May 7, 2025 • 29 mins
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with country music sensation Cole Swindell to discuss his latest number one song that's taking the charts by storm. Cole opens up about the inspiration behind his hit single and the journey to its success.But the excitement doesn't stop there! Cole shares the joyous news of his pregnant wife and how they're both eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. Tune in to hear Cole's thoughts on becoming a dad, the emotions he's experiencing, and how he's preparing for this new chapter in his life.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's been a minute since we caught up with this dude,
and I was trying to think before you got here.
I think the last time we caught up was in
Key West.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Wow, it's been way too long.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
That's a year, right, too cool? And I respect that.
It's fine at all.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I've been meaning to get by here. So when Dell
is here, Brother, Howard things man, good, good, Just glad
to be here, Bud, how are y'all doing?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
I can't complain, can't complain. Life is a lot different
from the last time we caught up. The music keeps coming.
You're enjoying married life. Yeah, that was that balance supernatural
for you, Like once you added that element to your
personal life.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
You know, I don't I think it took him in.
Maybe I'm still finding that balance, you know, I know
that for ten years. I mean, my career is just
all focused on and you know, I'm glad I did.
But you know, at the when I met Courtney and
got engaged, I think I kind of put a lot
of things on the back burner and just kind of
focused on that and got married and all that good stuff.
(00:58):
But at some point I woke up and said, if
I don't get back to work and write these songs
and find these songs, and I'm never going to finish
this album, but I'm glad I had that kind of
breakaway from everything to just enjoy that. That was a big,
big moment for both of us. And I don't know,
I just kind of went back and finally got a
chance to get this album done and now here we are. Man,
(01:19):
I'm just excited to have this song and this album.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And let me say this because you can't anybody that
does interviews with Cole Swindell don't ask about babies, don't
ask about starting a big old family.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Let the man enjoy his life and we're moving on
from there.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
You're good, Hey, man, I'm excited about that.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
But some of that stuff, like it's like, hey, I'm
working on music too.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
I know. Yeah, no, I get it. But it is
finding a balance. And you said the wedding and then
now going to be a dad, that's the coolest thing
of all. But to have an album and that a
kid on the way is just it's gonna be a
big year.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Man. So yeah, when it comes to pre planning for
dad life, yeah, it's like you can you can't, you know,
it's it's like a it's like a storm.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Yeah, it might rain, it might take the roof off
the house.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, that's what I know. And that's I think. It's
just hearing everybody else, all my buddies that have kids,
and uh. One thing I've noticed though, is just it's
one of the it seems like to be one of
those things in life that it's hard to explain it.
It's almost fun for me to watch my buddies try
to explain how cool it is being a dad, or
whether you have a boy or a girl, you know,
whatever it is, and I can just tell. I think
(02:28):
it's one of those things you have to experience yourself.
And you know, I know, Uh, we're having a little girl.
She's already already got me rap man, she's not even here.
So it's, uh, I'm.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
In trouble listen, but it's a good trouble.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, no, I know. And that's what I'm saying. It's like,
I don't I don't mind that, you know. I think
you know, I'm kind of softy anyway when it comes
to stuff like that. So having a little girl, I
think it's I don't know, it's only gonna make.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
That worse so a million because I'm a girl dad.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
In a good way. Like you said, I think it
just changes the way you see the world. And yeah, uh,
you know, do anything to make sure they're good. And
that's kind of all the things. You know. I've I've
moved here, want to be a good songwriter and an artist,
and and then now it's just like I still want
to be that, but but I want to focus on
being a good dad. I think this is more important
than any of it, and just very blessed and thankful
(03:19):
to have a chance to.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
So So my daughter just turned well she'll be fourteen
this summer. They go fast, it goes extremely fast, and
fourteen but it's all. But now she's like talking about
middle school formal. She'll be in high school next year.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Her first like big time crush is Maddox Bats and
oh yeah. And I'm like and so I'm like, oh,
we'll go to.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Some shows and that's cool. He's killing us.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
But I'm also like, if you don't calm down, we
ain't coming to this stuff no more.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Exactly. Now you've got an artist like that age to worry.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
But it's funny because you like you get like half like, hey, like,
calm down.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, you're still my kid.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You're still But then she'd be like, Hi, nice to
meet you. You'll be like, hey, I go no, you
talk to her. She wants to talk to you.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
You turn around, exactly. Yeah, Like you like ride the
line of like don't talk to boys. Hey, she asked
you a question.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, I think you need to talk to her. So
I know, man, I can only imagine, and just just
hearing those stories, it's it's gonna be a wild, wild ride,
I'm sure, but I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
But you're right too, like everything is different, Like nobody's
like having a baby story or raising a kid's story
is the same as the person before m or.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
The person exactly yeah, And I know that. And her sister,
she has a little boy, like a year and a
half old, So I think Courtney's loving being an ann.
I'm glad she had that year and a half to
kind of be hands on right there with him till
from he was Tommy was born to now. And I
think us having a you know, ours on the way,
I think her having that practice with him is gonna
(04:47):
be a big help in her family as well. And
my family. I know they're all gonna be willing to help,
so we're gonna need it from what I hear, so
I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Yeah, no doubt. Man, it definitely changes bus life.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
You might need that's we kind of talked about that,
or we you know, we'll obviously make it arrange it
to where it's safe for her, but also you know,
I don't know how much they'll be out there or
how long it'll take to feel comfortable bringing out. But
I can't wait. Man, I've already thought about that, Like
the first show share it comes to I wonder which
one it'll be, what stage I'll be on, but it's
(05:20):
going to be special no matter where I am. And
that's just a cool part of life. I get to,
you know, experience from now.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
And I got to tell you, it's pretty cool to
watch you share stuff like that because a lot a
lot of I mean, it's really like fifty to fifty
some artists are like, hey, like that's what I'm doing,
and like that's over here.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I mean it's my first time. I mean, yeah, of course,
I just I can't hide. It's like music. You know,
there's a few things in life that make you feel
like music and like music does for me, and obviously
like getting engaged, married, and now this, I mean, it's
a common theme. These are all real life, big moments,
you know that you know, honestly didn't know whatever happened.
