Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Brent Cobb working his way to the top, but keeping his feet on the ground
Brent Cobb is as Southern and real as Georgia red clay. It’s just who he is.
He’s also still humble enough to be thrilled, and maybe a little surprised, when fans sing the words to his songs, especially some of the more obscure ones.
“I’ve been doing this for 12 years. For a long time, nobody knew anything about me, which is fine. So now, when somebody shows up and they do know them, it means a lot,” he said.
Cobb will perform Wednesday night, March 27, at Songbirds South and it’s likely more than a few people in the audience will be singing along. Cobb has opened some shows for Chris Stapleton, which has no doubt exposed him to new fans.
It has also taught him how to handle himself.
“Traveling with a guy like Chris, who is so humble, is great. First of all, he is similar to me in that it took him a real long time [to find success].
“You learn that you can get all the way to the top and you have to keep your feet on the ground and that is what he does.”
Cobb said the experiences of the last 12 years are constant reminders to him on how to approach performing.
“It’s not much different opening for Chris. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s 20,000 in front of Chris’ crowd, or a few people there to see me. I’m just glad anybody shows up.”
Cobb said he also learned a lot about life and music from his dad, Patrick, who made extra money for the family playing gigs every weekend. His cousin, Dave Cobb, is a renowned producer, though the two didn’t meet until both were adults.
Their initial meeting, at an aunt’s funeral, was less than ideal, Cobb said in a previous interview.
“We’re standing around outside and I was like, ‘Man, we hear you’re producing in L.A. What you produced?’ just kind of like a jerk, really,” Brent said.
“He told me Shooter Jennings’ ‘Put the O Back in Country,’ and that floored me, man. Because me and my buddies working at a tree service, we’d get off work, somebody would get a 12-pack, we’d get stoned and listen to ‘Put the O Back in Country,’ man. We knew it was the cool country. We knew it was for real.”
They worked it out well enough that cousin Dave produced Cobb’s “Shine on Rainy Day” album. It’s a soulful, country album with a swampy vibe. Cobb said his goal is to be successful enough to spend most
If you go
› Where: Songbirds Guitar Museum, 35 Station St. (South) and 41 Station St. (North)
› For more information:
423-531-2473
AN EVENING WITH LITTLE TEXAS
› When: 7 p.m. today,
March 21 (N)
› Admission: $25
REBEL UNION
› When: 7 p.m. Friday,
March 22 (N)
› Admission: $10 in advance,
$12 day of show
MIGHTY SIDESHOW WITH SEVEN STONES
› When: 9 p.m. Friday,
March 22 (S)
› Admission: $10 in advance,
$12 day of show
Little Texas reunion band in concert
Country music fans remember Little Texas as part of the Young Country movement of the early 1990s. Little Texas was responsible for megahits such as “Some Guys Have All the Love,” “God Blessed Texas” and “What Might Have Been.” The band won ACM, CMA, and Billboard awards before splitting up in 1997 to work on individual projects. But in 2004, four of the original members rebuilt Little Texas and they had new music out in 2007. Little Texas stops in Songbirds Guitar Museum tonight, March 21, for a 7 p.m. show. Fans will hear all their favorites sung in Little Texas’ signature harmony plus music from the band’s “Young for a Long Time” album. Tickets are $25. For more information: 423-531-2473.
of his time with make music.
“Kinda like Willie Nelson does. An interviewer asked him when he would retire, and Willie
his
family, and
CALLISTA CLARK WITH AVA GRACE
› When: 7 p.m. Saturday,
March 23 (N)
› Admission: $10 in advance,
$12 day of show
OPPOSITE BOX WITH TRIBAL HOOSE
› When: 9 p.m. Saturday,
March 23 (S)
› Admission: $10 in advance,
$12 day of show
REV. HORTON HEAT & KINKY FRIEDMAN
› When: 7 p.m. Wednesday,
March 27 (N)
› Admission: $30
BRENT COBB WITH ADAM HOOD
› When: 9 p.m. Wednesday,
March 27 (S)
› Admission: $12 in advance,
$15 day of show
said, ‘All I do is play music and golf. What would I retire from?’”