Cole Swindell Celebrates Release Of New Album 'Spanish Moss'

Forbes

a day ago

Singer/songwriter Cole Swindell
Over the past eleven years, singer/songwriter Cole Swindell has made an indelible mark on country music. His expansive catalogue of music has racked up billions of streams and 13 No. 1 hits, so far. Familiar songs incudes 'Chillin' In,' 'You Should Have Been Here,' 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina,' and many more.
The Georgia-native, who got his start as a songwriter, has also co-written a number of songs for other artists including the Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan mega-hit 'This Is How We Roll.'
Swindell has just released his fifth studio album and can't wait for fans to hear it. Spanish Moss offers an ambitious collection of songs Swindell either wrote, co-wrote, or collected from other songwriters – all of which reflect where he currently finds himself in life.
Cover of Cole Swindell's album "Spanish Moss"
'It's been a crazy process of trying to make the best album we can,' he says. 'But I knew when it was right, the whole team did, and now it's a complete album and here it is. I'm very proud of the whole thing, all twenty one songs. It's the most songs I've ever put on an album.'
Tracks include 'Kill a Prayer,' 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Left to Get Right,' 'Take Me Down,' 'Heads Up Heaven,' and more.
Many are deeply personal like 'Forever to Me,' a song he wrote for his wife, Courtney, on their wedding day.
Another is 'Dale Jr,' inspired by Swindell's first time meeting with Dale Earnhardt Jr. At first glance, it might seem to be a song about two men at the top of their respective fields (country music and NASCAR), but it touches on a more emotional connection between the two. Both men lost their dads when they were far too young.
'People might see the title and think it's some kind of race car song, but it has nothing to do with that,' Swindell explains. 'It's me talking about the night I met a guy I'd always cheered for, whose dad was special to me and my dad. It's a true story about a common bond nobody wants to have. My dad was Keith Swindell, and his dad was Dale Earnhardt, but just Dad to him. So, Dale Jr and I didn't talk about entertainment or racing, we just talked about our dads.'
Swindell has shown a true gift for tapping into his own life to write songs that resonate with others.
He wrote his 2016 hit, 'You Should Be Here,' as a tribute to father who died unexpectedly when he was on tour.
And while his 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina' was a re-worked version of Jo Dee Messina's 90s hit 'Heads Carolina' (with the help and permission of the original songwriters), it was inspired by Swindell listening to the song with his mom as a young boy.
'I legit remember riding around with my mom when the original version of 'Heads Carolina' came out,' he recalls.
Swindell ended up sharing the stage with Messina as they performed 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina' at both the CMA and ACM Awards in 2022. It ended up winning 'ACM Song of the Year.'
'To be able to collaborate with her on those awards shows and for it to become one of the biggest songs of my career, has got to be one of the most full-circle moments of my life and career.'
Spanish Moss comes three years after Swindell's last album. He says he might have liked to have come back around with something sooner, but he wanted to take the time needed to find the right group of songs.
'I'm proud of every album but that last one (Stereotype) did a lot of big things. 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina" and 'Never Say Never' with Lainey Wilson. So, to follow it up, there was some pressure and I think that's what made this one what it is."
Swindell wrote or co-wrote just under half of those on the album and worked with Nashville's songwriting community for the rest. But all are close to his heart.
'A song has to be absolutely perfect for me,' he explains. 'It's got to make me feel something or wish I had written it. People ask, how do you know it's for you? And the answer is - if I wish I'd written it. It's a lot easier for me to tell my story, but, man, there's something special when somebody else tells it almost better than you could have told it yourself.'
While Swindell is excited about the album, it comes as he and his wife, Courtney, prepare for the arrival of their first child, a baby girl.
'I'm so excited to be a dad, I'm tearing up just thinking about it,' he says. 'I'm telling you, I'm so emotional about this kid. I know I'm going to look at things a lot differently. You know, you always talk about your songs and albums being your babies and now I've got a real one coming. It's an exciting time in my life for both of them to be coming at the same time.'
The baby is due in early August. Swindell will have some time off to spend with his family, then gear up to head out on his headline Happy Hour Sad Tour in September. Opening acts include Priscilla Block, Logan Crosby and Greylan James.
He says it's hard to believe so much has happened since he left Georgia and headed to Nashville all those years ago. At 42, he's grateful for his incredible success in music. And now, over the past few years, having met his wife and now getting ready to start a family, he considers himself blessed beyond measure.
'I'm so proud of everything I've accomplished in my career, obviously. But finally getting my personal life in line, I think that's what I'm most proud of. And now having somebody to share all of this with.'
Cole Swindell performs at The Big 98's Friendsgiving at The Grand Ole Opry on November 25, 2024 in ... More Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by)