. Right. And we rehearsed for the whole show. And then, uh, we charged a hundred dollars. Uh, and you could buy, you could get all four tickets, a t-shirt and a copy of the cd, and your name would be on the T-shirt and your name would be on the CD if you gave us a hundred bucks.

And so we sold a hundred tickets at a hundred bucks, and it was $10,000. Sure. And that paid for the whole thing. And so, uh, it actually cost us, we, we had a little bit of a mathematical fudging on that one. We actually lost money on the whole deal. But, um, but it paid for, paid for the record. Okay. And, um, and so it was called Double Exposure.

It was our first live record, and we went and recorded most of the one, most of the, uh, most of the record. Recordings that we kept, uh, were from the Dallas Show at Port Davis's Pub. Um, the rest of the recordings in the different locations that we played just weren't the, the quality wasn't that great. We just seemed to have a really good show.

Um, the band was really on, and the recording was really, really good that night. And so, uh, most of it was from that show. But, uh, man, it was just, uh, that record. I had written a bunch of new songs as well. So we played songs from the first two albums, and then we also played like a whole album's worth of new record, new, new music.

So you got two CDs with this record, a live, what we called it, electric and then an acoustic. Right. And so, um, I love that. Yeah. And so, uh, it, it was, I, I thought it was pretty unique. And then the fact that we did do live recordings of, of songs that we had previously recorded in a studio, but we also did first Cuts Live of songs we'd never recorded ever.

So, um, which was kind of cool. And so very cool. A whole bunch of brand new music that's recorded live. And, um, man, that thing, just that, that really did a lot for us. Uh, that's when things started to really pick up and, um, uh, parted ways with my manager at that time. And then, uh, ended up getting Budweiser sponsorship, uh, dodge sponsorship, clo, some clothing, sponsorships, and, and we just started people kind of coming on board to help us and, and lift things up and start running with it.

And we started making more records, writing more songs, and, um, it just sort of, we started playing more places. We got book, great booking agent and, uh, I got, I got hooked up with William Morris booking agency, right. And we're traveling all over the country and all over the world, uh, trying to, you know, make a name for ourselves, but we never had a record deal.

We never had a label. We just, uh, we were all always, uh, always a solo independent act. Gotcha. Yeah. Gotcha. So, so how important are the, are the sponsors to.  to the show and everything that you're doing, how important are they in the beginning? Back then, in those days, they were, they were super important, um, because they, they helped get the, the word out.

They were able to, to hit markets and, um, and, and ears of people that, that we weren't able to do on our own. And they had their, their finger on the pulse of, uh, different, you know, locations. Uh, and it hold a whole, you know, uh, marketing.  team and base that, that we didn't have. Um, plus there was the financial aspect of it, which was really helpful.

And, and, um, I took, you know, I did, I was not very smart  with all of it. I spent all of it on, uh, goodies and stuff and um, you know, we, we got a bus and I bought a Porsche and we  bought a condo and I spent most of the money they gave me instead of reinvesting it. One of the things I didn't learn at tech was, uh, the, any of the business that, uh, I was in the business school, but I didn't really pay much attention, which I wish I had.

So I think it would help me. Well, but those things, I mean, and, and buying those things and spending money on those things that, that's just part of the education, right? No, that's part of me thinking it was cool and I wanted people think I was cool. Be, be, that isn't me. I think, um, well, it's all part of the, it's all part of the, the story is, uh, right, you know, you're a product of your raising your product, of the, of your environment and the things that happened to you that influence you, that you allow to influence you.

And I allowed a lot of things that, uh, were not necessarily good for me to influence me. And I went down those paths and made those choices and, and, uh, ended up where, where I was. And I was, uh, miraculously saved from death and from a destruction, um, multitude of times, uh, throughout the story of my, my life and my career, uh, until I really came to my, my knees.

Uh, and, uh, finally gave it all up. And, uh, realizing that, uh, the path I was on was, was really not leading anywhere positive. So what was, so was there, was there one specific thing that, I mean, there was, there was the arrest in 2005. Okay. But was. Was there one specific thing as aside from that, I mean, does, was there the proverbial, you know, the intervention from family, was there someone in your inner circle or did you just kind of have the epiphany on, uh, on your own, like, Hey, I can't keep, I can't keep going like this?

Well, there were a multitude of things. I mean, so there were several things. Uh, one was, uh, when I was 25, um, I was living with these, these, uh, these Aggies in a house in north Austin. And, uh, they had just graduated and they're trying to make, they're trying to figure out what they were gonna do with their lives.

And I was trying to figure out what I was gonna do and, and so I'm. When we make these albums and we have, uh, some success. It wasn't a, like a permanent success, like things didn't just go up and we, we, you know, coasted, it would go up and then we'd go down, like attendance would go up and attendance would go down.

And I didn't have the greatest of management, um, at the time. And, um, we, that was sort of always like a, um, a really difficult thing for me is really trying to find a good, uh, trustworthy manager. I, I struggled with that for, for years. Um, and, and, and then, uh, until we got with William Morris, it was really difficult.

Uh, the booking, getting all that right was, was basically your buddies were helping you do all your stuff. And so right. You end up getting guys that don't know what they're doing and maybe they have questionable morals and values. And so, um, I, I struggled a lot with depression, um, and uh, when I was 25, I, I, uh, kind of lost it and got really drunk and.

just lost it. I was so sad. I, I did, I wasn't where I wanted to be. Um, and things weren't taken off like I'd hoped they would. And, um, my ego was take taken a beating. So, um, I kinda lost it one night and, um, just sort of destroyed, uh, the living room with a baseball bat and a bag of, uh, Jack in the box. Okay.

And, um, called my sister. And, uh, she kind of talked me down and the next morning I, I drove to Houston and my stepdad and my mom put me, uh, into, uh, the Methodist Hospital in downtown Houston, uh, for depression. And, uh, stayed there for a couple weeks and kind of cleaned up and sobered up and, um, tried to figure it out.

And that helped. And that was, that was sort of a wake up call. Um, and then, uh, another time I, uh, was. Been up all night, uh, doing drugs and drinking and, uh, my buddy had been up all night too and he was just drinking and, uh, he didn't know I was doing, uh, cocaine. And um, so he got in the car with me at 6:00 AM and he, you know, surprisingly I was sober ish, right?

