Corey Hill was born in a small town called Scotland Neck, North Carolina. He was raised by his mother (Gloria) and grandmother (Sadie) in a musical environment, heavily influenced by the spiritual elements of the Baptist church. His love for music and involvement in the church so early in life created an automatic gravitation to the church choir. Corey’s first experience as a soloist came at the age of 8 where he sang “O Holy Night” at a Christmas service. From that point on, he knew singing would be his lifelong passion. Growing up through the years, Corey maintained his connection to the church as the foundation of his beginnings in the world of music. At the same time, he couldn’t help but be drawn to the melodic spaces that R&B music occupied and his dream to one day create a path for himself in the industry alongside his favorite artist, Michael Jackson.

In middle school, Corey joined the chorus. His growth and development under the direction of music teacher, Mrs. Florence Armstrong, allowed him to hone his skills and establish his path as a solo act and standout performer. Throughout middle and high school, he cemented his place as a featured attraction in a variety of venues, to include choral performances across the state, local talent shows and school drama club plays “Purlie” and “West Side Story.”

With music at the forefront of his thoughts, Corey joined the Army upon graduation from high school in 1987. In 1989 while stationed at Camp Humphreys, Korea, he competed and won all local and regional talent shows enroute to his selection as a solo act for the 8 th US Army Soldier Show Tour. The tour included approximately 17 dates within a 30-day window where Corey and the team performed at every Camp throughout the entire South Korean Peninsula. In 1991 while deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm / Shield, Corey met and formed what would become a lifelong musical partnership with Raymond Theard. While deployed they formed their first group (4U). Upon their return home, they pursued and eventually acquired a record deal with Bryant Records / Ichiban Records out of Atlanta, GA. Their first and only single “Seasons Change” recorded in 1992 shortly after inking the deal, made significant noise in the Southeastern US. Unfortunately, military obligations took priority and the group had to part ways. But Corey and Ray were able to reunite in 1993 to form their next group (Diversity) in Hawaii.

Diversity performed in clubs, outdoor events, restaurants, and other venues mainly as a cover band around the island of Oahu. But their repertoire included singles written by Ray like “Serious.” The band won the US Army Battle of the Bands where musicians from all over the world competed. Again, military obligations would take priority over the band’s ability to book gigs and continue to perform. As the members all went their separate ways, Corey and Ray kept in touch throughout the years and always hoped to eventually pursue their dreams together again as performers. In 2004 during his second assignment to Camp Humphreys, Korea, Corey met an up-and-coming producer by the name of James Washington. James and Corey began to record and produce music together during a two-year stint from 2004 to 2006 while in Korea. They both transitioned from Camp Humphreys to Ft Bragg, NC in the fall of 2006 where the friendship and collaborative musical partnership continued. They continue to build upon their musical catalog and are working collaboratively to present day.

As the pandemic hit, Ray began to realize there was no better time than NOW to get back into pursuit of the dream. He set the wheels in motion by releasing five singles over a six-month period in 2021 through the digital independent network. Ray was relentless in his encouragement, which ultimately reignited my desire to make music again. As a result, on September 15th , I released my first single “Lay Your Head on My Shoulder” as a solo artist. Since then, Corey has continued to release music produced by Ray and James and will continue to navigate the path of “the dream” through the independent market.

Corey Hill is a singer, songwriter and producer, 35+ year US Army retired veteran, husband and father of four daughters. The obstacles have been steep, and barriers have come in many shapes and sizes, but the dream has remained constant and will never fade.