Corey Congilio Unleashes a Revitalized Take on Otis Rush’s “Me” – Out Today
NASHVILLE SONGWRITER & GUITARIST
COREY CONGILIO
RELEASES NEW SINGLE
“ME”
— AN ELECTRIFYING OTIS RUSH COVER —
TODAY
SIX-TRACK EP DUE OUT THIS SUMMER
Above: “Me” single artwork
NASHVILLE, TN (April 2, 2025) — Today, Nashville songwriter and guitarist Corey Congilio has released an electrifying new single, “Me,” as a representation of his commitment to betting on himself.
A sneak peek at the project that will serve as testament to the genre that shaped him, the track breathes new life into the 1969 classic blues track originally recorded by Otis Rush. This revamped rendition is shaped by Corey’s powerful vocals and guitar-slinging talent, making the song all his own while paying homage to one of the greats of the genre. “Me” will be a part of a six-track cover EP, due out this summer (exact release date TBA).
STREAM “ME” HERE.
WATCH THE “ME” OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO BELOW:
“Not only did I love the groove and the playing but the lyrics really grabbed me as it tells a story about life's struggles and how often the only friend we have is ourselves,” Corey reveals. “Sometimes a song feels like it was written from your perspective even when it predates you by a number of years! The song was actually written by Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites who were staples of the American Blues Rock scene in the 60's and 70's, so this song is loaded with blues history which I hope to honor with my version.”
On Wednesday, February 9, Corey released “She’s Like The Weather,” a playful original single that draws inspiration from a life coach’s analogy that relationships are like the weather: when it rains, grab an umbrella; when it snows, pick up a shovel. It’s the expectation that all relationships will have their ups and downs, but it’s the solutions that decide how strong they become. Corey’s powerful vocals smoothly lay down lyrics of a complicated person to love, with a funky bass line driving the groove into a classic blues world. He recently sat down with the Tennessee Star to discuss the track, offering a sneak peek into Corey’s evolving sound that has hints of a lifetime of influences.
The humorous music video casts Corey as a hapless weatherman, flailing through June snowstorms and tornadoes tearing across his green screen. It’s a wild, chaotic ride — just like love itself.
STREAM “SHE’S LIKE THE WEATHER” HERE.
WATCH THE “SHE’S LIKE THE WEATHER” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:
For 25 years, this guitar-slinging hired gun has been the quiet force behind the scenes — touring guitarist, session musician, educator, and presenter. Now Corey’s stepping into the spotlight, wielding his six-string stories like a weapon aimed at your soul. To celebrate the single, Corey is hosting a giveaway on socials, and the winner receives a personal guitar lesson from Corey himself.
“My journey started with saxophone in my elementary and high school bands until the age of 13 when I bought my first guitar,” he shares. Encouraged by his father and uncles, all of whom played guitar or bass, he recalls, “As much as I thought I’d be different by playing sax, I couldn’t get the guitar off my mind. I saved pennies, shopped weekly at my local guitar shop, and got my first guitar. Once I brought it home, music and guitar became my sole focus.”
Early on, Congilio found inspiration in legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robben Ford, finding solace in their writing and guitar mastery. However, his influences span far beyond the blues, encompassing iconic artists like Prince, Daniel Lanois, Butch Walker, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — figures he admires for their “undeniable identity.” Beyond music, literature and television have also left their mark. “I have a tattoo inspired by Seth Godin’s The Icarus Deception, which taught me that not only is it okay to be an artist, people need your art, too,” Corey explains.
His extensive resume includes performances alongside renowned artists like Joss Stone, David Lee Murphy, Lucie Silvas, Radney Foster, Cassadee Pope, Derek St. Holmes, Danielle Bradbery, Laura Bell Bundy, and Barbara Blue. After cutting his teeth on stages all over the world, Corey still felt something was missing, and found himself searching for ways to express himself musically beyond playing songs written by others.
Eventually, Corey leaned into songwriting, pulling out his 1967 Gibson ES-335 to craft songs that teeter on the line of traditional blues and fresh rock and roll. “It took years of building confidence to call myself a writer,” he admits. “Having a completed song expressing one’s thoughts is a feeling like no other. I realized I had something to say that I couldn’t express by just being a sideman. Watching other artists navigate the music business made me think I had as much of a shot as anyone to create music that an audience would want to hear.”
Above: Corey Congilio; Credit: Jon Karr
Finding a home base in Nashville, TN, Corey credits Music City’s vibrant community for shaping his music and career. “Virtually every aspect of living in Nashville has inspired me — whether it’s playing, writing, singing, educating or performing,” he shares. He’s taken every lesson from behind the curtain with stride, applying what he’s learned to create a music career that will last.
Corey’s impact extends far beyond the stage. Since 2010, he has authored over 30 instructional guitar courses, helping players of all levels refine their craft. His platform, WorkingClassGuitar.com — along with his popular YouTube channel that boasts 111k subscribers — offers weekly lessons, performances, and gear reviews.
Through his music, teaching, and collaborations, Corey embraces the philosophy of betting on oneself. “I’ve always felt like the underdog,” he says, “and I’m continuing to put those feelings into songs. I want listeners to take the risk and bet on themselves — whether they’re a musician, videographer, small business owner, or anything else. You have nothing to lose, and you might just succeed.”
CONNECT WITH COREY ONLINE:
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