Country singer Corey Smith strikes solo success

You've probably never heard his music on the radio or bought one of his albums at Walmart.

But that's not to say Corey Smith isn't popular.

His new album, Keeping Up with the Joneses, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart. College kids love him, snatching up loads of albums and merchandise at every show.

Not bad for a former teacher turned country singer and songwriter who doesn't have a major record label or even a promoter.

Smith started working full-time as a musician about four years ago and travels about 180 days a year, mostly to clubs and small venues in college towns. On Thursday, he comes to the Ritz in Ybor City for the first time.

Smith, 32, builds his success off his lyrics, which tell real-life stories about drinking, wearing hand-me-downs and running into trouble with the cops back home in rural Jefferson, Ga. He doesn't dance on stage or put on a flashy show. Just straight up singing from the heart — and swearing whenever the mood strikes.

While on tour at James Madison University in Virginia, Smith spoke with tbt* about finding success on his own and building his fan base one show at a time.

Without the backing of a big record label, what has been your most effective way of marketing?

My job is to write songs that resonate with people. People want to experience art that resonates with them. They want to be reminded that we all have similar struggles. Those types of songs market themselves because they're viral. Good art is infectious. People want to share with it others.

Are you tweeting?

Yeah, but I don't do it in a marketing sense. It's not like I'm tweeting my tour dates. It's almost like I use it as another creative outlet. There are a lot of bands out there that are tweeting, and it just seems a little cheesy. I don't know if people want their artists advertising to them.

Many artists avoid a lot of contact with their fans. You seem to embrace it. Why so?

I've just tried to do what's natural. I like people. I find them interesting. That's where I get a lot of my writing. I was that way as a teacher. I tried to get to know my students. I didn't build barriers. It hasn't been conscious. I'm just really appreciative.

Any aspirations to play in big venues, opening for major acts?

I want to reach as large as an audience as possible, but it's tricky because I also think it's crucial that I maintain my artistic integrity and continue to do what I'm doing. It's a balancing act that we're always struggling with.

So if Brad Paisley called you and said, "I want you to come on tour with me,'' you might say no?

I would say no if they said, "Yeah, you can come on tour, but you're not allowed to say s--- and damn and you can only play certain songs.'' I don't know if that would be doing either one of us favors.