Multi-Platinum Sony Music Nashville recording artist Corey Kent releases his highly anticipated third major-label album, Heartland Rock and Roll, available everywhere today. The 16-track collection, which Entertainment Focus noted “doesn’t just feel like another release; it feels like a statement of identity,” captures the Oklahoma native’s signature blend of country, rock and soul while putting a name to the sound he has spent his career building. Listen to Heartland Rock and Roll Below.
Originally slated as a 15-track album, Heartland Rock and Roll grew at the last minute with the addition of the sultry “Don’t Stop Now,” written by Kent with Austin Goodloe, Lydia Vaughan and Joybeth Taylor. After Kent teased the song for fans, the response was immediate, convincing him the track needed to make the final album.
“My new song ‘Don’t Stop Now’ has gotta be the sexiest song I’ve ever written,” shares Kent. “It’s a new lane for me but I had so much fun writing and recording this one because it has so much soul and vibe to it. It almost feels like a Continuum-era John Mayer song, if John Mayer had a Southern accent. Early on I was influenced a lot by soul and R&B music and it’s been really fun to explore how I can incorporate that in my own sound.”
The song finds Kent exploring a more sensual side of his songwriting, painting an intimate scene, “We’re already halfway down the hall / Knocked a couple pictures off the wall,” before building into its soulful chorus:
Produced primarily by Austin Goodloe, with additional production from Jon Randall and Chris Farren, Heartland Rock and Roll spans 16 tracks that blend golden-hour nostalgia, rugged honesty, hard-earned perspective and the peace that comes with staying true to yourself. The album features previously released tracks including “Everyday Life,” “Rocky Mountain Low” featuring Koe Wetzel which Billboard called “an unyielding, rock-fueled anthem,” “Wannabe,” “Cigarette Burns,” “Rather Be Here” featuring Jason Aldean and current single “Empty Words,” which is Top 25 and climbing at country radio, logging almost 5 million streams per week.
“Heartland Rock and Roll is my third major label album, and it’s really the first time I’ve been able to finally name the sound I’ve been working towards my entire career,” said Kent. “The lyrics span from nostalgia, to honest regrets and gratitude for the simple things I value most in life. From top to bottom, this is me. Every artist wants to leave their mark in music... a way to say, ‘I was here and I did it my way.’ This feels like mine. This is heartland rock and roll.”
The album’s release follows a year of momentum for Kent, who has continued to build his profile on stages across the country while preparing for his biggest headline tour to date. Earlier this month, Kent announced his 2027 Heartland Rock and Roll Tour, a 20+ date cross-country trek kicking off Jan. 22 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth and making stops in Houston, Detroit, Columbus, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Boston and more before culminating April 30 with Kent’s headline debut at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium. Tyler Nance and Jacob Hackworth will join as support throughout the tour. Tickets are available at coreykentofficial.com.
“This year I’ve played all over the world and opened up for some of my favorite artists,” shared Kent. “But now it feels like it’s time for a headline tour right here in the heartland…the Heartland Rock and Roll Tour! I’ve reimagined everything on this tour making this show unlike anything we’ve ever done. I hand picked some of my favorite venues in the country and it’s almost time!”
Infusing Oklahoma roots with the untamed energy of a rebel rocker, Kent has built his career on doing things his own way. From dancehalls and dive bars in Bixby, Oklahoma, to earning two No. 1 singles at country radio, more than 1 billion career streams and multiple RIAA certifications, Kent’s rise has been steady, hard-earned and fueled by conviction.
“I’ve been fighting my differences for so long, but now it’s like, ‘Let’s just use those,’” Kent explains. “I’m not trying to be anybody else. Bigger fades, ‘better’ lasts.”
To date, Kent has earned Platinum certification for “Something’s Gonna Kill Me,” Gold certification for “This Heart” and Triple-Platinum certification for his No. 1 breakthrough hit “Wild As Her.” Rolling Stone has praised the Oklahoman native for giving “the region’s signature sound a shot of mainstream sensibility,” while CMT and the Opry NextStage program have recognized him as an artist to watch. He has toured alongside Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, Jon Pardi and Koe Wetzel.
COREY KENT’S 2027 HEARTLAND ROCK AND ROLL TOUR
*Jan. 22 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Main Stage – Fort Worth, TX
*Jan. 23 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
*Jan. 28 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
*Jan. 29 – The Bluestone – Columbus, OH
*Jan. 30 – Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
*Feb. 4 – Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
*Feb. 5 – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
*Feb. 6 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
*Feb. 18 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA
*Feb. 19 – The Foundry – Greenville, SC
*Feb. 20 – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
*Feb. 25 – The Signal – Chattanooga, TN
*Feb. 26 – Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte, NC
*Feb. 27 – The Senate – Columbia, SC
*Mar. 11 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA
*Mar. 12 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD
*Mar. 13 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY
^Mar. 18 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT
^Mar. 19 – Aura – Portland, ME
^Mar. 20 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
*Apr. 30 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
*Tyler Nance
^Jacob Hackworth
For the latest news and information about Corey Kent, visit coreykentofficial.com.