Looked sober, acted sober cuz the, cuz the cocaine. And so everybody was really surprised that I was with it. And, uh, so I got in the car and, and drove us home and, um, I was going really, really fast and we were laughing and having fun listening to, to the radio and had it all turned up and I lost control, uh, at like a hundred miles an hour and was able to slow down, uh, to about 60 before we hit an intersection.

And I couldn't slow down enough to get stopped before the intersection. So we. Flew through it and I had to avoid different cars and was just, it was a miracle that I didn't hit anybody or kill anybody. But we made it through the intersection and by the time we got to the other side, I had, I had swerved one last time to, to avoid a car.

And that swerve caused me to go into a spin. And then we spun off the road and, and flew into the, um, into the brush, into the bushes. And, uh, went through a building, like a little makeshift, uh, pottery Barn. This guy was selling pots and, and stuff on the side of the road. And like this little, you know, he had, he had made this little building where he sold stuff.

I went right through the corner of it and um, and went into the woods and totaled the car. And nobody, nobody was seriously hurt at all. Like, we walked away. We, and we got picked up by, uh, my, my, uh, assistant at the time and taken home and just, you know, fell on our knees crying. Uh, cuz we'd just been through a life, you know, life and death situation.

And that was a wake up call. Um, It was things like that kept happening. Um, and, um, I overdosed on, on, uh, on drugs one night and woke up and was just lying in a, you know, pool of vomit and, um, uh, couldn't believe that I was still alive. And then, um, and then finally the one thing that that really got it, you know, the, the, uh, the arrest, that one was kind of the big one.

And you would've thought that that would've been it, you know, that would've been the one. Um, cuz it was a DWI possession of cocaine and it hit the papers and the, uh, the Budweiser folks had to, had to stop being my sponsor. The, the car car folks had to stop being my sponsor. I, I lost everything. Um, and um, and that was a pretty big low spot.

And, um, it was actually like not long after that that I met my wife. And, um, and so, uh, you know, you want me to just. Give you the full story , because this is kind of, we're kind of leading up into it. If you don't mind, go for it. I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna keep going so please, please do. Um, so growing up with, with, uh, without really a father figure and without really like a male role model to teach me about right and wrong and what it, what a man is supposed to be, I get, um, most of my education from watching movies and TV and from the people around me and, and the, the one man that's in my life on a, on a constant is my stepdad.

Well, he really liked, uh, he loved to smoke weed and he loved to drink and he loved to go to Nudie bars. And so, uh, you know, by the time I'm 18 I'm going to the Nudie bars with him and I'm smoking pot with him and I'm drinking with him. And, uh, he's really, he's, I know he loves us cuz he took care of us and he, and he created a business to take care of us and, and.

but he just, he had his own scars. His, his, his growing up was really difficult too, and I didn't find that out till later. But, uh, we just, we butted heads and we had a hard time. Our relationship was, was really difficult. Um, and he was, he was not very respectful of my mother. And, um, so this is sort of the model that I'm getting growing up.

And so I have this really big insecurity with myself, my sexuality, uh, like I'm, I'm, I'm just very insecure, um, from a, from a man manly sort of aspect. And I don't know what it means to be a man. I think having sex means that's what. That's what you have to do to be a man. So, you know, the first time that I had sex, I paid for it in a, in a border town, and I was 18.

And it was, it was, it was the worst thing I, the worst memory of my life. And that was just like, it was awful. And, uh, and from that point on, I, I objectified women and was trying to, to conquer as many as I could. And so it was, uh, not, uh, a matter of, uh, appreciation for them. It was just more of just like a, an addiction, right?

And so when I started to play music that started to feed the addiction because girls were attracted to me because I was playing music on stage. Understandable. So it took full advantage of that. And then you add, you throw in drugs and alcohol and a, and an altered messed up sense of self. Um, and you've got a pretty big recipe for, um, trouble and disaster.

And so, um, you know, after the arrest, I, I met my wife and I, I always thought. It, um, that if I found the right woman, that the right woman would fix everything in my life. And so, um, I was kind of like always searching for this unicorn, even though I knew in my heart that even if I'd met her, I would've screwed it up because I didn't have any, I didn't, I, I didn't like myself.

There was, which was another problem. So I've got all these things that are twisted in my, my upbringing, but there is a sprinkle of goodness in there, in that my, my mom baptized me when I was an infant, and I think that was a saving grace. Uh, I, I truly do. And I, I, she would, she would drop me off at, uh, my friend's houses who were, uh, Christians and they would go to church on Sunday morning.

They were Baptist. They'd go to church on Sunday morning. So Saturday night I'd spend a night at Brett's house and he and his mom and sister and dad would, we'd all go to church together. So kind of in elementary school I'm thinking I want to be a Baptist. And then I go to, uh, lathe Lodge youth camps and I'm about 12.

And I get, I accept Christ in my life down by the Frio River. And I come home and I tell my mom about it, and she's like, that's great. And. Nothing really comes of it. And we don't, we don't talk about it. We don't practice. There's no bible study in the house, there's no church, there's nothing. And so, uh, then I joined, um, uh, uh, young life, you know, do young life through, through high school.

And that was more of the cool thing to do rather than an opportunity to really open yourself up and talk about Jesus at our school anyway. But, but the seed was definitely planted in all these different places, right? Right. So I'm thinking that if I find the right woman and she loves the Lord, that maybe she can help me fix all these things that are broken in me, and, and she can, uh, she can save me and set me right with Jesus.

So I was really confused about Jesus and God and, and all that, and, and faith. And so when I met my. Her whole family loved the Lord, and she followed God's teachings. And she was just this beautiful person. I just was completely enamored. And I thought, oh, she's pretty, she's fun. She's younger than I am, which is awesome.

She also had never heard of me, so my ego was like, kind of taken a beating, but it also was like an opportunity because she didn't know anything about me. She didn't know about the arrest, she didn't know my music. And so this was like, oh man, I can start over, right? Like, and I kind of had this bad rap of being this really just kind of a, a jerk.

And I was like, man, I could, I could be whoever I want with her, and who I wanted to be was this. I wanted to be everything I knew I could be. Um, and so I stepped into that persona with her and I, and I told her about everything I had done and, and who I was and everything, but I also was.  practicing being the best person that I knew how to be without really having any kind of a, anybody teach me what that looked like.

Right. Um, and so, uh, we start in, um, fall completely in love and, and, uh, you know, we get married two years later and, um, start having kids. And we've got a two year old and a one month old. And, um, through that, through the, those four years, uh, I was, uh, first few years I, I was pretty good. And then, uh, I started to stray and started to, uh, mess up.

