Jesse McCartney. Jessica Simpson. Caroline Marcil. Pendleton native and recording artist Corey Cox hopes not to join this infamous group when he sings the National Anthem tonight at Worthen Arena before the Ball State University men's basketball team takes on Miami University.
"This is my second or third time singing the National Anthem," Cox said. "I never get nervous before shows, but this is one of the easiest songs to mess up."
The former Anderson University student, who has opened for Diamond Rio and Emerson Drive, is also planning a preshow in the lobby of Worthen Arena as well as an acoustic halftime performance.
His Muncie debut kicks off a series of shows dating to December, including another performance at Worthen next week on Feb. 4. Cox will also be performing with recording artist David Nail this Friday at the 8 Seconds Saloon in Indianapolis. Even though he will be headlining a show on Saturday in Oaklandon, Ind., Cox still enjoys performing before other country artists.
"I like playing to a built-in country crowd," he said. "They're going to listen."
However, this journey would not have been possible without a gift he received when he was 15 – a guitar.
"I was never in choir or a band, but I decided I wanted a guitar," Cox said. "My parents thought it was just a phase, but I taught myself how to play."
With the motivation from his family and friends, he decided to form a band his senior year in high school. His band played wherever and whenever they could, but a breakthrough occurred when he was listening to the radio. 102.5 WMDH, the same station that features his single "Let Me Go" as their number one song on the "Hot 5 at 5," was taking auditions for a battle of the bands. After submitting a homemade demo, they were called back and eventually won a chance to open for Diamond Rio.
"After that, doors just kept on opening," Cox said. "I hope they don't stop anytime soon."
On Feb. 6, Cox will re-release his self-titled album, which includes 13 songs such as "Let Me Go," "Your Memory Finds Me" and "The One That Got Away."
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