Smokin’ Joker was Cory’s band for over ten years, before moving to his hand to country music.

In 1995 a young Australian rock band sold everything they had, purchased airline tickets and headed for the United States to make their name. They were called Smokin’ Joker and they were as hot as their name implied.

It didn’t take long for the band to be heard, the incredible vocals and the raw emotion of the band were accepted by fans immediately. Within just ninety days they opened shows for ‘HEART’, ‘Alvin Lee’ of ‘TEN YEARS AFTER’ and many other big acts in the city of Seattle. Smokin’ Joker returned home to Australia in 1996 to record its first EP ‘Dogbox To Darwin’. This recording, a collection of trademark Smokin’ Joker rock anthems, payed tribute to to the perils of the road, and the life and times of a traveling rock band. Extensive touring and self promotion followed, receiving airplay on various commercial radio stations ensured the band sold out of its CD stock. Along the way learning the tricks of the rock touring trade.

In 1998 Smokin’ Joker recorded a second EP ‘Audio Stimulus’ again embarking on a frantic touring schedule to launch the new CD. Performing at all major venues in Melbourne and accross Victoria and recieving airplay on commercial radio stations Triple M, Triple J, K-Rock and Darwins Hot 100 the band again completely sold out of its independent release.

Hard work finally paid off in 1999 when Smokin’ Joker were chosen to open the show for ‘Deep Purple’ at Melbourne Park - Rod Laver Arena-, (click for news release) performing in front of 16,000 ‘Deep Purple’ fans. This young band rose to the occasion, proving themselves to be a powerful rock band at the elite level. The band performed a blistering set of hard rock that was met by the cheers and screams of the intense capacity crowd.

Click here to go to the Smokin’ Joker MySpace page…