MANSFIELD — Corey Hager has played before mammoth crowds in arenas and stadiums as the opening act before some of country music’s biggest stars.
He promises that same energy Friday at 5 p.m.when he plays a free concert on the lawn at Richland Carrousel Park, 75 N. Main St.
“I’ve got to share the stage with 24 No. 1 artists. Yeah, I keep count,” he said with a laugh, two dozen acts that include Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen.
“The energy and vibes at those shows are through the roof because the crowds are lit. I try to carry that same energy and vibe with me into every single smaller show,” Hager told Richland Source.
“I bring vibes from start to finish. It’s a high-energy show overall. Originals, mixed with lot of country cover favorites. I’m a proud supporter of veterans, first responders, and dream chasers.
“I strive to uplift and honor them through the positive messages I share during my performances,” said the performer, who will be joined Friday by opening act Brandon Scott.
Music is all Hager dreamed of doing while growing up in Ripley, W.Va. (population 3,074), where the single largest employers are the school district, the hospital and Walmart. The biggest nearby factory is Constellium Rolled Products, a manufacturing facility about 12 miles away in Ravenswood.
He is still chasing the dream he had as a boy in Jackson County. It comes naturally to Hager, who comes from a family of singer-songwriters.
His grandfather was a singer-songwriter and a prominent figure during the 1970s coal miner strikes in eastern Kentucky, famously featured singing to striking miners in the acclaimed documentary film Harlan County, USA.
Hager has credited his grandfather as a massive musical influence and the inspiration for his own career.
It’s 191 miles and a lot of hills between Ripley and Mansfield. But Hager is familiar with the Buckeye State.
“I live close to the Ohio line and play probably more shows in Ohio than West Virginia. I do music as my full time job so the grind is hard because nothing is ‘guaranteed.’
“There’s no clocking in or out or any off days. It takes more work behind the scenes than it does the talent. It’s about making the smartest moves and using all the potential you have access to.
“For me, I’m living the dream now, but will consider ‘I’ve made it’ when I’m playing arenas with songs charting on the radio. It usually takes many years invested to see big things happen, but things are really starting to happen for me, especially this year,” Hager said.
His music is a blend of country and rock, but he never strays far from his down home roots, including fan favorites like “Red, White & Bruised,” the barroom anthem “Honky Tonk Addiction” and his upbeat, high-energy country and hip-hop crossover track “Dirt On Me” with Louisiana singer Big Po.
“I play all styles of country, mixed together with well-written songs you’ll catch yourself singing along to. That is the foundation of it all. My songs range from anything to traditional, to grunge rock, country rap. There is a swag to my brand,” he said.
“Music has always been in my family. I’ve always loved the creative process of music, how it brings people together, and the steps of building something big — like a music career. My artist influences now are Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Tucker Wetmore, Brantley Gilbert, all of whom I’ve played shows with.”
Chasing a dream doesn’t allow a lot of free time for Hager.
“But when I do, it’s spending time with my family, riding my Indian Motorcycle, Jeepin’, working out and just experiencing all the different things that this life has to offer,” he said.
“I hope to see everyone out at the Richland Carrousel Park. Come out early to see my buddy Brandon Scott kicking things off. It’s gonna be a time!” he said.
Hager’s concert is part of a big three-day weekend at Richland Carrousel Park, celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026.
Joyce Wells, the park’s CEO, has planned a variety of events linked into the official start of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program kick-off weekend.
All of these will be in Mansfield, though the competition itself will be at Archer Auditorium inside Ashland High School. The competition, normally at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield, was moved this year due to renovations at the Park Avenue West location.
RCP will host the concert on June 12, the Mid-Ohio Kids Fest on the site on June 13 as part of the Mid-Ohio Bike Fest and then host the end of the Miss Ohio Parade on June 14, including an autograph session with all the contestants.
“As the iconic center of the Main Street Improvement Project and with the largest green space in downtown Mansfield, Richland Carrousel Park looks forward to ushering in a new generation of riders and a new era of safe, friendly, family events,” Wells said Friday.
“Our upcoming America 250 event coincides with our 35th anniversary and will kick off on
June 12 through June 14, ending with the Miss Ohio Parade and The Big Grill and
Biergarten.”
“The weekend will be packed with free events for the community and without the
community this nonprofit Carrousel would not exist. We look forward to continuing to
celebrate the history and culture of downtown for generations to come,” Wells said.
She said the stage for Hager will be set on the Main Street side of RCP. Those in attendance are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. She also said beer and sangria will be sold and the RCP’s “big grill” will be operating to provide food.
“We will moved all the picnic tables over the Walnut Street side. There’s like a confluence of sidewalk there. And then our yard’s kind of a natural amphitheater,” Wells said. “I don’t think we use our lawn enough.”
“We will get the beer and food going at 4 p.m. and Corey will start at 5 p.m.,” she said.
