Yallwire News

 Corey Smith's much anticipated album, The Broken Record, hit shelves today!

The Georgia native is super excited for the release of the new album, which is a comprehensive record featuring both old and new songs that reflect how much he's changed over the years.

Regarding the tone of the album, Corey shares, "I used to write songs that were more reckless and youthful and rebellious, and since I've become a father and gotten a little older now I'm thinking more about about responsibilities, so they're a little more serious, a little more philosophical. So the record contains both types of songs - old and new - and I think they're woven together in a way that really tells a story and hopefully conveys a message about life."

A song originally penned over seven years ago, "Twenty One" has grown to be  a top-seller for the country music artist. The single has since been revamped from its original form and has found a new home on this new album.

"I'll never forget the first time I played 'Twenty-One' in front of an audience," says Smith. "It was in a small bar in my hometown of Jefferson, Georgia and the crowd was hootin' and hollerin' and carrying on as usual until I introduced this new song. By the time I got to the second verse, I could feel everyone hanging onto the words. I could hear them reacting to the lines as they were being sung - some met with nostalgic sighs, others with laughter, and others with cheers. When it was over, my friends roard with approval and I looked around the room at their expressions. Some were grinning from ear to ear, others were fighting back tears, and a few were already saying, 'Hey C-dawg! Play it again.' I knew I had done something right."

Corey started playing smaller gigs after writing "Twenty-One" in 2003, and since then he has rocked 750 performances,  sold 850,000 digital tracks and 150,000 albums.

When recalling his road to The Broken Record, Smith shares, "This record epitomizes where I am, both personally and professionally. For new fans, it will be a comprehensive introduction while long time fans will discover it is my most revealing self-portrait, underscoring the familiar alongside the unexpected."

To hear more about "Twenty-One" and his upcoming album, check out our interview with Corey Smith from CRS 2011.

Be sure to watch the video for the country singer's most requested song here!