And every time I messed up I'd be like, man, I'm not, not gonna do that again. I can't believe I did that. I'll never do that again. I'm never gonna do that again. And then I would do it again and, and I'd beat myself up and I'd say I wouldn't do it again. And one day I came home and, you know, and she said, uh, I know, I know something's up and I need you to tell me the truth.

And if you tell me the truth, we'll have a chance. And if you don't tell me the truth, we're done. And so I'm just sitting there. , like trying to figure out what to do. And, uh, it was a, it was a long, uh, a long day of, of me, um, coming to the point of, uh, telling her the things that I had done. Mm-hmm.  be, but before all that happened, uh, I had this, like, I saw this light come through the, the roof of the house and felt this like warmth and felt this, this voice kind of tell me to tell her everything.

And, uh, I didn't really follow that voice at the time cuz I was like trying to figure out how to get out of it. Right. But I was like, let me tell her the most obvious one and that didn't work. And, and then we went down the line and, you know, we finally get the, get it all out. And it ended up being, you know, something that I hadn't actually done yet, but I had intended to do.

Okay. And so, um, but that happening was clearly to me, something supernatural and, um,  and I've just, something was happening in that moment, like every time I told her something that I'd done a secret, uh, something that I was hiding, I felt this like release. Right. You know what I mean? Like this confession that when confession's real, when you, it's when you say it, it's gone.

It like, it just falls off your shoulders. Yep. Well, I saw it fall under her shoulders. And so every time I was relieving myself, I was killing her. And, uh, come to find out later, that's like the picture of Christ on the cross. And so, um, I go through a process of, uh, when we're done, I called a friend and uh, and I said, man, I'm my trouble.

Marriage is in trouble. I'm in trouble and I don't know what to do. And I think maybe Jesus is the answer, but I don't even have a clue what that looks like. And I don't know what to do. I don't know how to go down that road. Will you, do you know Jesus ? And he's like, yes, I do. And I was like, man, will you help me?

And he said, yes. He met with me every, every Monday for like a year. And, and walked me through, um, the Bible and walked me through, uh, my, walk me through, uh, knowing and, and Jesus. And he introduced me to a bunch of different people. I started gonna Bible studies and men's groups. And, uh, over that course of time, I, I accepted Christ in my life.

And, um, and so it was really, it was that moment that day. It was September 12th, 2000, September 24th, 2012, um, the best, worst day of, of my life and my wife's life. It was, uh, the, the end of one marriage for us in the beginning of a new one. Um, and we had, we had, like I said, two kids at that time and, uh, uh, it's been 10 years and we've, we had three more kids after that.

Yes. And, uh, and so it's the, the story is now that, um, I. Playing for myself and playing for notoriety and for people to love me, get on stage and have girls love me, and to get drunk and try to be, um, a spectacle. Um, I get up on stage and I, I tell them the story of all that and I, and I, uh, express my love for, for Christ.

And I, I share, uh, his name with everybody and tell them that that's the thing that saves. And, uh, if you wanna talk about it, I'll be at the merch table after the show and I just tell, I just tell everybody that they're loved and that that love is Jesus and that it set me free and it can set you free too.

And so I kind of open up that door for a few seconds and then, um, I can't, I, I go to the merch table after the show and I just wait for people to come up to talk to, um, at these acoustic shows. Uh, I usually spend about 20 minutes walking through what I'm just did with you. Sure. I go through the whole story with people and I give them a more of a, a detailed background of the things that went on.

And, um, and then, you know, then we do the whole show. But with the full band shows, uh, I just do like. You know, 10, 15 seconds, just tell 'em that they're loved. Sure. And it's Jesus. And come see me after the show. Right. And it's, it's been really amazing. You know, I can go back to Bash Rip Rocks where it all started, where I can barely remember playing the show cause they were so drunk.

And I can, I can talk to the drunk people that, that are there. And so you say the name of Jesus to a person who's drunk and they, they kind of like look at you like, uh, did he just say, Jesus ? We're in a bar with a bunch of people doing all kinds of bad things and, and he's talking about Jesus. And it's like, yeah, man, that's exactly right.

Like, everybody needs to hear that name. Everybody needs to know about him and about what he can do for you. So that's, that's the whole point. And I, I have to acknowledge you because this is, this is an amazing, an amazing story. And, and it's the, I I guess the, the thing to me is that would, would you, would you say that in, in looking back on, on all of those things that.

That God took you through all of those, all those rough waters and everything else to bring you to where you are present moment hundred, so, so that you could serve others in hundred capacity. Yeah. I feel like in the last 10 years since I woke up, since that moment on at the table where I didn't necessarily respond to his calling , um, but I, I, I acknowledged that he was talking to me, um, to the moment that I accepted him.

Um, and I.  seeking him cuz he was always seeking me. I, I feel like ever since then that he's been laying out a plan for my life. Um, and it's, it's been, it's not been easy, man. Like we, my, you know, my wife and I don't, it's not like biscuits and gravy every day. Um, and being an, an adult, taking care of five kids and running a business, I mean, it's, it's life.

Life is what it is. It throws stuff at you. It's just knowing that I can get up in the morning and I can go to him, I can pray to him, I can get, I can get right with him and I can have him be my filter so that when I do every day run into difficulties and scenarios that are hard, um, I filter those through, uh, his word and I can hopefully respond in a way that's better than me.

Just knee jerk reacting in ugliness in response to ugliness. I can respond with love. Um, and I do believe that he set all this up. I mean, I made the choices, I made sure, um, but I believe that he was there.  during each choice at the end of each choice. And he was making himself available. Um, and then when I finally did see him and look up and, and was aware of him now, uh, again, over the last 10 years, I, I keep coming back.

Even if I turn for a minute, I, I keep coming back to him cuz I know he is there. Right. You know, and I know that that's my foundation. And I, I used to, I used to say in the very beginning of my walk, I'd say, God, break me and remake me because I'm, I'm completely defunct. I'm a, I'm a mess. Whatever it is that is me is not good enough.

And I want to be good enough for you. I want to be what you want me to be. I want to be, I want to be the best Corey that God intended me to be. Um, , my, my mother-in-law used to tell me to be careful with that one cuz she's like, God is faithful. He'll, if you ask that prayer, he'll, he'll answer that prayer

And he did. And he, he broke me all the way down. And I used to, you know, there's the story about, um,  God coming in to move into your house. Like you built a house for God to come live in. And he comes in, he starts knocking walls down and redoing the plumbing and expanding everything. And, and you're like, what is he doing?

