Corey Smith / Tyler Reeve Concert

I was fortunate to photograph the Corey Smith concert at the Swamp Club on Sunday night. His opening band was Tyler Reeve from Atlanta Georgia and together they really kicked off the spring break here. The house was packed from wall to wall with spring breakers screaming the lyrics and blowing off steam while on vacation here in Destin.

While I had not heard of Tyler Reeve it seems the crowd had and I was completely blown away by his performance. Sometimes the opening band just kicks ass and this was the case. What a humble and gracious country singer he was. While Corey Smith rocked the house I had a chance to exchange some conversation with Tyler as he watched the show from the wings for a few minutes. I've been to a lot of shows and he was the first singer to take some time to talk. We talked about the show and how different each genre of music fans were different. I find the country shows have the most fun loving crowd and he agreed explaining how they connect with the lyrics while at rock shows it's all about the music and hard beats. During Corey's set Tyler decided to "moon" Corey from the wings which is something they apparently do to try and distract each other during their shows. Unfortunately I was not in position with my camera to capture his ass for you ladies!

Corey Smith completely brought down the house with his story telling songs. One thing I like is when an artist gives some kind of background to his songs because it brings some meaning to the song. He regaled about a time when he was caught in a police check point on his way home from a healthy night of drinking and was busted not two miles from his home. So he wrote a song titled F**k the PO PO. Sounds like it should be a rap song but he wrote a great country song to the title. Along the way Corey had fun enjoying a drink or five with the crowd, who was in love with him by now, laying down some of the best country I've heard in a while. And that's saying a lot from someone who's not a country fan.

It's shows like these that remind me how lucky I am to be a photographer shooting events like these. Now if only I could get Metallica to come to the Swamp Club....