Renaissance Man on Campus

By: E. O. Smith

Posted: 12/30/06

In today's society, multi-taskers are easy to find, but its hard to find someone that has it down to a science as much as JSU alumni Cory Tucker.

In his time at JSU, Tucker managed to play a big role on the baseball team while still making time to complete his exercise science and wellness degree. His 3.82 GPA upon graduation can attest to that. In what little free time he had, he really got to work towards his ultimate dream of being a musician.

"I really got into guitar because every male in my family plays it," said Tucker. He first began playing at the age of ten, by learning everything from his father.

Ironically, one thing his father did not teach him was how to read music.

"I learn most of my songs from listening to them over and over," said Tucker. "While most people are watching movies and television, I watch artists play."

Although most of the songs he currently plays are covers, he does have original music.

"There are times I drive with my radio off and sing to myself," said Tucker. Never knowing when an idea will hit, Tucker carries a tape recorder with him in his car. When he does come up with something, he records it. Being prepared is always a good idea, because the one idea that was forgotten might have been the one to seal the deal.

"My goal is to develop my own style," said Tucker.

Each time he takes the stage he gets a rush of adrenaline and excitement because he enjoys being on stage.

Tucker would rather play in front of strangers, because if he knows you, he wants to do well because he knows you are listening.

As he has grown older, his passion for music has grown as well. He has written seven of his own songs, with several more awaiting finishing touches.

"My inspiration comes from everything around me, from my family to the sunset at the beach," said Tucker. He already has one CD out but has currently been working on a new release. That record will be a double treat, with not only a collection of his own work but also some of the more popular cover songs he plays. It is set to be released in mid-January 2007.

"There was a guitar I wanted from the first time I saw it, which was about six or seven years ago," said Tucker. The guitar was like the ever elusive unicorn - every time he got close to it, it was always just out of his reach.

Last May, once again, he walked in a store and saw his guitar, but it was already marked sold.

Later that night, the night of his first ever performance, he finally caught his unicorn. The guitar he had seen earlier that day had actually been purchased by his father to surprise him for his gig that night.

Although that particular guitar is still his favorite, he now owns a total of 14 guitars, two electric and 12 acoustic.

As a student, Tucker spent a lot of time studying and working for that GPA he greatly deserved. During a career day field trip as a junior in high school, physical therapy really sparked his interest. For the remainder of his high school days and all through college he spent his summers working in an out-patient clinic. Tucker's goal is to someday be a director of a clinic.

Tucker will soon know if all his hard work and dedication has paid off. He is awaiting a decision to be made by the board of the physical therapy school. He feels pretty good about his chances since he has already made it through the first cut, which went from 300 applicants down to 75.

Being a JSU baseball player is comparable to having a full time job without weekends off. At a young age Tucker realized baseball was his best sport. Playing a big part on the baseball team and trying to study made it almost impossible for Tucker to play the guitar.

Somehow, some way, Tucker found a way to do it all. Whether it was studying on the bus or holding closed door concerts in hotels, he always made it work.

After his junior season Tucker realized he had taken enough time with baseball and it was time to grow up and pursue the things he was truly passionate about.

As a freshman in college he red-shirted, sitting out to turn around his sophomore year and start in the first round of a NCAA regional tournament.

During his hectic times the biggest stress reliever for Tucker was playing the guitar. When his brain needed a break from the complicated physics calculations, the anatomy vocabulary and the everyday commitment of baseball, the guitar was his escape.

"It was hard to make time for everything. School always came first, then baseball, and finally guitar," said Tucker. "Now, I am trying to get into physical therapy school but I am playing a lot more. It is really exciting."

If you would more information or to hear an example of Tucker's talent you can find him at www.myspace.com/corytucker10 or just head to Brother's Bar on December 16. He will be taking the stage at 8 p.m.