Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kent White says his latest EP includes the most personal song he’s ever written.

The song is called “Long Way” — also the name of the EP. Corey says he wrote the song with Connie Harrington and Steve Moakler about his great-grandfather from the perspective of his grandfather.

“He had an 11th-grade education but built his own lumber mill business into one of the largest in Oklahoma,” Corey says of his great-grandfather. “Oklahoma State University forestry programs used to send their college students to my great-grandfather to learn how to identify trees and get a hands-on experience in the forestry world.

“He was a man of great faith and passed on a legacy of faith, friendship, and authenticity to his children, which they have passed down to their children, and it was all eventually passed down to me.”

But “Long Way” isn’t the only highlight on a four-song EP that will likely leave fans wanting more.

Corey serves up a catchy up-tempo tune called “You Got It.” And he and fellow Season 8 auditioner Hannah Ellis sound fabulous together on a balled called “When I’m Lonely.”

Corey, 22, had a hand in writing all the songs and said the EP resulted from a year of writing dozens of tunes, then picking his favorites.

He also released a pre-Voice EP called “Making Noise” in 2013. He says he thinks his songwriting reached “a new, deeper level” on the new EP.

Since finishing in the Top 8 in Season 8, Corey has also used his music to support a good cause, Folds of Honor, an Oklahoma organization that provides scholarships to children and spouses of fallen or disabled soldiers.

performed at a July 4 event for the group last year and said has led to a series of showed that have helped raise more than $25,000 so far.

As for The Voice, Corey says he’s grateful for the experience, and for the opportunity to work with the likes of Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire and Meaghan Trainor.

“Most of all, it sped up my career and introduced me to the best fans I could ask for,” he said. “I have met so many people who support, believe in, and listen to my music.”

You can follow Corey through his Facebook page. On Twitter, he is @CoreyKentWhite.