Today we’d like to introduce you to Korby Bohannon.
Korby is an American recording artist and audio engineer. Born in Foley, Alabama and raised in Gulf Shores, Alabama, he moved to Macon, Georgia in 2013 to pursue a college education in marketing at Mercer University, but in late 2014, he left Mercer University to pursue a musical career. On March 28, 2015, he released an independent extended play, ‘‘[blank] Canvas EP”, which caught the attention many artists local to the Macon scene including Flocco Torres and Tyrus (Prince Neo) Turner. He then created his personal label/brand Korby Bohannon Studios. His debut extended play, ”[blank] Canvas EP”, containing the singles “Conceal”, “Don’t You”, and ” Georgia Line”, quickly became a favorite of Macon and, within its first week, had reached fans across the US and the UK.
His popularity abroad began in early 2015. In 2015 he made a guest appearance on Joey Stuckey’s single “Blind Man Driving” music video and Stuckey’s live performance/interview television show Studio 41 on NBC. He performed his single “Where I Wanna Be” and gave an in-depth discussion about the single. He spent much of 2015 touring Macon and gradually breaking out to Warner Robbins, Griffin, and Conyers, Georgia. In late 2014, he was an opening act at Douglass Theatre for M. Lewis’ ”Again With Love” album release and in early 2015 helped open for K. Michelle at the Macon City Auditorium.
Early Life:
He was born in Foley, Alabama near Pensacola, Florida but moved to Conyers, Georgia as a child. His father, Aaron Tate, was a drummer for the late 80’s/early 90’s hair-metal band Blonz, which toured with the likes of Bon Jovi, Poison, and Aerosmith, and is now a deputy-sheriff. His mother, Desirae Bohannon, is a sports insurance agent. His father also runs a personal contracting company GAT Co. Bohannon, the oldest of two, has a younger half-sister, Haley, who is a high school student.
His paternal grandparent, George Tate, introduced him to guitar at a very young age and he began writing songs during his time at Rockdale County High School in Conyers. His early childhood memories include being surrounded with live music from the areas of Gulf Shores, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida and going to an intimate Derek St. Holmes show, in which his father played the drums, at the Red Rabbit when he was sixteen. In addition to Derek St. Holmes, he has also cited Eric Clapton, Adam Lambert, John Mayer, 3 Doors Down, Ed Sheeran, and Eminem as his biggest musical influences.
Music Career:
2011–Present: Career Beginnings
He began music recording in 2011, and released his first independent EP, ”VeraVice”, which gained some popularity among Conyers and Covington, Georgia. He moved to Macon in 2013, and began playing in very small venues here and there as a hobby. In 2014, however, he began his pursuit of being a career artist and starting songwriting and performing more often and played at multiple Mercer University Battle of the Bands’. He began recording songs he had written under the artist name Blank Canvas, but he quickly changed his artist name and initiated a self-titled career. In June 2014, Bohannon got signed to a McDonough, Georgia based record label True Business, Inc. and promptly got to work on his first single “Where I Wanna Be”. After finishing the single, though, Bohannon took charge of his own recording/producing and split from the label; he immediately started self-recording/producing his first professional extended play, ”[blank] Canvas EP”, and released it independently with Macon-based show promoter Corner Concerts on March 28, 2015.
In October 2015, Bohannon took his career to Atlanta, Georgia in hopes of expanding his fan base, forming new artist-relations, and working towards a record deal. After performing for several months at many different bars and restaurants local to the Jonesboro/Stockbridge, GA area, Bohannon raised enough money to finish his sophomore album “Rough Draft EP”, which was officially release May 29, 2016. Following the release, Bohannon began a small promotional tour at the start of July, 2016 and held a concentration on the local music scene in Athens, GA; during his three-week stay, Bohannon performed and made a prominent footprint at venues such as Boar’s Head Lounge, Hedges, The Office, and Live Wire Athens. Towards the end of July, Bohannon moved his studio to Conyers, GA where he began exploring Atlanta and the greater-Atlanta area. While performing around Atlanta, Bohannon was introduced to and began working with Country/Pop artist Emily Vance, handling guitar and co-vocals for her; though, in February 2017, he and Vance parted ways in efforts to focus on their individual careers and Bohannon took the opportunity to tour the nation.
In February 2017, Bohannon kicked-off his American East-Coast tour for “Rough Draft EP”, performing on any stage he could find between Washington D.C. and Atlanta, GA. Shortly after, though, Bohannon sold-out of product and returned to Atlanta to record and release his next expansion, “Rough Draft EP (Deluxe Edition)”, released August 25, 2017.
Discography:
‘‘[blank] Canvas EP” (2015)
“Rough Draft EP” (2016)
“Rough Draft EP (Deluxe Edition)” (2017)
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road; throughout Bohannon’s career, he has faced struggles such as financial impurities, negative networks, and even a failed marriage, but nothing has stopped or slowed him down. Every halter has been a driving factor towards further success.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Korby Bohannon – what should we know?
Korby Bohannon may be the most pervasive singer/songwriter to hit the music scene: an old-soul, rife with wisdom, packaging candid snapshots of his experiences in ways that are easy for any audience to connect to. His eclectic profile borrows from every style that crosses his path, from the Southern Blues of Macon, GA to the raw Hip-Hop and Soul of Atlanta, giving him a broad appeal among various demographics.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Honesty and quality are the two most important factors to focus on for success.
Contact Info:
- Website: korbybohannon.com
- Email: korbybohannon@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/korbybohannon
- Facebook: facebook.com/korbybohannon
- Twitter: twitter.com/korbybohannon
- Other: youtube.com/korbybohannon
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