How the Farm and FFA Shaped Nashville Star Easton Corbin’s Career

Nashville singer Easton Corbin is no stranger to agriculture. Growing up in Florida, raising and showing cattle was engrained from the start, as was FFA.

“FFA is such a great organization — it shapes so many young people’s life for the better,” Corbin says. “You can always tell when you’re around those kids. FFA really teaches kids about hard work and responsibility.”

After high school, Corbin didn’t go straight to Nashville. Instead, he attended the University of Florida and majored in agriculture business. He says that decision was heavily weighted by his grandparents’ desire for him to put education first.

“I was in FFA from middle school to high school, and my grandparents had a big, big hand in raising me,” Corbin says. “My grandpa was a cattle farmer, and he really got me into showing cattle, which was kind of mine and his project. That whole experience, through my grandparents, taught me about hard work, honesty and follow through.”

With a passion for singing and performing, Corbin moved to Nashville after college in 2006. His hard work paid off in 2010 when he released his debut single “A Little More Country Than That.” The hit peaked at No. 1 on the country chart in April 2010, making Corbin the first solo male artist to send a debut single to the top of the charts since Dierks Bentley in 2003.

Corbin performed some of his hits in Colby, Kan., in August during a live #FarmON concert. While the outdoor concert met obstacles with rain and lightning, the event managed to #FarmOn and move indoors for an electric night of entertainment. A portion of those live songs will be featured during the #FarmON Benefit concert Monday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CST. The concern benefits the National FFA Foundation.

Corbin will be joined by fellow FFA alum Alex Miller, who credits his success as an American Idol contestant to the leadership skills he gained through FFA.

Corbin says he’s excited to help give back to an organization that continues to impact the lives of so many students, providing them with perspective and a passion to continue to follow their dreams.

“I really think you can take those lessons you learn on a farm and apply those to life,” Corbin says. “The farm is kind of a small part of a bigger world and all those things really apply, especially about hard work and follow through, and I can’t stress enough just being a good person. It has really helped me in what I do because sometimes it gets hard out on the road and it takes a lot of hard work, and all those things tie together.”

Join Easton Corbin along with other FFA alum as they bring the energy and entertainment on Monday, Sept. 20. The #FarmON Benefit concert kicks off at 7 p.m. CST. Throughout the event, Farm Journal will raise money for the National FFA Foundation and pay tribute to an organization that continues to support the future of agriculture.

You can register now to join the fun online or watch the concert on RFD-TV.