An Exclusive Interview with Corey Dennison!
Long-awaited by loyal fans, The Corey Dennison Blues Band debuted in Chicago in early 2013, storming the stages of Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa’s, and Leroy’s Hot Stuff. In late 2013, Corey’s always entertaining stage presence prompted the release of “live in chicago” a thrilling document of a typical night in a Windy City blues club. The album leaves little doubt that the Blues has found its premier young lion, Corey Dennison.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Corey Dennison spent a majority of his childhood moving about Tennessee and Georgia. As a young boy, Corey heard the powerful, soulful sounds of the Blues on late night radio programs and recalls being captivated by the music. He received his first guitar at the age of 6 and began to imitate the music of artists such as Gatemouth Brown, Albert Collins and Albert King. Corey immediately felt a strong connection to Soul music. “I just loved the way Soul music made me feel from my head to my toes. I remember humming along to songs from Wilson Pickett, Curtis Mayfield & Sam Cooke.” This marked a lasting impression on his musical style and is clearly visible today in his soulful vocals and fiery guitar solos.
Corey found his musical calling while hanging out with his harp playing uncle. “My Uncle snuck me into clubs where I saw some of the greatest Blues cats of all-time, Albert King, Albert Collins and Junior Wells. This is where it became clear to me; I wanted to be a Blues Man.” He spent 12 years honing his skills as a sideman for Carl Weathersby, a mentor beyond the music: ” Pop has really showed me the real me and have helped me in a lot of ways. Showed me what to do what not to do. I wouldn’t know anything if it was not for Carl and my brothers-in-arms.” Playing with Weathersby blessed Corey with opportunities to share the stage with such musical greats as The Kinsey Report, Robert Blaine, Chico Banks, The Steepwater Band, Jimmy Johnson, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks And John Mayer, Gerry Hundt, Nick Moss, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson and the Buddah of Bass, Mr. Bill Dickens, and Buddy Guy. His debut studio album for Chicago’s venerable Delmark Records is due in early 2016.
