Corbin/Hanner
| Company type | Duo (formerly band) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Bob Corbin, Dave Hanner |
| Fate | Disbanded in 2014 |
| Headquarters | Ford City , United States |
| Products | Country music albums and singles |
Corbin/Hanner, originally known as the Corbin/Hanner Band, was a country music group hailing from Ford City, Pennsylvania. The duo Bob Corbin and Dave Hanner, both serving as vocalists, guitarists, and songwriters, established the Corbin/Hanner Band alongside Al Snyder on keyboards, Kip Paxton handling bass, and Dave Freeland on drums. This five-member ensemble released two albums under Alfa Records before disbanding in 1984. In 1989, Corbin and Hanner reunited as a duo, issuing two albums through Mercury Records and later distributing music via their independent label Liddl' Red Hen. Their career concluded with retirement in 2014; Bob Corbin passed away in 2023.
Throughout their tenure in both configurations, Corbin/Hanner achieved eleven entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Notable singles such as "Livin' the Good Life" and "Everyone Knows I'm Yours" each reached number 46. Their musical style blended their combined vocal talents and songwriting skills with Hanner's lead guitar work and country rock elements. Tracks like "Work Song" highlight their Pittsburgh-area heritage. Both contributed songs to Don Williams, while Corbin also wrote for Alabama and Mel Tillis.
Origins
Bob Corbin (April 9, 1951–September 18, 2023) and Dave Hanner (born February 22, 1949), singer-songwriters from Ford City, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, began working together after meeting during their school years. Their collaboration was inspired by the Beatles’ 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Their initial band was the Lost Lambs, themed around the British Invasion sound, briefly signed to Jubilee Records in the mid-1960s. After limited commercial success, both paused their musical pursuits to attend college—Hanner at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Corbin at Alderson Broaddus University.
Subsequently, they formed Gravel, a country rock band active across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Gravel turned down a late-1970s offer from Columbia Records, which sought a softer rock sound akin to Bread. An interview conducted by Corbin’s wife Edana with Mel Tillis led to a songwriting deal for both men with Tillis’s Sabal publishing company. Corbin’s composition "Blind in Love" was recorded and released as a single by Tillis. This exposure attracted producer Tommy West’s interest, resulting in a contract with Lifesong Records. Their single "America's Sweetheart," credited to Corbin & Hanner, reached number 85 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in early 1979.
Early 1980s: The Corbin/Hanner Band Era
Following the modest success of their Lifesong single, Corbin and Hanner continued writing songs under Mel Tillis’s contract throughout the early 1980s. Hanner penned "Beautiful You" for the Oak Ridge Boys in 1980 and wrote Don Williams’ number-one country hit "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" in 1981. These accomplishments led to a deal with Alfa Records in 1981 under the name Corbin/Hanner Band, including members Al Snyder (keyboards), Kip Paxton (bass), and Dave Freeland (drums). Initially signed as a duo, they re-recorded tracks with the full band after Snyder’s recommendation; this prompted Alfa to officially sign all five musicians.
Their debut Alfa album For the Sake of the Song, produced by Tommy West and released in 1981, featured singles like "Time Has Treated You Well" and "Livin' the Good Life," the latter reaching number 46 on Billboard’s country charts. The album highlighted Corbin and Hanner’s songwriting and harmonies. The band supported tours opening for acts such as Mel Tillis, Don Williams, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
The follow-up album Son of America appeared in 1982 with West again producing. It generated three charting singles: "Oklahoma Crude," "Everyone Knows I'm Yours," and "One Fine Morning." "Everyone Knows I'm Yours" matched their highest chart position at number 46. The album also contained their rendition of "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good." Promotion included touring alongside Merle Haggard and performing on Pop! Goes the Country. Despite critical praise for their musicianship, Alfa Records folded soon after release, leaving the band without label support. Legal complications prevented further recordings or new contracts, leading to their breakup in 1984.
After disbanding, both remained active as songwriters. Corbin wrote Alabama’s number-one hits "(There's A) Fire in the Night" and "Can't Keep a Good Man Down," while Don Williams scored a top-ten hit with Corbin’s "I'll Never Be in Love Again." Mel Tillis also found success with "In the Middle of the Night," featuring backing vocals from both men. To supplement income, they created jingles for radio and television commercials. In 1987, they appeared at a Mel Tillis songwriters’ showcase alongside prominent writers including John D. Loudermilk. Despite rumors of separation, Corbin stated that their friendship endured and they occasionally collaborated on jingle projects.
1990–2014: Reunion
Towards the end of the 1980s, producer and music executive Harold Shedd, who was serving as president of Mercury Records’ Nashville division, persuaded the duo to come back together and sign with Mercury Nashville in 1989 under the name Corbin/Hanner. That same year, the Oak Ridge Boys scored a hit with "An American Family," a song written by Corbin. In 1990, Corbin/Hanner released the album Black and White Photograph, which featured two singles that charted on Billboard’s country listings: "Work Song" and "Concrete Cowboy," both authored by Corbin. "Work Song," which had been previously recorded as demos and by other artists, became their first music video. The album contained five tracks written individually by Corbin and Hanner, with production support from Shedd. Session musicians on the record included Owen Hale, Matt Rollings, Brent Mason, and John Willis. The duo resumed touring in 1991, supported by a backing band that included former member Paxton; their shows in Pittsburgh were met with sold-out audiences.
