4 minute read
CORY SHORTER
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Q. Thanks for interviewing with us tell everyone who you are and where you’re from?
A. My name is Cory Shorter! I’m an independent R&B/ Pop artist from
Inkster MI (home of Motown’s first gold record from the Marvelettes), but I now reside in Royal Oak, MI.
Q. What made you want to be a singer?
A. When I was little I was always running around singing and dancing!
I loved Michael Jackson and would always run around with basketball shorts on my head like I had his long hair. I would perform concerts for my stuffed animals and action figures. My uncle James Shorter was signed to L.A Beat records and had some great songs out in the 60’s! My dad used to tell me stories about him, and my aunt was also in a singing group! Music runs in the family! I also got heavily involved in musical theater, which became my career! Traveling the country doing shows like Kinky Boots, Pray the Gay away and Rent to name a few! Singing those songs every night made me want to sing things I wanted to sing about!
Q. Tell us about your new single
“Feelings or Faded” and the meaning behind it?
A. Feelings or Faded is about being in a toxic relationship but not knowing how to get out of it because you love this person, or you think you do. I write all of my own music and I wrote this song based off of some personal experience and some experiences from one of my friend’s relationships. I was in a relationship with someone who got into drugs and that’s the only time he was nice to me. I’ve never done any drugs but a friend of mine and his Girlfriend both experimented and their relationship got to the point where they would only get along if they were drunk or they were high. I think me being an actor definitely aids in my song writing because I Take my personal experiences from some characters I have played and mix them by the experience of putting myself in other people shoes from listening to their stories! And I just released my music video for feelings or faded so check that out on YouTube.
Q. What are some of your most favorite accomplishments?
A. Some of my favorite accomplishments were winning the title of Mr. Gay USA
Unlimited in 2010 and Mr. Black
National In 2014! Yes, I used to compete in male talent and beauty pageants! And I have to say I think being a proud openly gay black man is an accomplishment in itself. Anyone who can live their truth be free and happy should definitely feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s not easy coming out. Another accomplishment I am proud of is back in March I dropped my debut EP “Moods”. I always wanted to have a record out and the fact that it finally happened was a feeling I can’t explain!
Q. Who could you see yourself working with in the music industry?
A. I think Frank ocean is a musical god, So he is definitely the person I want to work with most.
Usher, Pharrell, David Guetta,
Kash Doll, Bronze Avery. If there are any unreleased tracks from
Aaliyah, I would love to sample one of those!
Q. With social distancing being the new normal; what’s the next big step for you?
A. The next big step for me with this social distancing Aside from continuing to work on my music is an acting project. I just found out I was cast in a pilot series for
Network pitching called “Nova”
Where I was cast as one of the clan leaders of a survival clan.
That’s all I can say for now!!!
Q. Who are some music artists that you look to for inspiration?
A. Like I mentioned before Frank
Ocean is my biggest inspiration.
The Why this man puts words on paper and creates magic
Is a skill that is hard to not be inspired by. I love Lady Gaga. Her boldness, her writing style and carefree way of life is so inspirational. I love the way Brandy vocally embellishes every song she touches. I’m definitely inspired to pick out more harmonies, different melodies and Sounds when it comes to back up vocals in the songs I write. I love to challenge myself as a singer songwriter and those three artists make me do that.
Q. Tell us one fun fact about yourself?
A. A fun fact, I was vacationing in Mexico and got the chance to swim alongside the world’s largest animal. The whale shark.
That thing is 33 feet long and 41,000 pounds! It’s a good thing they are filter feeders and don’t eat other animals or humans because if that was the case, I might not be able to talk to you right now lol!!!
Q. Are you working on any new projects right now?
A. Yes!!! Aside from the TV show I am in the process of recording my full-length album. I have about 15 songs recorded so far!
I don’t have a release date or title of the album yet, but when I do you will definitely know!
Q. Where can the readers follow you?
A. You can follow me on IG: @coryshorter , Subscribe to my YouTube channel Cory
Shorter and if you have Spotify you can also Follow my Artists profile on there and get the latest updates on my new releases and shows.