(05:57):
And the fact I'm right here in the middle of
that with a brand new album. And we always, as
funny as artists, we always call songs our babies, you know,
and now got a real one. So this is it's
gonna be a it's gonna be a fun year.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Uh has has the the baby process or the thoughts
of fatherhood started trickling trickling into music creation yet for you?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Absolutely? You know, I always wondered what that would be like,
you know, because you hear these songs sometimes and I've
heard so many phenomenal songs about, you know, mentioning kids.
But uh, I could I knew it was a great song,
but I didn't feel it like I'm gonna feel it now,
you know. I was just I was thinking. I literally
brought up to Courtney the other day, I was like, remember,
you're gonna miss this. I knew for a fact that's
(06:41):
a phenomenal song. But I've know, I mean, I just
you know, just a few years down the road and
that song's gonna hit differently. And that's what's what I
love about music, man, it's you know, it's all you know.
You write the best songs you can, you record them,
and some people were going through it, they're gonna relate
to it. Some people are gonna just be like, yeah, hey,
two weeks later, your life changes and you think it's
you know you the song means everything to you, and
(07:04):
that's just, uh, it's crazy how life changes and and uh,
you know, songs that just depends on who can relate
to it. That's uh, that's pretty amazing.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
I'm excited for you too.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
As your daughter gets older or as your children get
older in general, you have some especially I mean throughout
but especially.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Early in your career, some really cool.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Stories behind some of your songs, and they'll they'll ask
the stories behind songs like you should be here and
stuff like that, and you get to relive those moments
through your kid's eyes.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Now that's gonna be awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, I mean, that's I wonder what they're gonna think
of of. You know, I'm probably not going to be
very cool and there for a while, so uh, but
you know, just to be able to share that with
them and some of the pictures and you know Courtney,
she's gotten into scrapbooking and doing all that, and we
were looking at stuff just even just since we've been together,
(07:54):
my career, from the ACMs, all that stuff. It's just
a lot of big memories and to get the them someday,
Like you know, I was somewhat relatable back then. You know,
it's just we're looking looking forward to just having these
memories and being able to, like you said, share the
stores behind them. And I can't wait to hear ask
about it.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Uh, you got an amazing song that's about to do
something huge. Now you're working on more new music. I
know when you get to step away from music, you
you love your roots. You love Atlanta Braves baseball. But
I don't want to talk about that because it's been
a rough start to the year.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
So we're gonna move on.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, so we're I was just there last night and
we h Yeah, one four in a row. That's a
big step forward from the beginning of the year. But
I know everybody always talks about how long the season is,
and I'm glad. I'm glad it is that long. This year,
we got plenty of time to turn it around, but
was not not an ideal star. But that's part of
being a fan, you know. You can't just like them
(08:51):
when when they're playing well. And I think I'd rather
just be good at the end of the year than
the beginning anyway. So well, I'll keep rooting them on
and how to how to blast getting to catch a
game recently?
Speaker 1 (09:03):
How important is that for you to get that downtime
and go to a Braves game or go to dude
stuff that you did before everybody knew who Colsonwindell was.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
You know, it's I was thinking last night, you know,
the walking up from where we did, the experience. You know,
Derek Schiller with the Braves has become a good friend
of mine and always takes care of us. And it's
just it doesn't matter how many times I've been there
in those seats, It's just I'm like, man, twelve year
old me would be absolutely freaking out, you know. And well,
(09:33):
the only time I ever got to go to braz
games were on church trips or whatever, and we'd sit
in the nosebleeds and it's fun from up there. But
some of these, you know, getting to sit right there
by the dugout and interact with the players during the game.
It's just as a sports fan. I mean, you can't help,
but I try to play it cool as I can.
But I'm a huge, huge fan, and it's just amazing
to get to do that, like you said, in my
(09:54):
time off, because I don't I don't have that many hobbies,
just really catching my sports teams and playing as much
golf as possible, and from what I hear, I better
go ahead and get that in as well before the
baby gets here. So I'm playing the best golf I've
ever played, but it'll it'll all go away when she
gets here. But I'm going to enjoy it while while last.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
There's still gonna be times where she looks over and
is like, get the hell out of here.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Yeah, probably, you're right. I don't know that that's if
I'm playing too much after that, that might not be
a good thing for many reasons. So we're but no,
it's it'd be fine. We're find a balance. And just
like I said, I just already I'm wondering how I'm
gonna feel, you know, when she's here. I just think
my whole everything's gonna change. And that's great. I've been
(10:35):
been waiting on that for a long time, so it's cool.
I got to work hard for ten plus years and
now still get to do that, but then also have
a family to share it with. I mean, that's what
it's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
When it comes to where you're at musically.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Obviously, we know the current song is on the verge
of grabbing the top spot.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
What do you know what you want to come with next?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You know? I think for me, I mean, you know,
we've got twenty one songs on this new project, and honestly,
every I feel like every album you make, it's you'd
say it's you know, got to be one of your
favorites if not, because it's just new stuff to you
and new phases of life. And I think this is
this whole project is just different stuff because I'm in
(11:19):
a different place in my life and the fans that
have grown with me and experienced things as I have,
it's been It's been really cool. But I think, you know,
I've had a few serious songs out there. I think
people know that side of me now, but also when
I came on the scene, they knew the fun side
of me, and I just it's hard to beat those
types of songs too. And after such a you know,
emotional song to me and just a you know, a
(11:41):
big moment of my life, I think I'll probably want
to come with us some tempo and something that you know,
just people can't get out of their heads and got
a few ideas.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
So when it comes to the amazing songs you've put out,
is any one of them?