It's like, well, you invited him. Come live with you. You don't think he's gonna live in your house. He's gotta live in a palace. He's gonna make it fit for a king. He's not gonna just live in any old house. He's gonna, he's gonna make this a house that's fit for a king. And your house is the, you know, the, the imagery is your house, your body is that house and your, the temple, your brain, your mind, your heart, your everything about you is that house.

And so God's trying to help you shape and, and get yourself into a righteous, holy place that you can actually start walking with him and you can start letting him live in your life and, and living your house. And, and so, uh, it's a process and it's a journey that will, you know, it, it isn't gonna be completed while we're here.

Uh, and, and it's, it's really. It's, it's, it's hard. It's really hard, but it's also incredible. And whenever, during the hard parts, I just, I, I clean to hope and I surrender. And it's just when you start to just let go, uh, there's, there's, the world always taught me that, you know, surrendering and letting go is a bad thing and it's weakness, but man, it's the greatest strength in the world when you do that with God because he doesn't, he doesn't condemn you or shame you.

He, he lifts you up and empowers you and, and fills you with hope and joy. And you find out that, uh, everything that you could accomplish here as far as happiness on, uh, earth is basically dependent upon the situation and joy is, is attainable no matter what the situation. And that's like, that's something like, that's a beautiful I'm, I'm seeking after that on a regular basis.

Mm-hmm. . Absolutely. Man. That's, this is really just a, a, a beautiful story. It, it really is. And I'm, I'm personally, I'm brother. I'm very, very proud of you and I'm very grateful that, that you're still here with us . I, I, I truly am. Man. That's a miracle. Thank you. I am, I am as well. You're, you're welcome, brother.

I, I know it's been a journey for you. I, I, I know it has. And you know, there's, you know, when you, when you see someone, when, when I'm doing these, when I'm doing these, you know, I don't, I, I don't know what, what, what these, what these answers are gonna be. Right. I've, I have no idea.  and so, and so to, for you to be, you know, open and transparent and vulnerable and say, Hey, this is, this is everything I've, I've been through.

Yeah. And all, all these things that, that got, or again, again, God qualified you to by, by going through those things, he qualified you to help someone else who might be, might be in the same situation. Yeah. He keeps, keeps putting people in front of me that are having a hard time and, um, and I'm having to learn how to, uh, to just.

not, not try to answer their questions in a, in a way, like, I don't have the answers to, to your problems. Uh, the only answer I can tell you is that it's, it's, it's in him. Um, and that it begins with a step of faith and a leap of faith. And, and it's, it's exactly the definition of it is you don't have a reason to step forward and trust that your feet are gonna be held up, but you know you're supposed to.

Right? And so you step out in faith, uh, and trust that you're, that you're not gonna fall flat on your face. Right? And, uh, and that God is gonna be there because he is real. And, and I tell people like, until you can do that and until you can surrender everything you've got him, um, you're, you're gonna continue to, to struggle with the difficulties that you've got.

I mean, there's no magic potion that when you accept Christ in your life, your struggles stop. In fact, they probably get harder, right? It's just he gives you.  the ability to, to see those struggles, um, in a different way. And you don't, you don't look at them as things that are bringing you down and making your life more crappy or, uh, belittling yourself, um, or, or, or manifesting this self-loathing or, you know, this pity, um, he, he, em empowers you, emboldens your, your ability to have a perspective of, of, of, that there's something greater coming out on the other end of this suffering that you're going through, right?

And, um, and you, you just dig in and, and you start to have this supernatural peace, uh, and, and your perspective is just heightened. And, um, the, the, the struggle that you've got may never go away, but how you're reacting to it, responding to it, and living with it totally changes. And so you're not, you're no longer a victim of what's happening to you.

Um, you're. You're, who knows what you're, what you're able to do with it. Maybe you'll be able to go around and tell people about how God's helped you manage your life in the midst of this h h horrible turmoil. Yeah. Um, I don't know, but um, I do know that no matter what's happening, that he is the answer.

And that if once you trust that, uh, things change one 100% on that. And I would, I would just add to that, that if, if I ever have anything thing like that and, and, and I go to God with it or, or do whatever it is, , I mean, God, what, what I get back is like, don't you think I can handle this? Right? You know, like, like I'm like, like be still a know that I am God.

Do you really think that this is too big for us? Like, I'm like, we, I'm ready here. We made the, made the world in six days, rested on the seventh. What? You don't think I can handle this little thing that you've brought to me? Oh my gosh. Yeah. It's good stuff, man. . So, so, so let me ask you this. So, so when in, in relation to, to our Heavenly Father, What, what similarities do you see in, in that now that you're a father of, of, of five children?

Mm-hmm. . What, what similarities do you see when maybe where, maybe where God is, is telling, telling you, me, us, you know, would, would at least me anyway, hand raise front of the line? Would you just do what I'm telling you to do? Yeah. I mean, I mean, amen. It's, I, I, I think every parent would, would, even the best intentions is gonna come to the place where they feel like they've failed, you know, like they're just trying to get through to their kids and they're just not listening.

Right. Um, and, and you're doing the best you can and you're, and you know, you, you try not, I try not to get to the point where I'm yell, but I'm, I always end up yelling , and it's just like, gosh, dang it, you know, uh, what's, you know, what's the matter with you? It's like, Hey man, he's eight. Oh yeah. That's what's the matter with him?

Um, and I think that, . I, I know, I know that, that having children and being a father is one of the greatest gifts. It's, it's probably one, I think it's absolutely one of the greatest gifts that God gives you. And I, I feel, um, a, um, my heart breaks for those that don't have that experience for whatever reason.

Because there's something, something happens in you, in you that changes when, when you have that child. And, and I think I, I don't know from an adoption standpoint that it's, uh, the same, but I, I have to imagine that it is, I have to imagine that there's something that changes in your heart. Yeah. Because when you have your child and you're raising this child, and this is your child.

Yeah. And you love this, this child, and you would, you would absolutely jump in front of a bus to save this child, but you also sometimes want to throw them into the side of a bus to wake 'em up. . Um, but you just, you just, uh,

there is a training. I think there's, there's an education for yourself and for your wife, uh, that. Uh, happens with, with raising a child and, and there's a huge turn of introspection. And, and so the more that you go to God to help you raise that child, the more God's turning the mirror onto you and saying, Hey man, you want me to help you raise this child?

