about us
This site illuminates the various endeavors of Dr. Pat Corn of Sevierville, TN.
Born in the mountains of western North Carolina in the Hendersonville/Flat Rock area, Pat Corn's first love has been music. He began his professional career in 1963 at the age of thirteen. 2023 celebrates his 60th anniversary of performance and music education pursuits.
He learned his first guitar chord from a gentleman whose infamy eluded the young boy. Carl Sandburg, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Lincoln biographer, poet, and folk music aficionado lived close by on his 250-acre goat farm "Connemara" in Flat Rock, NC. His appearance at a school assembly program nearby gave Pat his first close-up look at a real guitar. Upon the conclusion of Mr. Sandburg's presentation, Pat shot upon the stage and positioned himself right in front of Mr. Sanburg with eyes wide open staring at the guitar. Mr. Sandburg asked him, "Do you like the guitar?" Pat's reply was, "Oh yes!" Sandburg asked him, "Do you play the guitar?" and Pat replied, "No sir, but one day I will!" Mr. Sanburg said, with a broad smile, "Well, how about today?"
Mr. Sandburg pulled him around behind the neck of the guitar and placed Pat's small fingers on a "D" chord and raked the strings downward with his large thumb. The vibrations of the chord ran up Pat's arm and straight into his heart and fostered a life-long love for the guitar. That day began a long friendship between Pat and Mr. Sandburg. Many hours of summer days were spent sitting on the steps of the house and visiting with Mr. Sandburd.
Upon Mr. Sandburgs passing in 1967, Pat, at the age of seventeen, composed his first guitar solo in honor of Mr. Sandburg and expressed his love for the farm through the solo. Pat performed the work for Mrs. Sandburg on July 18, 1968, in the living room of the Sandburg home where she listened intently, with eyes closed, heard the piece provide a musical glimpse of the morning and afternoon, and evening at Connemara. After the final chord, Mrs. Sandburg sweetly replied, "Oh Patrick, Papa would have loved that." After receiving her permission, Pat entitled the piece, "Connemara." The National Park Service purchased the farm in 1968 and it has become a treasured US National Park. In 1973 "Connemara" was adopted as the official theme song for the farm by the National Park Service.
"Connemara" has become a featured piece in each of Pat's concerts over these many years. It has also been performed as a pipe organ arrangement and symphonic feature.
Pat Corn attended North Texas State University (now UNT) where he majored in arranging and composition with a Jazz emphasis. His principal instrument was string bass though his guitar work has always been the greater thrust. He has performed with many artists in the genres of Jazz, Soul, R&B, and Country music. His solo performances are his most cherished events.
In addition to his musical career, his passion has been four decades of the ministry of the Word and through music. The expression and study of worship is his passion. He has successfully authored two spiritual growth books; "Inspiration vs Motivation ... Abundant Life or Abundant Strife" and the forthcoming "Whom The Father Seeks.... Discovering True Worship."
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