Raised by his grandparents due to his parents’ divorce, Easton Corbin spent much of his early years working and playing on the family cattle farm. Although none of his family members played musical instruments, Corbin always knew that he wanted it to have a great influence on his life. “My grandparents liked to watch the Opry,” he remembers. “We’d start Saturday night off with ‘Hee Haw’ and then ‘Opry Backstage’ and then ‘Opry Live’.”

At the age of fifteen, Corbin began taking guitar lessons from a local instructor. Practicing for hours on end after school encouraged him to audition for a slot on stage in front of 40 acres full of people at the local Suwannee River Jam.

Opening for acts as they passed through his town, Corbin continued following his dream of playing music. After earning a business degree from the University of Florida, he married and moved to Nashville to pursue a career in the music business.

Corbin impressed a few important people including booking agent James Yelich and Joe Fisher with Universal Music Group, and earned a deal. Corbin met Carson Chamberlain, who formerly produced Mark Wills and Billy Currington, and began choosing songs for his debut, self-titled album.

The album’s first single, “A Little More Country Than That,” was written by Wynn Varble, Rory Lee Feek & Don Poythress. “Even though I didn’t write it, this song identifies who I am,” he said. “It shows character and that’s important where I’m from. You learn to say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no, sir,’ and to open the door for the ladies.”

Mark D. Sanders, who co-wrote several of the songs on this album, co-wrote a few with Chamberlain and Corbin. A pure, simple love song, “The Way Love Looks,” is fun and upbeat. He said “I love the line ‘when you beg and plead to go fishing with me and I have to bait your hook,’ because that’s what happens when I take my wife fishing.”

Corbin also co-wrote “That’ll Make You Wanna Drink” and “Leavin’ a Lonely Town,” on which he powerfully bears his soul.

“Roll With It,” a song about appreciating sunsets and pick up trucks, was written by three of Nashville’s finest writers, Tony Lane, David Lee and Johnny Park.

Continuing songs about humble southern pride, Corbin and Chamberlain included “A Lot To Learn About Livin’,” a great reminder that we all need to take a break and stray away from the pressures of daily life once in a while. Another string of hit writers, Liz Hengber, Sonny LeMaire and Clay Mills, created this one.

Corbin and Chamberlain chose incredible, strong songs for this album. They all seem to tell Corbin’s story, which is a great way to introduce him to the country music scene.

Overall, Corbin’s debut album tests the ears of those who argue that country has completely strayed away from its traditional sound. Often accidentally mistaken for George Strait, Corbin’s soulful voice has brought back the traditional country sound, with a hint of modern lyrics to which today’s younger crowd can relate and value.