Country singer Corey Smith plays Wednesday at Music Farm Columbia

With 10 studio albums under his belt, country singer-songwriter Corey Smith is as content as ever to simply be himself.

The Jefferson, Ga. native still lives in the same little town he grew up in and writes songs about his life, which he says is key to being relatable.

“I don’t have ability to sit there and figure out what a hit song is or what people want to hear. But I can write what I’m going through, what I feel, what I think is cool,” Smith said on the phone from Jefferson, while waiting to pick his kids up from school.

Smith performs at the Music Farm Columbia on Aug. 26.

The former social studies teacher spent years moonlighting as a musician before deciding to go pro at age 28. He gradually amassed a loyal fanbase and is now a staple act at festivals like CMA Fest, where he played earlier this summer.

His latest album, “While the Gettin’ Is Good,” was three years in the making and was released in June. Unlike his previous do-it-yourself albums, this time around Smith handed over the producing reins to Keith Stegall, who has worked with Zac Brown Band and Randy Travis.

Before Smith brings his new songs and old favorites to the Music Farm, Go Columbia talked to the country singer about his fans, his songwriting and why you never see him without dark sunglasses.

How would you describe the tone or the feel of “While the Gettin’ is Good” compared to your previous albums?

Smith: First, a few important similarities: It’s still my writing. I wrote every single word like all my other albums. I like knowing that when I’m listening to an artists, I’m hearing their thoughts, their feelings. That’s the common thread.

This is different because it’s the first album I did not produce. It was a leap of faith handing over responsibilities to Keith Stegall, but he was the right guy for the job. This is also the first album I’ve made with my touring band. We’ve got great chemistry from three years of playing together.

A lot of your fans are college-aged. Is that still the case?

Smith: That’s been the case for over 10 years. The reality is, now it’s really spread out. If we play at a college town like Columbia, yeah it will be mostly college kids, but it depends. It’s amazing how many young people continue to come out to the shows, along with people who are my age.

I attribute it to the way that I’ve approached the writing. I feel like the more honest I am, the more transparent I am, the more people can identity with the music at different points in their life.

You are always in sunglasses, even indoors. What kind of shades are you rocking?

Smith: Right now it’s Ray Bans, but I’m about to get a pair of Maui Jims. They’re prescription. I’m actually half blind. I have a prosthetic eye in my right eye, which I injured when I was a kid. Sometimes my eyes look weird when I get my picture taken and I get self-conscious. Sunglasses help me feel better about it.

You still live in the same town you grew up in. Has that been important to your music making?

Smith: This place is part of who I am. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t get special treatment here. I think a lot of artists lead a slightly different lifestyle than most people, with all the traveling and the tours. For me it’s been important to be able to come back home and remind myself that that’s not reality. I hope it’s kept me grounded.

This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 2:18 PM.