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Have you ever stood back and be like, well, y'all
really like this one? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:59):
I mean the older I get and look back at
some of the early ones, yeah, I mean, but it's
just that's music changes, and the whole landscape of it,
the sound, the you know, when when I came on
the scene, the whole traditional thing wasn't the the vibe,
and now it's just since Yellowstone and whatever, it's, it's
changed a lot, you know what I mean? And that
and that's cool because I've always loved, loved that that
(12:21):
style of it too. So that's for this album. You know,
I wanted to have the stuff that was actual traditional
country sounding, but then you know, keep that vibe of
of when I came on the scene that I know
that my fans love, and you know, you just as
an artist. I mean, you you obviously want people to
to dig your stuff, but it's it's okay, not everybody.
(12:43):
You're not making it for the for the critics. You know,
you you let that stuff. We talk about it all
the time as artists, but like that one comment that
ruins your day, you know, and the hundreds that are positive,
I mean, that's not fair to those people to worry
about the negative. So it's it is hard, though, but
I you know, for this, you know, you learn as
you go, and I think just to quit worrying about
(13:03):
that stuff and worry about the people that do, you know,
love what I do. And I'm just excited to have
those fans and take them through this whole album with me.
I think it's you know, it's a it's a roller coaster.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
It's been cool as country music especially. I mean, you
can go back to like early FGL stuff to work
where the sound of country changed. But what's happened over
the last five years is country country changed them. But
now it's like those lines are so blurred right now.
You have maintained steady, continue to be successful, but watching
(13:39):
what's happening in country around you, what would tell you
that country is in a great place right now versus
ten fifteen years ago.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
You know, I think just the variety, like just what
you said. I mean, yeah, I love the traditional sound,
but it's you know, that's not everybody's cup of teat
to be able to combine that with something, you know.
I mean, look at what Wallin's done for the genre
and how huge. I mean, I just got back from
Australia and I think they're saying, you know, how big
country's gotten over the past few years him Luke calls
(14:06):
on several more. I mean, they're responsible for that, and
I mean we all benefit when when somebody does well,
you know. So I think it's always going to change,
but who knows what'll be the next hot sound here
and there. And I've always tried to, you know, not
chase anything too hard. Just I just want to put
out relatable songs. And I'd be lying if I said
sometimes I didn't feel like I'm out of the loops sometimes, man,
(14:27):
things change fast. You know. There's a lot of artists
out there, and you know, with social media and all
these you know, the TikTok stuff, it's just easier to
you know, get noticed and have a career. And I
always say, whether you like that or not, I mean,
I had at my foot in the door and chance
to get my shot, and I think TikTok is that
for a lot of artists right now. And it's just
(14:48):
it's amazing to see how powerful that stuff is. So
I'm just happy to still be around, man, you know,
to get to do this, you know, ten eleven, twelve
years later. It's just it's a blessing to be on
album five and still you know, just renewed my contract.
I've you know, been with Warner since day one. And
that's how I am. Man. It's it's family when it
(15:08):
comes to work. I mean, it does feel like family
to me. And I uh, I'm just lucky to have that.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
And I'll tell you it's somebody who gets to talk
to these clowns all the time.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
They're just as passionate about your success as you are.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
So I mean, and that means the world because it's
and that's like I said, not just family. You get
to share it with the people that have to deal
with you every day and the bad days, and my team,
you know, just you know, it's we're all working towards
the same goal and you know, but they're the ones
that see all the behind the scenes stuff and the
ones working hard to make sure I get to sit
here with you and talk about hit songs and you know,
(15:41):
and the fans out there that make them work live
is just it's it's awesome. It wouldn't be a special
if you didn't have people to share it with.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
You had mentioned social media and artists that are posting
stuff all the time, and we just talked to Bailey Zemron,
who feels like he's putting out a new song every
twenty minutes.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Some of that might be a d D, some of
that might be as fast, but he's great.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
But you know, you look at it and that's what
that's what works, that's what you have to do. And
I feel like, you know, he's young, uh energies off
the charts. I mean, that's what that's what he does.
That's what people want to see. And it's just like
I said, man, you can't you can't knock the fact
that they're working hard. You know, our working hard back
when I got started didn't look the same as this,
(16:21):
and I think it's, you know, just trying to adapt
and stay in the game and that some of it
is uncomfortable for you know, for people that have been
around a little bit, but it is what it is. Man.
You either do it or you get left behind. And
we're trying to figure out We're always trying to figure
out that way of how does that fit for me?
I'm not twenty two year old kid doing this? How
do I do this? And you could still go viral
dancing on TikTok though I should. I could definitely go viral.
(16:47):
It would go viral, it would yeah, it would not
be another press bad. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
No.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
The funny thing is, you know, I was I was
talking to another guy in radio recently about this and
what TikTok has done. It has eliminated the radio shows
to like you have to play like thirty radio shows
in a year on top of your like full page gigs.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
This is eliminated a lot of that. I think for
some of the newer artists coming in.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Oh wow, just yeah, feel well? Yeah, I mean, I
don't you know, to me, it's radio is all I've had.
I mean my whole career. They've always you know, you
guys have always been good to me, and so to me,
it's I don't know, it's what I grew upon and
to be able to have this many hit songs, it's
(17:31):
just it's hard to wrap your head around. Man. So
I'm very very fortunate. But a lot of people that
are responsible for that.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
With all the things going on in country right now,
between the social media stuff and and you know, artists
putting out fifty five to ten song albums, somewhere in
the middle, there's also I feel a certain expectation of
who are you working with?
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Who's working with who?
