Bixby native, rising country music star talks about family, music, and his future

BIXBY, Okla. — Growing up, Corey Kent played football, wrestled, and performed western swing music.

“I worked really hard at those things, and I was just average,” said Kent. “And then I worked really hard at music, and got better than average.”

The Bixby native was in a band called “Oklahoma Stomp,” and at only 11-years-old, performed at Cain’s Ballroom in downtown Tulsa.

Oklahoma Stomp opened for Asleep at the Wheel and the Texas Cowboys in front of more than 1,000 people.

“The only thing that we could have at the bar at Cain’s Ballroom was a Red Bull,” said Kent. “So a bunch of kids drinking Red Bulls before we go play, I’m sure the songs were a lot faster than they were supposed to be.”

Eventually, the band fell apart. Kent second-guessed his future with the music industry.

But in his free time, Kent would go to concerts featuring John Mayer and Garth Brooks.

Then, Willie Nelson arrived in Tulsa.

“To make a long story short, I ended up on stage with Willie Nelson that night,” said Kent. “Oh my gosh, that was the night that kind of set my whole career back into motion.”

Kent lived in Nashville for awhile before moving to Texas. He’s released two albums and has more than 224,000 followers on TikTok.

He’s also performed with Chase Rice, Cody Johnson, and Parker McCollum.

However, Kent hasn’t forgotten his roots.

His song “Wild As Her” mentions “A Tulsa Wind,” something we all know too well here in Green Country.

“It’s the place where the world slows down for me, in a good way, I get to remember about the things in life that matter the most,” said Kent.

Kent says that he’s only just getting started.

His goals include performing at Madison Square Garden and winning awards.

Kent will perform at Cain’s Ballroom this Friday, as the headlining performance for a sold-out concert.

©2022 Imagicomm Tulsa, Inc.