Help me get you right so that you can be the example that this child needs so that we can raise this child, right? Like, let me work on you and let your actions and your deeds and your your speech be the example for this child. And come to me and keep coming to me and keep talking to me and we together will work on you.

And then that will in turn be the influence that that is this child's. And, and it's like the best, uh, the best teaching advice you can give is, is to be the example for your kids. Cuz they're gonna see everything they see they pick up on. You can tell 'em all day long.  and, and you hear these things cuz it's a cliche, but the, um, they're, they're a cliche because they're so ridiculously true.

And, and so the best, uh, teacher for a kid is, is your example. Right? And so if, if you're not doing it, don't open your mouth to tell your kid to do it. Don't, don't tell your kid. Do as I say, not as I do, because that's like the worst thing. It's, my mom used to say that to me too. As I say, not as I do. I'm like, really, really?

Of course I did what she did, you know? Sure. Because you're gonna do what you, you're gonna do what, what your influence influences are doing. Right? That's cuz that's, that's your product of your raisin. Yep. So, um, and it's not, you know, there's, people have stories for Oh my, they they were right. They did the right thing and I still ran the other direction.

Like I said, I don't have the answers for everybody. I, I just know that the answer's in him and whatever your story is. Yeah. Uh, the only, the on, the only Right. Uh, and good, um, way through it is, is to, to surrender and give yourself up to him one, 100%. And I would, I, and. . I've even done some of that on my own personal reinvention over the last year.

I've, I've, uh, started a done a study, it's called, uh, authentic Manhood, and it's, uh, just authentic manhood.com, whatever. But I've, I've done four of the six series, and then I've been sidetracked a little bit with the podcast, but I need to get back on it and finish it. Yeah. But it's an amazing, it's an amazing series and it talks about, about all those things that, you know, where, where anyone's story is concerned.

Like how does, how do as men, how do we fit into these things? How do, how do we relate to, to all these different items, work, women, you know? Mm-hmm.  everything else. And so it's, so I would, I would recommend that to All right on. Right on. Anyone? Well, I, anyone too, it reminds me of the biblical manhood, uh, bible studies that I was going to in the very beginning and just realizing that, you know, honoring and honoring your wife, um, and your children with the, the things that you do, um, is.

Is huge. And, um, the way that you spend your time, how you speak to people, um, your, your example is just so strong in their lives. And so, uh, raising four boys and a little girl is, uh, a huge responsibility. Um, but it's one that I just fully embrace and I'm so grateful that I get to do that. Um, I, I, I, I wouldn't say that it's scary and, uh, except for the, you know, you just hope that nothing bad happens to them.

And, and you hope that, uh, that when they leave the nest, that your example was, was a good one, and that they have something to go to run on. That's, that's all. And that's the only thing that's, that scares me is that I'm not, I'm not living up to the standard that he set for me. And so that's what motivates me every morning is to get up and be like, and I can't, if, if it was up to me, I'd be screwing it up.

So I'm leaving it up to you and just keep, keep compelling me forward. That's, that's all we can do. That's all we can do, ma'am. Well, let me, let me ask, uh, Let me get to a couple other things here. So you've, so you've sung the national anthem at, at stadiums that hold 70,000 people. And I actually saw you do the one at the, at the Texans game, um, is the, the Anthem is, is a kind of a tough song to sing anyway, but I'm guessing when you're on stage and you're passionate about a song, it's just that much easier to sing.

Am I, am I saying that right? Uh, like, like the, uh, national anthem being, am I passionate about the national anthem? Yes. . I'm not asking if you were a, you know, a, a red-blooded American. I'm a redblood American. I, I know you are. I think honest, I'll be honest, like, sure. I don't, I don't, my wife, my wife actually spoke to me more about the words and she, you know, she was like, it's, there's such a beautiful lyrics.

Like think about the history and think about what he was, what he was seeing when he wrote it and think about it. And I'm just like, I'm not thinking about that. I'm thinking about not missing the note and forgetting the words. So, For, for me, it's, I get, I get the beauty of life, uh, sometimes through the eyes of my wife, which is just an incredible blessing.

But, um, for something like that, uh, unfortunately I'm so dense. Uh, I, you know, I, I don't nervous and like I'm, I don't wanna screw this up, so I'm more focused on just making sure I start on the right note and that I know the words and, um, and, and sometimes I'll be thinking about what the words really mean, and then you can, then you kind of, you kind of dig in a little bit and sing a little with a little bit more love, but, Uh, I'm nine times outta 10 when I'm singing the Anthem in a place like that where there's not many people, I've, I've got my eyes shut and I'm basically praying that I don't screw it up.

And, uh, and that I, it seemed pretty and that it ended. I hear cheers when I'm done. Cuz uh, those, that's one of those, uh, narcissistic moments where you really, you really want to do it right cuz you want people to be happy with you. No, absolutely. Absolutely man. No, no, you always do a great job with those and those are, those are fun to listen to.

It's a challenge for sure. . So what is, what is your relationship like with your, with your band and your relation to them? What's a, what's kind of a, a day in the destination city? Like where you, maybe you come in and you get, you get set up, you do a sound check and you play for a couple nights as you, like.

You are here at Main Street Crossing and Tom. Yeah. It's different than it used to be. Um, you know, 10 years ago, 15 years ago, um, We'd be, we'd be on the bus in the old days and just travel from town to town and wake up from a hangover and start drinking to the next one and get on soundcheck and kind of cut up and, and play for a couple hours.

Try to work stuff out, be silly. Uh, go get something to eat. And, uh, we would, uh, just try to figure out what, what girls were in that town and that kind of thing. Um, and now , uh, we will, most of us will, some of us will wake up before we get there, uh, and get some coffee brewing. And then some of the guys won't wake up until like, it's time for sound check and load in.

And then everybody will get up and do their job and get the, get the stage set and, and we'll come out and we'll, we'll do a check and it'll take 30 minutes and then we go eat. And then usually most of us go take a nap. There you go. And then, uh, we wake up a few hours before the show and we start getting dressed and talking about what, uh, what's going on in our lives, what's going on in politics, and then, uh, get a set list put together and, um, kinda talk about the, the music for a second, and then, uh, we go hit it.

Nice. It's way, way less exciting and, uh, and, and interesting than it used to be, but it's also a lot safer and, um, a lot more, um, reliable. Well, I mean, that's what happens when you turn 50, right? Uh, well, yeah. 40, 40 to 50. Sure.  Well, whatever it might be. Whatever it is. Yeah. 42, you know, 50 whatever. I, I think I, I finally understand the difference between an, an adult and a grownup.