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Yeah, how do you how do you avoid that pressure
and just let let collabs or duets fall into place
where they're supposed to.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Yeah, you know, that's something I don't think people really know.
You know, your friends like, oh, you ought to do
this with so and so, and don't you don't realize
how hard that is, or that so and so has
got a song with so and so coming out in
two weeks and it's just a you know, it's a
huge But I've said that for years. I mean, the
collapse stuff. It was always another genres and I'm like,
how you know, or if you've done one, I can't
(18:24):
do another one. It's like other artists and other genres
don't think like that it's I that's a compliment. You
know they're on it, and it just you see a
lot more. But obviously it's catching on in country, and
it's just tough with everybody's schedules and different labels and
what their music release is like, and you know, to
have collabs. So this one, this album, to me, I
think if we have any it'll be after the fact.
(18:44):
There's some songs that I love, but it's just a
lot of them were last minute finishes, just like the
last album, and I you know, I'm fired up about
the way it all turned out. But collabs are a
big deal. But this one, I'm I'm kind of taking
this one solo and we'll see. I think you know
who fits on what after the fact.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
So this will play a portion of this will play
this Saturday, and then obviously the iHeart Country Festival is
coming up a week a week away, so you'll be
in Austin, Texas for that show.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
It's you.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
It's Sam Hunt, Thomas, Rhett Rascal, Flats Brooks and Dunn, Bailey, Zimmerman,
Megan Maroney, Nate Smith.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Did I get it all?
Speaker 2 (19:28):
I think that's hard to forget that lineup that is
other than it being long. That is honestly that people
you always say that's an honor to share the studies
with it. Really, I mean, that's a crazy lineup, man,
that's a that's a big deal.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
What is it like backstage at a show like that,
because not that you'll see a lot of people and
maybe not a ton of downtime, but when you go
to a show where I don't know what your relationship
is like with Rascal Flats, but those dudes haven't been
together for a while, Brooks and Dune, yeah, absolute legends.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
Will do you.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Try to seek any of them out? Or do you
hope to run into anybody?
Speaker 2 (20:04):
You know? I think we usually do the group pictures
and stuff. I know, I'll you know, hopefully at least
get to say hey to them, because I literally I
am a fan of everybody on that lineup.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
That's it's pretty cool to just you know, and backstage.
I'm sure I'll be in there when I'm not there's
some media stuff around it, but to try to catch
some of the sets and just see what it's like.
I feel like we're all on the same team that night,
you know, making sure that the fans in the building
and the people streaming on Hulu are enjoying it, and
I take this roster any day. Man, I'm excited to
(20:33):
be a part.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Of Hey, shout out to the Hulu plugs. I wasn't
gonna work that in. Thank you for that chitching. When
it comes to being invited to stuff like that, how
what does that mean for you? Obviously you started as
a fan, ye, you're a part of the game now.
And when a lineup is announced and whether it's iHeart
or it's stage coach, or it's wherever else you end
(20:55):
up playing, and you see names like Brooks and Dunn.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Yeah, I mean, and that's, like I said, there's been,
you know, several full circle moments, I think, from from
growing up falling in love with nineties country to doing
songs with some of those artists are sharing the same
stage and Brooks and Dunn, man, it's just legends, I mean.
And to be even part of that lineup, you know,
I'm sure there's a lot of us on that stage,
(21:21):
everybody probably that feels the same way. And you know,
but then you've got you know, people like Nate Smith
that I've toured with, and tr and Sam and me.
We all kind of came up at the same time.
Megan Maroney's absolutely crushing it, Bailey. I mean, geez, it's
I don't know, it's exciting talking about it and humbling
knowing that because I know what you know, when they
(21:41):
make that line up, they're trying to put together the
best that they can do for them the festival the
same way. I mean, it's just those are big deals
to a lot of people, and to know that you
have the responsibility to make sure, you know, everybody has
a good time. I love that. Man. That fires me up.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
So I'm going to ask you as somebody who started
as a country music fan, and I'm also gonna embarrassed
at the same time, when she first met Garth and.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
Tris astray here, like, well, for real, that's part.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
To be fair, it's in her contract. She has to
catch she has to catch a couple. But when she
first met.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Gartha, Trich's trying. Yeah, I'm like, but I'm talking.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Not like, oh my god, no, it was.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
So I bet he's telling the story a little different.
But listen through my eyes, all right, imagine that's what
she felt like inside. Maybe, Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Have you ever have you ever had a moment like that,
and maybe not hysterically Pride and Mac.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Not like you acted like Tay is she didn't even
do that. But actually, yes, And that's what I know
what you mean by just there's just so many you know,
you grow up on these songs and how much they
mean to you, and then here you are meeting you know,
the person that that did that. I mean mine was
back at the ACMs years ago. I don't even remember chilling.
It was the only thing I think I had out
(23:03):
And We're walking by Tim and Faith and I'm telling
my buddy Michael Monica, I'm like, this is it. I
got to speak to him. I got to speak to him,
and I got about from me to you to him
and just kind of look down and walked right by
him and uh no, no, no, no, no, no, that
that did not that's not the same thing. Sorry, Right
before I got to me and you to him, Yeah,
he reached out his hand, That's what happened, and uh introduced.
