Corey can't recall a time in his life when his mother wasn't working her fingers to the bone in order to provide him with everything he needed. He can't say that he had everyting he wanted, but he had the most important. Having never known his father, his appreciation for women and their strength in the face of impossibility evolved into something his mother is still proud of today.

Lena tried, as hard as she could, to give Corey the chance to participate in any activity that he showed interest in. Some were too expensive, the passion fizzled out of some, and the others were just a good way to pass the time. He didn't particularly excell in football or baseball, he never did like playing chess, and running for any sort of student body representative was not at all on his radar. Corey quite enjoyed his guitar lessons and reading, which was a major relief to Lena, as she worried regularly that he would fall in with the wrong crowd.

He never did, though, and was never a bother other than a few drunken nights out on the town in high school.

Church choir is where Corey's talent was first noticed and from there is grew and developed, spotlighted in talent shows in lower Alabama until he was traveling all over the state to compete. Before he could blink, Corey was being asked to do gigs in bars; Lena put her foot down and for the first time, Corey and his mother began to butt heads. She felt his talent was better suited working for the Lord and he felt that he should persue a career in music.

Weeks passed and their relationship was strained with arguing. The terms were simple. Corey had one year to make something big happen or Lena was out. She wasn't going to let him waste his life chasing a dream, she wasn't going to blow through her savings on a one in a million shot in the dark. "I can do it, mom," he promised. It was intense to begin with. There was a lot of rejection from agents, bigger venues, and people in general. There was a lot of consoling from mother to son.

Twelve months to the day later, defeated and heartbroken, Corey woke up with a sinking in his gut that he would have to admit to his mother that she was right. Something no child wants to do, no matter what age they are. She wrapped her arms around him, let me soak in the weight of his failure enough to keep him humble, and then told him they would try one more time. Lena plunged into bankrupcy without Corey having any idea and she reflected on having sworn to never throw good sense out the window.

It seemed to happen overnight. After performing an original song, after opening for a mid-level country band in Nashville, a man approached Corey with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. He was holding a business card, he was well mannered, he wore a suit and Lena didn't get the first fishy vibe off of him. "I want to be Corey's agent, I really think he's the next big thing," he negotiated. And just like that, like the snapping of the fingers, Corey wasn't an opening act anymore.

No, Corey was the opening act. Soon he found out about his mother's financial problems, but soon her financial problems weren't an issue. Soon he was in a recording studio, releasing albums, going on tour with the memory of failure still hot, fresh in his mind. It was easy for him to be more lowkey in the beginning, but as the years wore on and his bones were made in the industry that changed as well. More opportunities presented themselves and Corey wisely chose the ones that best suited him.

Not a lot has changed in the last fifteen years since his career began growing. His mother is still right by his side, traces of their past life only exist in the form of cooking and her financial issues have long since been righted. Corey has a sprawling home in Nashville and a smaller more modest home in Los Angeles, making his taste for living environments very clear. Women have come and gone, a few friends from his childhood linger, but the one thing Corey can always count on is love, acceptance, and talent.

▸birth name:        cornelius lawrence castle.
▸birth date & age:        march 18, 1980; 35
▸hometown:        bay minette, alabama.
▸resides:        nashville, tn & los angeles, ca.
▸occupation:        musician, "the voice" judge.
▸relationship status:        private as fuck.

facts
▸ Stands at 6 foot, 4 inches. Television does his height no justice and often times people are surprised at his height once they meet him.

▸ Has three dogs that are like his children: Velvet, a solid black GSD, Cash, a traditional hound dog, and Beast, a red and white rat terrier.

▸ After a slip in security and a bad experience with a fan, Corey purchased Velvet in Germany and had her trained for personal protection. She goes everywhere he goes.

▸ Also has three horses: Elvis, 16.3 hands tall solid black quarter horse, Loretta, a blonde rescue horse, and Jennings, a 15.3 hands tall paint horse.

▸ Hasn't got a clue who his biological father is. His mother denies knowing, but Corey suspects she does know but doesn't want him to know.

▸ Lena is technically his assistant but gets a much heftier check than the average assistant in the industry.

▸ Decided to take a position as a judge on the Voice because he wanted to do something different and change things up.

▸ Completely a meat and potatoes kind of man, but that leads to a lot of working out to keep up with his fitness.

▸ Has been in love twice, but never married. He came close once, but the relationship dissolved over differences in needs regarding family.

▸ Not at all quick to leap into a relationship, but he is 100% faithful and committed once he's wrangled into it.

▸ Has no problem making a fool of himself for the amusement of others, as is often obvious. Laughing is some of his favorite medicine.

▸ Doesn't shy away from press, social media, or paparazzi. His personality is too big to bottle up.

▸ The urge to have children, ironically, has dwindled within the last year -- even if his engagement ended over his desire to have children.

▸ Doesn't have a set "type." He likes women who are feminine, confident, and have a certain level of neediness that makes him feel important.

▸ Despite answering questions honestly, certain topics Corey will get evasive about and it's hard to outsmart him when he's being evasive.

disco/filmography
▸ the ridiculous 6 wyatt earp 2015 filming

▸ the voice judge 2011 - present (sept 21)

▸ bringing back sunshine 2014

▸ based on a true story 2013

▸ cheer's, it's christmas 2012

▸ red river blue 2011

▸ the best of corey castle 2010

▸ hillbilly bone 2010

▸ all about tonight 2010

▸ startin fires 2008

▸ corey castle: collector's edition 2008

▸ pure bs 2007

▸ corey castle's bar & grill 2004

▸ the dreamer 2003

▸ corey castle 2001