Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins

Hot off the heels of his first full-length release in six years, Cory Branan is headed back to Fayetteville.

The Nashville songwriter who once lived in an apartment across the street from the Castle at Wilson Park is set to return to town on Wednesday, July 18 for a show at George’s Majestic Lounge. Oklahoma’s Audra Mae will open.

We can’t say enough about Cory. That’s partially because he’s a longtime friend, but mostly because he’s a brilliant storyteller who continues to blow us away with each new song he unveils.

In 2000, the Memphis chapter of NARAS awarded Branan with the Phillips Award for “Newcomer of the Year” – two years before the release of his first full-length album. After his debut with 2002′s The Hell You Say, he immediately garnered comparisons to household name songwriters. Rolling Stone likened him to Ryan Adams and Conor Oberst. Billboard called him a “songwriting prodigy” who “gives John Prine a run for his money.” A year later, he played on “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Last Call with Carson Daly.”

Since then, he’s been slow to release albums, but each was worth the wait.

“Tall Green Grass” from 2006′s 12 Songs was an instant Branan classic and was soon covered by Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba. This year’s MUTT release includes another lyrical gem in “Survivor Blues” (see video below).

If you know, then you know. If you don’t, then Wednesday is your chance to find out.

Admission is $10. Show starts at 9 p.m.

Cory Branan – “Survivor Blues”