(23:23):
He's like, hey, Cole, I'm Tim and I just I
honestly I couldn't even speak. I mean, it's embarrassing. I
literally I was like, yeah, He's like, uh, you know,
I listened to chilling it picking up my daughter's just
always on. You know, I'm a big fan and I'm
just like, man, and uh, I just I like, I
think I put my head on his shoulder and just
walked off. I didn't. I mean, he'd probably like, what
(23:46):
was that? But I just honestly, I mean some you know,
people like that. I wasn't expecting that for him to
reach out. I wanted to talk to him, and I'm like, nope,
I'd already decided I wasn't, and he just I don't know,
I talked to me for a few minutes and just uh,
stuff like that. Man that you know, I hadn't felt
like that too many times meeting somebody. It's just it
was emotional, I think, you know, I had my eyes
(24:06):
were watering and didn't couldn't really speak, so I just
tapped him, patted him on the shoulder and kept walking like.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
He probably thought I was, you know, not very cool.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Uh Uh.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
As we wrap things up, I want to ask, like
I said, country music it's in such a cool spot
right now because there's it used to be like, hey,
that's not country. Yeah, and then it was well that
sounds country and now it's like from post Malone to
Beyonce to Morgan to You to Zach Top.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
I mean, country is And it's.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Funny to me the people that still complain it's like
with all the ways you can find music and listen to,
it's just go listen to what you want to listen to.
I mean, it's just uh, but I do think it
makes it better. It brings everybody in. And you know,
like I said, I mean somebody that is doing well
in our format, I mean they're gonna probably look and
find other artists and hey, that artist might be you
(24:58):
that they stumble across. So I think, think, you know,
I'm just one of those artists. I you know, I'd
want people pulling from now pulling for them. I just
think it's better for all of us in the in
the long run. And uh, you know, the country radio
that supports us and you know make sure that you
know we stay around is just you can't thank them enough.
So it's a it's an honor.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
So so as a guy who's been around over ten
years in the format, who are some of your closest
friends that you're proud to be doing this with and
not the guys that guys and girls that like you're
close with, whether it's a creative process or touring or
you talked about being close with with Sam and t R.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
Yeah, I like that.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Yeah, TR has a bit. We've you know, toured together
a couple of times and just having those conversations that
only I feel like we understand. You know, people from
the outside may think it's all you know, bright lights
and just good times, and some of it is, but
it's also there's a lot of pressure and just you know,
the demand to keep doing this and this, and it's
(25:58):
just you're the only one that can, you know, do it.
So it's just it's a lot. But I think, you know,
people like TR obviously new artists are so excited for
Grayland James, Me and him have become pretty close, and
I just I don't know, I remember when I was
right there where he was, and you know, he's he's
become a good buddy mine, George Burge. He's a big
golfer like me. So it's just cool seeing whether like
(26:21):
I said, it's hard, we don't get to spend a
whole lot of time together, but Luke see him every
now and then. He's obviously, Uh, we're still buddies and
just uh yeah, man, I'm thankful to, like I said,
to get to do it along side of them, and
I'm thankful for their friendships because that's I think, that's
just a special, special bond that we kind of only
understand on some sort of situations.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
And as a guy who has done this at a
high level for so long, who are names not like
you know, Luke Bryan Jason Thin, but like when you
look at this next wave of country artists me have
three years, like within the last three years, now, who
are who are artists? Since you've seen this for so long,
who are artists that you look at now and you're
(27:04):
like this formats in good hands because of this person,
this person, this person.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Yeah, I mean I think obviously you know, I don't
know if you were not talking about those I'm talking
like that came after me, like Luke, Colmbs and Bailey Zimmerman.
You know, Megan Maroney is killing Ella Langley, you know
Riley obviously doing well. Who I think who else I
was thinking of? But no, it's I mean, there's just
(27:31):
so many great artists out there, and I think, uh,
you know, everybody does their own thing. I think it's
a little a little different, and it's it's cool to
have them all on our on our side.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Uh you brought up golf, by the way, we had
Chris Young in here not long ago.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
Have you golfed with Nate Smith before?
Speaker 2 (27:48):
I have not. We've talked about it, and we always
said on we were both on the Thomas Rhett Tour
and He's like, we gotta you gotta teach me how
to golf. I'm like, man, I'm not the best teacher,
but I'd love to play. But we've never uh never played.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
We talked to Chris Young and if you need to
be up on somebody, if you need to feel better about.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
Your golf game too, yes, okay, well man, it's a
tough game, that's what. Honestly, it's the most humbling sport
in the world. I think we were I got to
play some over in Australia, Cody Johnson, So I was
going to say I obviously was label mate, but I
mean watching his show just I don't know. I hadn't
seen his show in a while and we were over
in Australia and just he's just a real deal.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Man.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I think having people like that that are also good
to people. I mean, he's we've you know, he's always
been good to me and just I'm I'm a big
fan of his. So I didn't talk him in to
play in any golf. He was off rope and doing
his thing. I was off making bogie. So we had
had a good trip over there that I wanted to
give him a shout out because he and his team
are awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
That's so awesome, man. What are the plans this summer then?
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Man? Just uh, you know, festivals and just promoting this album.
It's it's been, it's it's gonna be busy. But like
my team tells me, you didn't had to do this
in over two and a half years. Saddle up, you know,
it's time to go to work. And I'm just excited.
You know, when you have something like this album that
you're fired up for people to hear, you know. I'm
gonna be honest, I didn't feel like that about the
(29:03):
project as a whole for a long time and just
everything always works out at just the right time and
how it's supposed to. And now just to have that
feeling back of man, I cannot wait for people to
hear this whole thing, not just these couple songs like
I can't wait for people to listen from top to
bottom and just kind of see what we've been working
on for so long, Dude.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Cole Swindell making it just getting cribs.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
I'm going to do the new cribs. How about that?
Did we just come up with something?
Speaker 3 (29:30):
All right? Appreciate your brother
It's been a minute since we caught up with this dude,
and I was trying to think before you got here.
I think the last time we caught up was in
Key West.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Wow, it's been way too long.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
That's a year, right, too cool? And I respect that.
It's fine at all.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I've been meaning to get by here. So when Dell
is here, Brother, Howard things man, good, good, Just glad
to be here, Bud, how are y'all doing?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
I can't complain, can't complain. Life is a lot different
from the last time we caught up. The music keeps coming.