And I think it was kind of, uh, it was, I, I feel like I'm a grownup more than I used to be. Um, I still am sort of a kid at heart, but there is the grownup aspect of, of my life that I'm definitely embracing now that I never did before. Same here. Same, same here. My wife and I have a similar, I think it's an okay thing to say.

No, absolutely. Grownup's not a bad word. It's not a four letter word yet. No, it's not. It's not . Not yet. No, not yet. So, so what is, what is your definition of, of success? I'm sorry. I just, I had a, what does that look for? I just had a, a , a vision of, yeah. Well I saw that lady in, in the, in the movie Big In uh, in, you remember that movie with Tom Hanks?

Yeah. And he's a 12 year old and a 30 year year old's body. And Yeah. And then the, the boyfriend was all pissed off cuz she's gonna move in with Tom Hanks and, and he says, what does he have that I don't have? And she goes, well, he's a grownup . I just like, oh my gosh. Sorry. Uh, that's a, that's a squirrel moment right there.

Um, well I'm still laughing at your pledge appreciation there. What, what was your, what was your question? What is, what is your definition of success? Oh, well it's definitely changed. Um, it used to be, uh, money cars, house. Fame, women respect and notoriety. Um, and now it's, um, uh, to be able to, uh, have the courage to say the name of, of Christ on the stage and, um, to, uh, to be able to, to meet with people after the show and have that open dialogue.

Um, to be a good husband to my wife, to honor her, uh, and to love her and to respect her and to be a good father to my children, um, and, uh, to love my God every day and, and to walk with him and, and, and to attempt to surrender my, my life to him every day. Um, it, that's, that's, that's the difference. It, uh, I feel really strongly that, um, I have, I still have these tendencies towards the old, uh, definition of success.

And I still have a, a financial. A mental financial struggle because, you know, there's always that comparison game. You, you run into an old friend and he's, you can see that he's doing well, and you can hear him talking about that he's doing well and, and success is, and success in the world is, is almost always tied to financial.

And, um, and so there's, there's that, that's sort of ingrained in my human nature, uh, from growing up around it that I, that I battle with. Um, and that's one of those things that I can surrender and just say, I don't, I don't want to feel this way. I don't want this to be what fills my mind in my heart and what I obsess on.

I wanna let this go. And I want you to, I want you to define my success and, and if there's gonna be financial success in my life, then I'm gonna attribute it to you. And, um, and I just had the biggest year financially that we've had in over 10 years this year, and I've 1000000%, uh, attribute it to God. And I just, I feel like, uh, we, we have.

I've just let go of the finances. Not like, not like in an, um, um, uh, like irresponsible manner. Sure. I have just let go of my mental, uh, uh, uh, you just know that God's clinching. Yeah. Like my grasp around it, trying to control it, I've let go and I said, I'm gonna be responsible. I'm going to be diligent. I'm going to be frugal.

I'm gonna be smart with my finances, and we're gonna do the, the wise and shrewd thing, uh, as we go every, every week, every day, every month. Um, but I'm not going to wrap my brain around it all the time worrying about it, sweating it out, stressing Yep. Pinching pennies. I'm just, I'm gonna let God have all of it.

And, um, it's just been a minute. It's been an amazing relief. I, I, I can't say that I don't slip back into it. Right. But, um, I'm, I'm, I'm giving it up to him. So much more often and I'm letting go so much more often. And, and it's just been, uh, an unbelievable, um, turn of events. I mean, things have just really, we just had a really great year and I, I feel more at home on stage.

I feel more grateful on stage and I feel like, um, my, my head and my heart are in the right place and I'm in the right place every time I'm on that stage. And that's really a neat feeling cuz there's been a huge amount of in, like I told you before, insecurity and, um, and, and there was always a fear I used to have to get drunk before I got on stage cuz I was just so afraid.

Right. You know, of getting up there. And now I just, I really look forward to getting up there and sometimes I look forward to having an uncomfortable silence. Like everybody else is uncomfortable. I'm like, does that feel weird you guys? Did you feel it? ? They'll be like, yeah. I'm like, it's weird, right? But, uh, yeah.

That's very cool, man, to connect with your audience like that as well. So how does it, how does it make you feel to, to know that you've influenced, uh, some, some other up and coming. Young artists, cast like Wade Bowen and Josh Abbott, have I influenced them? I hope it, I hope it was good. Um, I, I hope, I hope that, uh, that what we're doing now in the last 10 years and the direction that we're going, and the longer, you know, time is a great, um, um, a great tester.

It's a great, um, uh, defense. Like the longer that you can stay on a, on a path, uh, towards something honorable like, uh, a faith, um, faith in Christ, the longer that I stay on that path and I devote my life to him, the more that people see that it's not, it's not a phase, it's not a passing thing. That it's actually taken hold and it's changed me, and it's, and it's, and it's a good thing.

And then when they see me, they can see that it's done good things for me physically, mentally, spiritually, and that it's affecting all aspects of my life in a positive way. I'm hoping that that's the influence that they'll. They'll see, and they'll want to know more about what that looks like and that it's, that it's attainable for them as well.

Um, and that it's not something that, that, uh, they can necessarily do by, you know, writing that best hit song or Right. You know, uh, buying the fastest car or whatever. It's, it's, it's, it's sort of counterintuitive. You, you have to let go in order to attain it. Right. Interesting, interesting point. Right. But you'd think it'd be the other way around, but it's anything but that.

Yeah, absolutely ma'am. So, so in, in 2019, you, you made the spiritual exploration of a lifetime by traveling to Jerusalem in Nazareth. The holy land. The holy land. Yeah man. So what was, what was that trip like for you personally? And then what did you, what did you experience and is it, can you even put that into words?

It was really a neat opportunity. Um, and it was really, uh, it was, for me, it was a life changing, um, went with my wife and my managers and uh, and a new really, really, Close brother, um, who's, uh, we, you know, he, he and his father and mother were the reasons that we, uh, did it. They, they, they were the, the pastors that led us there.

Um, and he had no idea what it was gonna be like. My, my wife and I were, um, actually, we were, you know, we were having a, a hard time together. Um, and going on that trip was a, a big turnaround, um, for me a lot and, uh, and for, and for us as well. But, um, I kind of got, I kind of got reacquainted with, with God again, um, and, uh, let him in again.

