Brent Cobb: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Lars Gotrich | January 17, 2017 — In some parts of the South, there's an accent where every conversation sounds like a song. Brent Cobb, a native of the small town of Ellaville, Ga., doesn't quite whistle through his teeth when he speaks, but he does push more air into his S's when he sings. When he sings "Solving Problems," a song about a Sunday-afternoon bull session, at the NPR Music offices, the words shimmer like a tall glass of sweet tea in the late-morning sun when he strings together a particularly consonant phrase: "Conversation covers everything and in between, from Grandpa's health to marrying good girls."

"Solving Problems" comes from Shine On Rainy Day, his major-label debut produced by distant cousin Dave Cobb; it's nearly a decade in the making. Brent Cobb spent those years on Nashville's Music Row, writing songs for the likes of Luke Bryan, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert. But where most songwriters write for the performer, Cobb plainly says, "If I write a song, they're always for me. If someone wants to record it, I think they should record it."

Cobb is a conversational lyricist who dispenses normal but precisely crafted phrases amid simple-yet-rich melodies. He skips from Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried" to family to making "plans to do what we ain't done yet." He takes a funny story about his uncle and bends the truth a bit for the quiet holler "Down In The Gulley." His songwriting lineage shines through in "Country Bound," written by his daddy; here, it features a bouncing solo from J Kott, whom Cobb jokingly calls "our bass player/lead guitarist."

Encouraged by the crowd to play one more song, Cobb closes with the sobering "Shine On Rainy Day." While he weaves plenty of wit into his lyrics, Cobb can devastate just as easily: "Ain't it funny how a little thunder make a man start to wonder, 'Should I swim or just go under?'" Just as we struggle to find the silver lining in Cobb's clouds, the song ends and he asks with a smile, "What do we do now?"

Shine On Rainy Day is available now:

SET LIST
"Solving Problems"
"Down In The Gulley"
"Country Bound"
"Shine On Rainy Day"

MUSICIANS
Brent Cobb (vocals, guitar); J Kott (vocals, bass); Steve Smith (drums).

CREDITS
Producers: Lars Gotrich, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Nicole Boliaux; Production Assistant: Anna Marketti; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR.

[BBvidoes]

Brent Cobb is one the best undiscovered country talents there is. His music is so beautiful

[davidroberts]

Country music needs more artists like this guy.

[chancedickerson]

this is one of my favorite artists, incredibly good song writer. He opens for Chris Stapleton alot, keep your eyes on this guy and his band they will be huge!

[lptomtom]

The Americanest music that ever Americaned

[BenBen]

Seen Brent in Glasgow recently, Colter Wall supporting, phenomenal gig.

[SeanHollingworth]

Dancing in my kitchen in Sheffield England, to this absolute legend. Inuf said 🤠

[revenant]

also can we take 1 sec to appreciate that tight of a bass player? man is on point.

[davedwyer]

Made me Cry. Finally ! Some new Music with Soul 😭

[bigdawg]

How can you tell me there's not some Room on today's radio for this gentleman right here

[DonovanPresents]

I don't listen to this genre often, but I'm glad I stuck around to hear the last song. I really love that song, "Shine on Rainy Day"

[brassteeth]

Top level guy. His gospel album is a good one for the drive in to work in the morning. Greetings from Texas

[graupow]

"We aint up to noth'n, we're just solving all the problems of the world" is a masterpiece lyric, in the context of this great song!

[andyu]

Down in the Gulley might be my new favorite song. The dude in the back on bass his facial expression the best haha

[annetvandermeulen]

Such nice vibes. Makes me feel good, instantly.

[davidr]

I do like this type of country music!! Nice 👍

[tatixt]

That last track is just magic, loved it.

[whydoineedahandle]

What a talent. His live performance sounds almost exactly the same as the studio - excellent. His new song Snakebite is a ripper.

[georgiaburns]

I've seen Brent play several time and just dig his style of music! Can't wait to see him come April, in Philly!

[NaijaBoiTellEm]

Not my style of music but I appreciate talent. Brent Cobb has it. Thanks +NPR Music.

[artmcbreen]

Not a huge country fan but there are exceptions and this is one of 'em; I'd see these guys anytime.