Plenty of musicians have stated their love for Athens, but singer-songwriter Corey Smith focuses on the Classic City as the subject of much of his own music. His embrace of Athens has made him one of the town’s most beloved musicians.
The Red & Black caught up with Smith while he was in Athens to discuss himself, his matured new material and his upcoming show.

Tell the University student body a little about yourself.

I grew up in Jefferson, Ga., and found myself in Athens a lot. I’m actually a pretty shy guy. I don’t enjoy the spotlight, and when I’m performing I get awkward in between songs. My music, though, is essentially country. It’s not processed through Nashville, so I can be more abrasive.

What’s your favorite memory in Athens?

My first football game as a student was pretty incredible. My dorky answer is that I really loved getting an education and spending time in the library reading and thinking.

What’s your favorite memory from performing on tour?

In Orange Beach, Ala., I was really getting into my song, eyes closed, when I felt another person near me. I opened my eyes and it was this drunk frat guy stumbling up to me. My drummer was offstage at the time and he ran up and clotheslined the guy. The show was taped that night, so we got to re-watch it about a hundred times.

Since you are shy, why do you love to play?
I actually love writing the most — but I also love getting to share it with others. I also love to travel. Writing is very therapeutic for me; I find it the only way to stay healthy.

What music have you listened to recently?
Oh, lots. Randy Newman, Kings of Leon, Gerald Scott, Jason Isabell … There’s something in their music that resonates with me and I’m trying to figure out what it is. I have a lot to learn from them.

Which of your songs is your favorite to perform?
Usually it’s whatever song is most current because it’s what is closest to my heart at the time. Playing a song for the first time is nervewracking, but I know if I play it and people love it hearing it, then it’s a really good song.

How do you feel about playing classic crowd favorites?
Yeah, songs like “Twenty-One” and “Drinkin’ Again” are probably more fun for the crowd than for me. A handful of my songs are about that life, but many more are about God, society, growing up and love. I hope people will go deeper with me.

So do you still wish you were 21?
[Laughing] No, not at all; not anymore. I did at the time, though!

Are you working on any new music?
I’m always writing, but I actually just finished an album called “Keeping Up with the Joneses,” [which is] coming out at the end of the year.