You're enjoying married life. Yeah, that was that balance supernatural
for you, Like once you added that element to your
personal life.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
You know, I don't I think it took him in.
Maybe I'm still finding that balance, you know, I know
that for ten years. I mean, my career is just
all focused on and you know, I'm glad I did.
But you know, at the when I met Courtney and
got engaged, I think I kind of put a lot
of things on the back burner and just kind of
focused on that and got married and all that good stuff.
(00:58):
But at some point I woke up and said, if
I don't get back to work and write these songs
and find these songs, and I'm never going to finish
this album, but I'm glad I had that kind of
breakaway from everything to just enjoy that. That was a big,
big moment for both of us. And I don't know,
I just kind of went back and finally got a
chance to get this album done and now here we are. Man,
(01:19):
I'm just excited to have this song and this album.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And let me say this because you can't anybody that
does interviews with Cole Swindell don't ask about babies, don't
ask about starting a big old family.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Let the man enjoy his life and we're moving on
from there.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
You're good, Hey, man, I'm excited about that.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
But some of that stuff, like it's like, hey, I'm
working on music too.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
I know. Yeah, no, I get it. But it is
finding a balance. And you said the wedding and then
now going to be a dad, that's the coolest thing
of all. But to have an album and that a
kid on the way is just it's gonna be a
big year.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Man. So yeah, when it comes to pre planning for
dad life, yeah, it's like you can you can't, you know,
it's it's like a it's like a storm.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Yeah, it might rain, it might take the roof off
the house.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, that's what I know. And that's I think. It's
just hearing everybody else, all my buddies that have kids,
and uh. One thing I've noticed though, is just it's
one of the it seems like to be one of
those things in life that it's hard to explain it.
It's almost fun for me to watch my buddies try
to explain how cool it is being a dad, or
whether you have a boy or a girl, you know,
whatever it is, and I can just tell. I think
(02:28):
it's one of those things you have to experience yourself.
And you know, I know, Uh, we're having a little girl.
She's already already got me rap man, she's not even here.
So it's, uh, I'm.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
In trouble listen, but it's a good trouble.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, no, I know. And that's what I'm saying. It's like,
I don't I don't mind that, you know. I think
you know, I'm kind of softy anyway when it comes
to stuff like that. So having a little girl, I
think it's I don't know, it's only gonna make.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
That worse so a million because I'm a girl dad.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
In a good way. Like you said, I think it
just changes the way you see the world. And yeah, uh,
you know, do anything to make sure they're good. And
that's kind of all the things. You know. I've I've
moved here, want to be a good songwriter and an artist,
and and then now it's just like I still want
to be that, but but I want to focus on
being a good dad. I think this is more important
than any of it, and just very blessed and thankful
(03:19):
to have a chance to.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
So So my daughter just turned well she'll be fourteen
this summer. They go fast, it goes extremely fast, and
fourteen but it's all. But now she's like talking about
middle school formal. She'll be in high school next year.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Her first like big time crush is Maddox Bats and
oh yeah. And I'm like and so I'm like, oh,
we'll go to.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Some shows and that's cool. He's killing us.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
But I'm also like, if you don't calm down, we
ain't coming to this stuff no more.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Exactly. Now you've got an artist like that age to worry.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
But it's funny because you like you get like half like, hey, like,
calm down.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, you're still my kid.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You're still But then she'd be like, Hi, nice to
meet you. You'll be like, hey, I go no, you
talk to her. She wants to talk to you.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
You turn around, exactly. Yeah, Like you like ride the
line of like don't talk to boys. Hey, she asked
you a question.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, I think you need to talk to her. So
I know, man, I can only imagine, and just just
hearing those stories, it's it's gonna be a wild, wild ride,
I'm sure, but I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
But you're right too, like everything is different, Like nobody's
like having a baby story or raising a kid's story
is the same as the person before m or.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
The person exactly yeah, And I know that. And her sister,
she has a little boy, like a year and a
half old, So I think Courtney's loving being an ann.
I'm glad she had that year and a half to
kind of be hands on right there with him till
from he was Tommy was born to now. And I
think us having a you know, ours on the way,
I think her having that practice with him is gonna
(04:47):
be a big help in her family as well. And
my family. I know they're all gonna be willing to help,
so we're gonna need it from what I hear, so
I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Yeah, no doubt. Man, it definitely changes bus life.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
You might need that's we kind of talked about that,
or we you know, we'll obviously make it arrange it
to where it's safe for her, but also you know,
I don't know how much they'll be out there or
how long it'll take to feel comfortable bringing out. But
I can't wait. Man, I've already thought about that, Like
the first show share it comes to I wonder which
one it'll be, what stage I'll be on, but it's
(05:20):
going to be special no matter where I am. And
that's just a cool part of life. I get to,
you know, experience from now.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
And I got to tell you, it's pretty cool to
watch you share stuff like that because a lot a
lot of I mean, it's really like fifty to fifty
some artists are like, hey, like that's what I'm doing,
and like that's over here.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I mean it's my first time. I mean, yeah, of course,
I just I can't hide. It's like music. You know,
there's a few things in life that make you feel
like music and like music does for me, and obviously
like getting engaged, married, and now this, I mean, it's
a common theme. These are all real life, big moments,
you know that you know, honestly didn't know whatever happened.
(05:57):
And the fact I'm right here in the middle of
that with a brand new album. And we always, as
funny as artists, we always call songs our babies, you know,
and now got a real one. So this is it's
gonna be a it's gonna be a fun year.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Uh has has the the baby process or the thoughts
of fatherhood started trickling trickling into music creation yet for you?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Absolutely? You know, I always wondered what that would be like,
you know, because you hear these songs sometimes and I've
heard so many phenomenal songs about, you know, mentioning kids.