Uh, because, you know, over the past 10 years, my, my journey has not been, like I said, it's not all biscuits and gravy. It's not all like wonderful. You go through periods of, of you feel distant from God, you know? Right. Um, and, um, . And so, uh, getting on that plane and getting, when I got off the plane, we arrived in Tel Aviv, uh, it was something really supernatural and beautiful happened.

And, um, and then from that moment on, uh, we just started to, to see God and, and the Bible and the history of, of, of human, the human story and, and, uh, in real life we saw it in a whole new way. We saw it in real life. You know, we got to see the actual history of it laid in front of our, our feet, um, and the things that we got to do, uh, places we got to, to play music and, and, and pray and dip our feet in the waters.

Um, uh, just it's life changing and it's a beautiful thing to go and, and to go through it with my bride was, was, uh, just the best blessing. And, um, so I'm, we are actually planning another trip in 2024, I think, uh, to go back, so. Okay. Yeah. Excellent. Yeah, I, I highly recommend it. . I'm gonna have to look into that.

Yeah. It's, it's worth every penny. I, I, I can only imagine the, you know, the, there, there's so many amazing stories and different sites and places that you, that you see and, you know, I think about, I think about the story of, of Jesus resting on the, on the boat with his disciples. Mm-hmm.  and there's this raging wind and storm and everything else.

And, and they're like, master, aren't you gonna do anything in front of the book of Matthew, I think. And, and he's like, he's like, and he tells the, he tells the winds and the, and the seas to, to calm, to, to, to be calm. And he's still, they're like, who is, who is this that he can, that he can tell the, tell the season the wind to, to be calm.

Yeah. So, and, and he's, he's like, have you not been listening? Like, no , that's, uh, I, I love that he's, he's.  almost annoyed with the disciples most of the time in the way that he speaks to them. It's like, guys, and, and I to your question earlier, to your comment earlier about being a father and thinking about my kids, and it's like sometimes I get annoyed with my kids and I'm just thinking I'm not Jesus or by any means, I'm just saying like, the, the relationship I think is, is similar.

It's like I, I've told you guys like, I'm Jesus, I'm God. I'm like, I'm the son of man. I'm like, son of God. I'm like, I you really think that the, the wins are, are you gonna be an issue? You think that this raging season's gonna be an issue? You guys really worried, like, why do well have you not been like, really, I do that with my kids?

I'm going really, really have we talked about this? Really? And they just look at me with these big, wide eyes and I'm just like, I love you. I'm sorry I shouldn't raise my voice.

That's awesome man. That's, that's so awesome. Um, This is, this has been an amazing conversation. So, man, let me ask you a couple more things and then we'll land on the plane, so to speak. , you, so you've got some, you've got some charitable causes that are, are near and dear to you. So can you talk about, um, about Majesty Outdoors?

And you, you mentioned your, you mentioned your story a little bit and, and maybe, and I'm, I'm assuming that that's, that's why and how you were able to get involved with them and be on their board of directors, but can you elaborate on, on that one, please? Yeah, man, the, uh, um, so I met, uh, I, I, I went to a, I went to a skeet shoot.

Um, they were doing a fundraiser, skeet shoot, and they asked me to come play, and, and I did. And I got to shoot and I got to meet the, the, um, uh, the founder, uh, bill Blot. And, and we hit it off. We just became fast friends and, and, uh, and through the course of, uh, another, um, another year of asking me to come back and, and.

Be a part of their fundraiser. Um, he asked me if I would maybe help 'em write a, a song for their show. Um, and, uh, he wanted something that was original, that was, uh, that was talked about the experiences. Uh, he asked me, you know, like the experiences that I had as a kid growing up, hunting and fishing, and what that looked like.

Um, and that he explained to me the whole ministry of, of taking kids that don't have a dad and, um, and being a father for them and, and providing, um, you know, parental, uh, mostly fatherly, uh, um, support. Um, and I could relate to that, you know, as, as I was telling you earlier, I didn't really have that growing up.

I didn't, I had a dad and I had a stepdad, but I didn't really have a father. Um, and I didn't have anybody acting like a father. I didn't have anybody leading me like a father and teaching me like a father and, and, and giving me comfort and assuring me like a father and, um, just, it was just missing. So I, I, I related to this, I, my, my heart went.

uh, all in to this cause and, and, um, and so, uh, we, we went, uh, me and, uh, Kyle Hutton and Drew Womack. We went off and, uh, we just sat around and talked about what it was like for us growing up and, and hunting and fishing and learning with our dads. We, we did get to do that with our dads. And, um, and so that, uh, that, that spurred the song, uh, let's take this outside.

And, uh, and we wrote it and, uh, we came out pretty quick. And, uh, those are usually the best, uh, indicators is when it starts to flow. Um, and then we recorded it for 'em, and now it's their, uh, it's the title song for their show. Um, Uh, not towel song for the show, but it's the, it's the theme song for their show.

Um, and then, uh, just last year they asked me to, to be on the board, and I, I said, yes, , I don't like being on boards. Um, and they're, they're finding out , they're finding out that I'm not good at being on a board. Um, but, uh, I think they love me anyway. Um, and I love them and I'm, um, whether I'm active on the board or not, I'm, I'm all in, I'm a full supporter of what they do.

And, um, we, uh, we just, we think that that organization is doing wonderful things for kids in the, in the state of Texas that, um, are having, you know, a lack of a father figure. . Excellent. Yeah. Surround 'em with the love of Jesus. And it's a whole family of people that come and just love on 'em. And it's really, it's a beautiful thing.

And there's, they have great sponsors. Uh, Cavenders is a, is a sponsor. They've got, uh, several other, um, like hunting and fishing sponsors. But Cavender's Clay Cavender, uh, is, is one of the main sponsors. And it's just a super generous and, uh, it's just a, it's a beautiful thing to see these kids get all this stuff and then go out, out on a, on an experience, uh, that they've never had before.

Hunting and fishing with a bunch of people that are just loving on them, right. And then have all these people come and put hands on 'em and pray. We all pray over 'em. And that's like a whole moving experience. And, uh, it's just, it, the, they're the heart of the people involved in Manchester Outdoors is the most gorgeous thing I've ever.

