Cory Brooks Strawbridge is a living testament to the idea that talent isn’t everything. Despite his humble beginnings and lack of natural musical talent, his success in music should be proof enough to anyone who believes they can’t make it because they don’t have any skills or gifts. In his own words, “I never had any natural talent.” Despite this lack of innate ability, he achieved success and notoriety by overcoming adversity with consistency and passion.
Strawbridge’s road to success was not an easy one. As a child, Strawbridge grew up in a low-income household with little parental support. Things weren’t any better at school, where teachers and other kids found his inability to stay still annoying. With his severe ADHD, Strawbridge admits he was a bit disruptive and not a perfect kid. Unable to understand him, his family and teachers predicted he’d live a miserable life in the future. From a young age, he grew up hearing he would be digging ditches for a living and never amount to anything.
Growing older didn’t make life any easier. Strawbridge’s adolescence was horrible but also a blessing in disguise. Being different forced Strawbridge to develop a thick skin and gave him an indescribable sense of resilience, a quality that would later lead to incredible success.
When Strawbridge discovered music, everything he’d believed in previously fell away. In music, he found solace, life, and possibility. Music stabilized his moods and gave him the motivation to see things through. This became a turning point in Strawbridge’s life. Despite lacking knowledge about the music industry, he was determined to make other people experience the same joy.
Armed with nothing but passion, Strawbridge began his journey in the industry. He spent countless hours studying music, songwriting, and finding his unique sound. Drawing inspiration from the hundreds of songs Strawbridge listened to in his youth, he created something uniquely his. With the childhood he’d had, Strawbridge had enough material to craft engaging lyrics too.
After putting a lot of work into perfecting his skills, Strawbridge made his professional music debut. His first song, “Spade,” was a hit, garnering a lot of attention from fans. “Spade” was originally released on Spotify, where Strawbridge now boasts thousands of monthly listeners. The artist keeps improving and has since released new music, which is available on Spotify.
As an artist, Strawbridge exemplifies nonconformity. After years of chasing his dream, he refuses to allow pressure to pull him down or become someone he’s not. Strawbridge uses his voice to share his life experiences and spread positivity and hope in all his songs. Strawbridge’s mission is to create lasting and impactful music, entertaining and inspiring his fans at the same time.
Part of the legacy Strawbridge hopes to leave behind is helping new artists get their music out there. Throughout his journey, he has encountered talented people who allowed others to dissuade them from following their hearts. “Many people produce great music, but they care what people think about it, and some are too shy to follow through,” he shares. As someone who’s risen above so much adversity, Strawbridge’s goal is to help such people find their own success. “You have one life,” he says. “You don’t know how long you will be here, so shoot for the moon and make great things happen!”