Their 1992 release on Mercury, Just Another Hill, produced three singles, notably their highest-charting Mercury single "I Will Stand by You," which reached number 49 and was accompanied by a music video broadcast on TNN. This album differed from previous efforts by featuring several songs co-written by both members. Despite receiving favorable critiques that praised their vocal harmonies and drew comparisons to the Everly Brothers and Bruce Springsteen influences, the album did not achieve strong commercial success, leading Mercury to release them from their contract in 1993.
After parting ways with Mercury, Corbin/Hanner continued performing regionally and established their own label, Liddl' Red Hen. Under this label, they independently issued Every Stranger Has a Story in 1997, promoting it with an acoustic performance at a Borders bookstore in Pittsburgh. Around the same time, Silver Eagle Cross Country released a live album recorded in 1982 titled Corbin/Hanner Band. They went on to release By Request in 1999 along with a compilation album called Originals in 2000. Additionally, Corbin co-wrote Kenny Rogers’ 1999 title track She Rides Wild Horses. Throughout the early 2000s, the duo remained active through local gigs and benefit concerts.
Their final studio album, And the Road Goes On, came out in 2008 and was supported by a concert at Ford City Heritage Days featuring Vanessa Campagna, whose debut album was produced by Corbin. Corbin/Hanner continued performing regionally until officially disbanding in 2014 following their last shows at Jergel's Rhythm Grille in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. Bob Corbin passed away on September 18, 2023.
Musical styles
Corbin/Hanner are known for their distinctive country rock style, predominantly performing songs they wrote themselves. In 1982, Corbin remarked that their sound was not purely country but rather reflected the genre’s ongoing evolution influenced by artists like Kenny Rogers. Early in their career under the name Gravel, they recorded covers of artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young—musicians who also attracted country listeners. Record World characterized their work during the 1980s as blending melodic pop elements (attributed to Hanner) with progressive country-rock (associated with Corbin), supported by a three-piece rhythm section delivering contemporary country-pop enriched with thoughtful lyrics.
Hurst pointed to the band as an example of the trend in the 1980s where country groups played their own instruments following Alabama’s breakthrough success, marking a shift away from earlier country acts that primarily focused on vocals alone. Greg Allen likened their sound to that of the Doobie Brothers and Eagles due to its vocal harmony richness and country rock influence; meanwhile, Jerry Sharpe compared them to Tompall and the Glaser Brothers. Sharpe also observed that their duo work during the 1990s echoed Pittsburgh’s blue-collar roots through songs like "Work Song" and "Concrete Cowboy," which continued to receive airplay on Pittsburgh country radio stations long after their initial release.
Regarding their reunion period, Sharpe noted that both vocalists were in their forties when Black and White Photograph was released, resulting in more confident vocal deliveries—Hanner singing tenor and Corbin baritone. Their albums typically featured songs written individually by each member who also took lead vocals accordingly while providing harmonies; however, Just Another Hill included tracks co-written by both. Beyer identified clear Everly Brothers influences in their two-part harmonies and contrasted them with Brooks & Dunn by highlighting Corbin/Hanner’s deeper soulfulness. She further compared Hanner’s lead guitar playing to styles reminiscent of Duane Eddy and the Byrds.
Discography
During the 1980s, all releases were attributed to the Corbin/Hanner Band; beginning in 1990, credits were given simply to Corbin/Hanner.
Albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| For the Sake of the Song |
|
| Son of America |
|
| Black and White Photograph |
|
| Just Another Hill |
|
| Corbin/Hanner Band |
|
| Every Stranger Has a Story |
|
| By Request |
|
| Originals |
|
| And the Road Goes On |
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Rankings | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | CAN Country | |||
| 1979 | "America's Sweetheart" (credited as Corbin & Hanner) | 85 | — | Single release only |
| 1981 | "Time Has Treated You Well" | 64 | — | For the Sake of the Song |
| "Livin' the Good Life" | 46 | — | ||
| 1982 | "Oklahoma Crude" | 49 | — | Son of America |
| "Everyone Knows I'm Yours" | 46 | — | ||
| "One Fine Morning" | 75 | — | ||
| 1990 | "Work Song" | 55 | 81 | Black and White Photograph |
| 1991 | "Concrete Cowboy" | 59 | — | |
| "One More Night" | — | — | ||
| 1992 | "Just Another Hill" | 73 | — | Just Another Hill |
| "I Will Stand by You" | 49 | 71 | ||
| 1993 | "Any Road" | "71" | "—" | |
Music videos
}| Year | Video title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Work Song" | Marius Penczner |
| 1992 | "I Will Stand by You" | get not specified |