But uh, I could I knew it was a great song,
but I didn't feel it like I'm gonna feel it now,
you know. I was just I was thinking. I literally
brought up to Courtney the other day, I was like, remember,
you're gonna miss this. I knew for a fact that's
(06:41):
a phenomenal song. But I've know, I mean, I just
you know, just a few years down the road and
that song's gonna hit differently. And that's what's what I
love about music, man, it's you know, it's all you know.
You write the best songs you can, you record them,
and some people were going through it, they're gonna relate
to it. Some people are gonna just be like, yeah, hey,
two weeks later, your life changes and you think it's
you know you the song means everything to you, and
(07:04):
that's just, uh, it's crazy how life changes and and uh,
you know, songs that just depends on who can relate
to it. That's uh, that's pretty amazing.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
I'm excited for you too.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
As your daughter gets older or as your children get
older in general, you have some especially I mean throughout
but especially.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Early in your career, some really cool.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Stories behind some of your songs, and they'll they'll ask
the stories behind songs like you should be here and
stuff like that, and you get to relive those moments
through your kid's eyes.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Now that's gonna be awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Yeah, I mean, that's I wonder what they're gonna think
of of. You know, I'm probably not going to be
very cool and there for a while, so uh, but
you know, just to be able to share that with
them and some of the pictures and you know Courtney,
she's gotten into scrapbooking and doing all that, and we
were looking at stuff just even just since we've been together,
(07:54):
my career, from the ACMs, all that stuff. It's just
a lot of big memories and to get the them someday,
Like you know, I was somewhat relatable back then. You know,
it's just we're looking looking forward to just having these
memories and being able to, like you said, share the
stores behind them. And I can't wait to hear ask
about it.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Uh, you got an amazing song that's about to do
something huge. Now you're working on more new music. I
know when you get to step away from music, you
you love your roots. You love Atlanta Braves baseball. But
I don't want to talk about that because it's been
a rough start to the year.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
So we're gonna move on.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, so we're I was just there last night and
we h Yeah, one four in a row. That's a
big step forward from the beginning of the year. But
I know everybody always talks about how long the season is,
and I'm glad. I'm glad it is that long. This year,
we got plenty of time to turn it around, but
was not not an ideal star. But that's part of
being a fan, you know. You can't just like them
(08:51):
when when they're playing well. And I think I'd rather
just be good at the end of the year than
the beginning anyway. So well, I'll keep rooting them on
and how to how to blast getting to catch a
game recently?
Speaker 1 (09:03):
How important is that for you to get that downtime
and go to a Braves game or go to dude
stuff that you did before everybody knew who Colsonwindell was.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
You know, it's I was thinking last night, you know,
the walking up from where we did, the experience. You know,
Derek Schiller with the Braves has become a good friend
of mine and always takes care of us. And it's
just it doesn't matter how many times I've been there
in those seats, It's just I'm like, man, twelve year
old me would be absolutely freaking out, you know. And well,
(09:33):
the only time I ever got to go to braz
games were on church trips or whatever, and we'd sit
in the nosebleeds and it's fun from up there. But
some of these, you know, getting to sit right there
by the dugout and interact with the players during the game.
It's just as a sports fan. I mean, you can't help,
but I try to play it cool as I can.
But I'm a huge, huge fan, and it's just amazing
to get to do that, like you said, in my
(09:54):
time off, because I don't I don't have that many hobbies,
just really catching my sports teams and playing as much
golf as possible, and from what I hear, I better
go ahead and get that in as well before the
baby gets here. So I'm playing the best golf I've
ever played, but it'll it'll all go away when she
gets here. But I'm going to enjoy it while while last.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
There's still gonna be times where she looks over and
is like, get the hell out of here.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Yeah, probably, you're right. I don't know that that's if
I'm playing too much after that, that might not be
a good thing for many reasons. So we're but no,
it's it'd be fine. We're find a balance. And just
like I said, I just already I'm wondering how I'm
gonna feel, you know, when she's here. I just think
my whole everything's gonna change. And that's great. I've been
(10:35):
been waiting on that for a long time, so it's cool.
I got to work hard for ten plus years and
now still get to do that, but then also have
a family to share it with. I mean, that's what
it's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
When it comes to where you're at musically.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Obviously, we know the current song is on the verge
of grabbing the top spot.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
What do you know what you want to come with next?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You know? I think for me, I mean, you know,
we've got twenty one songs on this new project, and honestly,
every I feel like every album you make, it's you'd
say it's you know, got to be one of your
favorites if not, because it's just new stuff to you
and new phases of life. And I think this is
this whole project is just different stuff because I'm in
(11:19):
a different place in my life and the fans that
have grown with me and experienced things as I have,
it's been It's been really cool. But I think, you know,
I've had a few serious songs out there. I think
people know that side of me now, but also when
I came on the scene, they knew the fun side
of me, and I just it's hard to beat those
types of songs too. And after such a you know,
emotional song to me and just a you know, a
(11:41):
big moment of my life, I think I'll probably want
to come with us some tempo and something that you know,
just people can't get out of their heads and got
a few ideas.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
So when it comes to the amazing songs you've put out,
is any one of them?
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Have you ever stood back and be like, well, y'all
really like this one? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:59):
I mean the older I get and look back at
some of the early ones, yeah, I mean, but it's
just that's music changes, and the whole landscape of it,
the sound, the you know, when when I came on
the scene, the whole traditional thing wasn't the the vibe,
and now it's just since Yellowstone and whatever, it's, it's
changed a lot, you know what I mean? And that
and that's cool because I've always loved, loved that that
(12:21):
style of it too. So that's for this album. You know,
I wanted to have the stuff that was actual traditional
country sounding, but then you know, keep that vibe of
of when I came on the scene that I know
that my fans love, and you know, you just as
an artist. I mean, you you obviously want people to
to dig your stuff, but it's it's okay, not everybody.