That's awesome. It's, it's an honor to be a part of it. It's really beautiful. So how can, how can the listeners support that Majesty outdoors.org? Get on, get in, get on there, and, uh, you can come to the, uh, to the fundraiser. It happens every year, I think, around March. Um, and, uh, can be a part of that. And, uh, I know that there's ways to donate if you can't be a part of the, the fundraisers is definitely, uh, ways to, to donate at the, um, at the website, but, uh, and get involved and, and, and help them, uh, establish, uh, more, more, uh, places, uh, where they can have a, a.

um, a stake in the ground in different cities, uh, so that they can help, uh, kids in different areas, um, and, and get involved and, and, you know, get on and, and, and if you can be a, a sponsor of a kid and you have a kid that is in need of, uh, of a, something like this where they're, they're, they need a father figure in their life and they think that the mesh outdoors can help their family, then, uh, reach out and, and, uh, let us know about them and, uh, contact them and, and let's see if we can get them on, on the list of one of the folks that we can help.

Okay. You heard them, man. So, so you know what to do now. So, um, and then you also have the, the rock, the Red Kettle with the Salvation Army of Austin every November. And at last, yeah, November, December, somewhere in there. So you, so at last count, you, you guys raised over 800,000 this year, is that correct? I think it was more than that, but I'm not, I, I didn't get the, the full, I haven't gotten a report yet.

I'm not good at being on the board. That was just the last number I saw. Oh, yeah. That, that sounds probably like, it's fairly accurate, but, um, it's just been, it's an incredible thing. We finally got it to the, to the Moody Theater, uh, which is just a beautiful place in Austin where you can, you can bring a lot of people in and have some amazing acts and, uh, raise a lot of money.

And, uh, this is for the, the homeless women and children, uh, uh, in Austin and, um, uh, Travis and Williamson County. The, uh, the kids and the, the, the moms are, are folks that are, uh, maybe they just got divorced, maybe, uh, they're struggling with the, with a job. And if it's a single mom and she's, uh, struggling with keeping the job together and, and, and taking care of the kid.

And sometimes they're living from check to check. Sometimes they're living in their car and, uh, it's just giving them an opportunity to get back on their feet. The Salvation Army, um, I found out years ago, uh, is not, uh, Not there to give money to panhandler on the side of the street. They're there to help people that actually wanna help themselves.

And so they call it giving a hand up, not a handout. And so they have programs, they have counselors, they have, um, sources and resources for people to come in, get up off the street, get cleaned up, get a good night's sleep, get a good meal, and then get with a counselor, figure out how to get their finances in order, and then figure out how to get a job and how to maintain that job and how to find a place to live and how to take care of their family.

And then the counselors stay with them for months into years and they continue to stay with them and coach them and, and train them and teach them and love them, uh, and, and help them get, uh, , you know, a life that, that they can be proud of and that they can have dignity in. And so it's a, it, salvation Army is, is just an incredible, um, incredible thing.

And they, uh, they've been around for, since I think it was 1902, who was founded. So Sure. It's, um, it's a beautiful, beautiful organization. Um, and I've just been so grateful to be a part of it. Um, and I just, I, I like to try to let people know more about what they do cuz there's a stigma I think that, uh, is, is a, is a misconception about, about who they are and what they do.

They're, they're just a really incredible, uh, organization and they, they do a lot for the community. That is really incredible. That's really incredible. And I'm, I'm very proud of you that you're, that you're making such a huge difference in, in all of these areas. I'm, I'm incredibly proud of you. I can't tell you that enough.

Thanks, brother. Honestly. So, so what I'm gonna do is I'm going to drop those websites and, and yours in the show notes for this podcast. Okay. Um, How else? So what's, so let me ask you real quick, real quick. What, what's currently, is there anything forthcoming for, for you in the band album? Songs? Yep. Yep.

We're going in this studio in about two weeks, gonna record some new music, and we also have a book that's coming out either this year or maybe early in 24. But Wow. Uh, the book is gonna be called, um, I think it's gonna be called Let's Get Naked . And it's essentially, it's a, a big d deeper dive than what I've told you today.

Um, it goes, it traces my, my history all the way back to when I was a kid. Uh, tons of ridiculous stories that, uh, you know, of some of them and Sure. Um, and then, uh, just from, from being a kid to being in college, to being on the road. To being married, to being a dad. It's just, it's everything. Up to now in my life, I'm 50 and so it's basically the Chronicle of my life to 50.

And then I'm hoping that in another 50 years I'll write another one. , let's get naked part two. . You write that one, you're a hundred. Uh, I have no idea. Hopefully I'll write it. Uh, yeah. Hopefully I will be able to write it when I'm a hundred. Yeah. There we go. Hope so. There we go. There we go. That'd be great.

Excellent. What, how, how else can I personally support you here? Dude, dude, you're doing it. Tell people go to corey mar.com and, and, uh, come see us play live. You know, that's what we do. We, we, uh, we make a living plain, plain shows, telling stories and, uh, and sharing our heart with folks. And so if you come out to to see us show, then uh, you're supporting us.

Excellent, excellent. And I can, I can personally guarantee because I've seen several of your shows over the years, you'll not only be entertained, but you'll have a great time. Corey is all about you and all about the fans and about you having a good time and enjoying the show. It's a family show, and you can, you can come and bring your kids, bring your kids.

Hopefully, hopefully not too many, not too many stories where we have to send the kids No, I say earmuffs whenever we talk about strippers and cocaine, but you know, it's part of the story ab hey, if it's the story, you know? Yeah. But that's what, that's the whole point. That's right. That's it, man. So, um, my brother, thank you very much for speaking with me today.

Yes, sir. I, I love and appreciate you very much. This was just an absolute blast and, and the pleasure was really all mine and what a great conversation and I can't thank you enough for being my guest today. Love you, brother. Thank you. Thank you. Love you too, man. All right, everyone. Thank you again for listening to the Heroes and Icons podcast with your host Greg Randolph.

And once more, thank you to our guest, Corey Morrow and to Main Street Crossing here in Tomball, Texas for hosting us. And a special thank you, Corey, to your PR staff, Tiffany Black and your manager, Ivan Lightfoot at uh, conveyor Management for helping set this up today. Uh, you, again, as Corey said, you can follow him on, follow him on social media and also on his website, corey mor.com.

And then please support the charities that we mentioned. There's, uh, majesty outdoors.org and, and then look and be on the lookout for the, uh, for the Rock, the Red Kettle Salvation Army, salvation Army. Thank you very much. And then, uh, every, every November, December. And then, uh, you can also follow me on Instagram at Heroes and Icons Podcast and on Twitter at Heroes Icons Pod.

And if you'll be so kind as to share, subscribe to and five Star review the show Heroes and Icons on all major podcast platforms, that would be very much appreciated too. So thank you again, everyone. Have a great night. God bless.