Spotlight: Cory Marks

Your music blends country with rock elements seamlessly. What inspired you to merge these two genres? 

Whichever comes first, and it depends on how and what I’m feeling when I’m writing or coming up with a melody. I was very lucky to grow up around great music, be it country or rock, from Merle Haggard, Vince Gill, Shania, to Rush, Bryan Adams and Ozzy! 

What have been the biggest lessons you’ve learned from sharing the stage with artists like Five Finger Death Punch and Brantley Gilbert? 

That real success doesn’t happen overnight, especially if you want to have more than a 5-year career. It takes time and a great team who are all on the same mission to make the dream come true! 

‘Outlaws & Outsiders’ became a massive hit and even featured Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe. How did that collaboration come about, and what was it like working with such legendary musicians?  

We were all on the same label at one point, and when the label showed Mick, Kevin Churko (Five Finger Death Punch producer) showed Ivan Moody, and my manager at the time got it to Travis Tritt… I was lucky they all loved the song and message but, most of all, could relate. I’m even more lucky that I’m able to call them friends! 

Your lyrics often touch on themes of rebellion, freedom and resilience. How do your personal experiences influence the stories you tell through your music?  

The music industry was never easy for me, especially here in Canada, trying to chart on Canadian country radio, and it’s still a challenge. I mean, I even failed music in grade 10—the only thing I failed in high school. I wasn’t the ‘cool kid’ growing up and still feel that way sometimes. I’ve always done things differently and my own way, I guess, and I’ve always felt like an outsider, even when I tried to fit in. You get to a point where you say, ‘F**k it! Do what makes you happy and write stuff that makes a legit connection with people, their lives, and stories.’ That’s all that really matters, and it’s my job to tell my story too because we all have them, but someone’s got to speak out and speak up. We’re not alone. I’m a lot like you, and you’re a lot like me. 

Country music often celebrates tradition, but you bring a fresh, edgy sound to the genre. How do you see the evolution of country music, and where do you think your style fits within it? 

I mean, we’ve all got to celebrate something, in some way, whether that’s a hard week’s work, a goal achieved, or simply the fact that we’re here. I’m country, I’m rock, but most of all, I just try to do great and make great music that people can relate to, listen to, reflect on, and sing along to! 

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