Jeff Corle

Jeff Corle is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and mental health advocate whose path to country music began after the closure of his fourth-generation dairy farm in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Corle grew up working on the family farm and, after graduating high school, pursued a career in songwriting in Nashville, Tennessee. Although he had songs recorded by various artists, Corle did not achieve a major breakthrough and chose to focus on outlaw country, following the traditions of Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash, rather than writing pop-country songs favored by record labels. He eventually returned home to work alongside his father on the farm.

When economic pressures forced the closure of the dairy operation and the sale of his Guernsey cows, Corle experienced a period of depression. During this time, he wrote the song "Empty Barn," which he recorded on his smartphone and posted to his farm's Facebook page. The song quickly gained traction, receiving hundreds of downloads within a day and eventually thousands, resonating with listeners across the country. Encouraged by the response, Corle returned to Nashville to record the song professionally, along with additional tracks for his album "Farm Animal." The album explores themes of farming life and rural mental health, featuring songs such as the ballad "Empty Barn" and the title track.

Corle's music, including "Empty Barn," has accumulated more than 70 million views and streams on social media platforms. For the music video of "Empty Barn," Corle invited farmers to submit photos of their lives in the barn, receiving hundreds of submissions from across the United States. As he continued to perform and speak at events nationwide, Corle became increasingly involved in raising awareness about mental health challenges in the agricultural community, particularly among dairy farmers.

Corle's Barnstorming Tour of America features free concerts where attendees are encouraged to make donations, with proceeds supporting local mental health nonprofits and covering tour expenses. Through his music, public speaking, and advocacy, Corle has become a recognized voice for farmer mental health, using his platform to highlight the importance of mental wellness in rural communities.