Corey Kent's Casual Soundcheck Video Turns 'Empty Words' into a Hit
Country singer Corey Kent posted a casual video of himself singing 'Empty Words' during a soundcheck, wearing sweatpants and a flannel shirt, and it unexpectedly became a fan favorite. The song quickly gained traction on radio and set the tone for his new album 'Heartland Rock and Roll,' released September 25. Kent had initially considered the track a deep cut, but the viral moment changed its trajectory.
Corey Kent’s February soundcheck clip, filmed in Denver while he wore sweatpants and a flannel shirt, was posted merely to satisfy a daily content quota. Within three days, fans at his next show sang “Empty Words” louder than any other track, prompting Denver radio to add it in March, followed by Dallas and Nashville. The song’s unexpected rise shifted its status from a planned deep cut to a lead single, shaping the direction of his 16-track album *Heartland Rock and Roll*, released September 25.
Kent’s influences span Red Dirt, Texas country, R&B, and classic rock—citing Ray Charles, Clapton, Boston, and CCR—and he deliberately abandoned genre constraints for this record. The album’s title reflects his Oklahoma-Texas roots, and he notes that not all country artists live in Nashville, with his sound rooted in the West. The viral moment proved that a casual, unpolished performance could resonate more than a strategic collaboration.
This story illustrates how social media can democratize music discovery, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. A raw, unpolished clip may shift an artist’s trajectory, as seen here, potentially encouraging other musicians to share informal content. For fans, it fosters a sense of intimacy and authenticity, while radio and streaming platforms may increasingly track viral moments to inform programming. The effect could reshape how labels prioritize singles, though it remains one case among many.