The internet age has made it easier for practically anyone, with the right break, to be successful in music, but it isn’t just those who inadvertently back into a lucrative career with a fluke video clip, like, say, Rebecca Black. While Georgia-born-and-based Country (with Rock and Blues tinges) artist Corey Smith’s massive success without the support of a label has certainly gone through a “viral”-like rise, the high-school-teacher-turned-major-touring-artist didn’t rely on some whacky YouTube video to find his fortune. Smith works the web hard but also uses an old-fashioned technique to earn fans, taking his fun, energized live show on the road frequently. After a half dozen albums on his own label, Smith finally has a “label product” to support this time out; last year, he released his latest full-length, The Broken Record, through Average Joe’s Entertainment. The higher profile has resulted in more radio airplay and CMT attention, a sign that Smith is in position to take his career even further (scary, considering he already reportedly makes millions a year on his own). Smith performs with guest Florida Georgia Line at Bogart’s Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19.12 through www.livenation.com.
