“I like to think the overall vibe of this song touches on our current times and state of being. Yet, also reflecting on better days gone by, while awakening our human spirit inside to a “re-birth” of life and new beginnings… A real sense of “Quality” of life vs. Quantity, and the true honesty we should try to portray while staying in touch with ourselves and being grounded”. – Cory M. Coons on “Good Times Gone”
It features some stellar playing and musicianship from my good friend and lead guitarist Marc D. Muir once again… Along with the supremely talented Chris Golden,
(Son of William Lee Golden of Oak Ridge Boys fame), who sent us some beautiful mandolin stuff, and who I have kept in touch with since last year’s JMA’s (Josie Music Awards). The talented Scott Savage, (formerly of “Jars Of Clay”) played percussion and drums on the song. And also Ben Travis did Bass and Hammond Organ. Ben is also the owner of “Two Cats Music” studio, where the track was recorded and mixed in Nashville TN.
BIO:
For 30 years strong, Cory M. Coons has been an Independent Musician, Singer, Performer and now Award Winning and Nominated Songwriter. Growing up in Eastern Ontario (South of Ottawa), Canada, he has been passionate about music since his early teen years while cutting his teeth playing guitar, bass, and singing in his High School days. Soon after, he would continue on this journey to crafting and recording his own unique melodies and musical ideas, while travelling and performing in a variety of very popular Cover bands throughout the mid-to-late 90’s in both Ontario and the United States, with stints in well known local high-energy acts such as “Heads Or Tales” and “Shake The Tree”, as well as the band “U.S”, (in which he toured most of the South Eastern United States in 1998′). Then later formed his own Classic-Melodic Rock influenced namesake “Tycoons”, releasing two independent recordings and performing throughout Eastern Ontario, Northern NY State, and Quebec in the early 2000’s.
Since 2004, and currently as a Melodic, Roots-Rock & Americana Recording Artist/Songwriter, Cory has officially released 4 full length albums and 2 E.p’s, (with a new E.p on the way in 2020), featuring the new single “Leavin”. He recently released his album “The Long Road Home” in 2018, produced once again by Multi-Platinum Veteran Music Producer Ron Nevison, (Heart, Bad Company, Damn Yankees, Survivor, Styx, Night Ranger), along with fellow band mate & guitarist/engineer Marc D. Muir. The album was nominated in 2019 for “Male Album Of The Year” at one of the biggest Independent Award Shows in North America, the “Josie Music Awards”. And just announced in early 2020, Cory received two awards from this year’s “International Music and Entertainment Association” (IMEA Awards), “Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year” and “Adult Contemporary Song Of The Year” for Would You Stay. The latest record “The Long Road Home” has been re-released on MTS Records, along with the “Share A Little Time” (E.p) and a re-issue of the “Retrospective” compilation (spanning 1999′ – 2010′). Cory was also named Best Rock Songwriter for “Long Road (Dead Man’s Dream)” and Best Americana Artist for “Once Too Many, Twice Not Enough” at the 2018 “Radio Music Awards” on The Indie Music Channel, as well as a “World Songwriting Awards Finalist” in 2019 for the single “Would You Stay”. He also received International recognition in the “Male Single Of The Year” category for the song and was nominated for “Male Album Of The Year” at the 2019′ “International Singer-Songwriter Association” (ISSA) Awards, and previously at the first annual “Ottawa Sound Music Awards” for “Rock Album Of The Year”. Past Awards include the 2014′ “Studio Album Of The Year” for his Independent E.p “Share A Little Time” at the “Producer’s Choice Honors”, (formerly Los Angeles Music Awards), and nominations for “Male Singer/Songwriter” and “Record Of The Year”, along with “Rock Artist Of The Year” category for 2015 at the Los Angeles Music Awards (LAMA’s). Two CMC songs have also been selected to appear in the soundtrack of the new Dream Cinema Productions Sci-Fi film “Night Mistress” currently in post- production in Los Angeles.
Cory’s influences are a collection of various genres like Melodic Rock and Roots-Rock, blended with hints of Country-Rock. He is a respected Freelance Guitar Instructor in the local St. Lawrence Seaway Valley, ON. Cory has opened and performed alongside such treasured National Canadian like like April Wine, Kim Mitchell, Glass Tiger and David Wilcox.
New EP, “33.3” is available on July 6, 2020 on MTS Records.
What first got you into music?
First off, Thanks so much for this opportunity! I think Listening my mom’s old stereo when I was a kid, local radio stations and old 45’s. Shows like Hee-Haw and Tommy Hunter Show in Canada were big on our’s and my granparents TV back in the day.
Who inspired you to make music? .
Many Artists, bands and Songwriters over the years. Beach Boys and Country Music when I was a kid. Then Pop like Duran Duran, and Rock through my teens and into my twenties. All the 70’s and 80’s melodic rock stuff were big influences in my younger days.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Passionate, positive, true and honest songs that can resonate with people. Melodic, powerful and sometimes just simple.
What is your creative process like?
It changes all the time. There is no one way I do it. It’s not cookie-cutter in any way.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Brian Wilson would be amazing. Tom Petty would have been awesome… Tommy Shaw. Bryan Adams, Keith Urban. Chris Golden. I’ve been listening to Donnie Vie lately, (formerly of “Enuff Z’Nuff), Great Power-pop vocalist and songwriter! That would be cool too… So many…
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Again, there are so many. Anyone mentioned above, and more!
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Stay true to yourself, and surround yourself with the right people in everything you do.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Actually, not sure I really do? Lol…
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Can’t say where I would be without music in my life…? Though I think I’d be doing the same thing, spending time with my family as much as possible with a healthy balance of my passions.
Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite
venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
No upcoming live shows right now due to what’s taken place. I have performed across Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and much of the Southeast US, and Califiornia as well. Many fond and positive memories!
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It has made music much more accessible in both good and bad ways.
What is your favourite song to perform?
It changes from time to time… I enjoy playing my latest single “Leavin” quite a bit. Stuff from my last albums “The Long Road Home” and “Share A little Time” and hoping to be able to do my new upcoming single “Good Times Gone” soon as well!
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Not sure we can talk about that here…? lol! We’ve all done a silly thing or two in our past, but for the most part I think I am a pretty down to earth and tame guy. 🙂
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Probably… Don’t trust everyone you come into contact with or meet. 😉
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? ·
Fair pay for musicians and artists in all levels of the business. And leave the political crap and agendas at home.
What’s next for you?
I have the new single/video coming out on MTS Records as I mentioned… “Good Times Gone”, on June 29th. Which is part of a new 3 song Digital Ep “33.3” releasing on July 6th as well.
How important is the current climate crisis to you and how do you think
you could help?
Everything needs to get opened up again, and everyone needs to get back to work!
Small businesses that make both our neighbouring countries economies run, as well as independent musicians have suffered financially for far too long.
Thanks for the opportunity!
CMC…