(12:43):
You're not making it for the for the critics. You know,
you you let that stuff. We talk about it all
the time as artists, but like that one comment that
ruins your day, you know, and the hundreds that are positive,
I mean, that's not fair to those people to worry
about the negative. So it's it is hard, though, but
I you know, for this, you know, you learn as
you go, and I think just to quit worrying about
(13:03):
that stuff and worry about the people that do, you know,
love what I do. And I'm just excited to have
those fans and take them through this whole album with me.
I think it's you know, it's a it's a roller coaster.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
It's been cool as country music especially. I mean, you
can go back to like early FGL stuff to work
where the sound of country changed. But what's happened over
the last five years is country country changed them. But
now it's like those lines are so blurred right now.
You have maintained steady, continue to be successful, but watching
(13:39):
what's happening in country around you, what would tell you
that country is in a great place right now versus
ten fifteen years ago.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
You know, I think just the variety, like just what
you said. I mean, yeah, I love the traditional sound,
but it's you know, that's not everybody's cup of teat
to be able to combine that with something, you know.
I mean, look at what Wallin's done for the genre
and how huge. I mean, I just got back from
Australia and I think they're saying, you know, how big
country's gotten over the past few years him Luke calls
(14:06):
on several more. I mean, they're responsible for that, and
I mean we all benefit when when somebody does well,
you know. So I think it's always going to change,
but who knows what'll be the next hot sound here
and there. And I've always tried to, you know, not
chase anything too hard. Just I just want to put
out relatable songs. And I'd be lying if I said
sometimes I didn't feel like I'm out of the loops sometimes, man,
(14:27):
things change fast. You know. There's a lot of artists
out there, and you know, with social media and all
these you know, the TikTok stuff, it's just easier to
you know, get noticed and have a career. And I
always say, whether you like that or not, I mean,
I had at my foot in the door and chance
to get my shot, and I think TikTok is that
for a lot of artists right now. And it's just
(14:48):
it's amazing to see how powerful that stuff is. So
I'm just happy to still be around, man, you know,
to get to do this, you know, ten eleven, twelve
years later. It's just it's a blessing to be on
album five and still you know, just renewed my contract.
I've you know, been with Warner since day one. And
that's how I am. Man. It's it's family when it
(15:08):
comes to work. I mean, it does feel like family
to me. And I uh, I'm just lucky to have that.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
And I'll tell you it's somebody who gets to talk
to these clowns all the time.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
They're just as passionate about your success as you are.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
So I mean, and that means the world because it's
and that's like I said, not just family. You get
to share it with the people that have to deal
with you every day and the bad days, and my team,
you know, just you know, it's we're all working towards
the same goal and you know, but they're the ones
that see all the behind the scenes stuff and the
ones working hard to make sure I get to sit
here with you and talk about hit songs and you know,
(15:41):
and the fans out there that make them work live
is just it's it's awesome. It wouldn't be a special
if you didn't have people to share it with.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
You had mentioned social media and artists that are posting
stuff all the time, and we just talked to Bailey Zemron,
who feels like he's putting out a new song every
twenty minutes.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Some of that might be a d D, some of
that might be as fast, but he's great.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
But you know, you look at it and that's what
that's what works, that's what you have to do. And
I feel like, you know, he's young, uh energies off
the charts. I mean, that's what that's what he does.
That's what people want to see. And it's just like
I said, man, you can't you can't knock the fact
that they're working hard. You know, our working hard back
when I got started didn't look the same as this,
(16:21):
and I think it's, you know, just trying to adapt
and stay in the game and that some of it
is uncomfortable for you know, for people that have been
around a little bit, but it is what it is. Man.
You either do it or you get left behind. And
we're trying to figure out We're always trying to figure
out that way of how does that fit for me?
I'm not twenty two year old kid doing this? How
do I do this? And you could still go viral
dancing on TikTok though I should. I could definitely go viral.
(16:47):
It would go viral, it would yeah, it would not
be another press bad. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
No.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
The funny thing is, you know, I was I was
talking to another guy in radio recently about this and
what TikTok has done. It has eliminated the radio shows
to like you have to play like thirty radio shows
in a year on top of your like full page gigs.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
This is eliminated a lot of that. I think for
some of the newer artists coming in.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
Oh wow, just yeah, feel well? Yeah, I mean, I
don't you know, to me, it's radio is all I've had.
I mean my whole career. They've always you know, you
guys have always been good to me, and so to me,
it's I don't know, it's what I grew upon and
to be able to have this many hit songs, it's
(17:31):
just it's hard to wrap your head around. Man. So
I'm very very fortunate. But a lot of people that
are responsible for that.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
With all the things going on in country right now,
between the social media stuff and and you know, artists
putting out fifty five to ten song albums, somewhere in
the middle, there's also I feel a certain expectation of
who are you working with?
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Who's working with who?
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Yeah, how do you how do you avoid that pressure
and just let let collabs or duets fall into place
where they're supposed to.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Yeah, you know, that's something I don't think people really know.
You know, your friends like, oh, you ought to do
this with so and so, and don't you don't realize
how hard that is, or that so and so has
got a song with so and so coming out in
two weeks and it's just a you know, it's a
huge But I've said that for years. I mean, the
collapse stuff. It was always another genres and I'm like,
how you know, or if you've done one, I can't
(18:24):
do another one. It's like other artists and other genres
don't think like that it's I that's a compliment. You
know they're on it, and it just you see a
lot more. But obviously it's catching on in country, and
it's just tough with everybody's schedules and different labels and
what their music release is like, and you know, to
have collabs. So this one, this album, to me, I
think if we have any it'll be after the fact.
(18:44):
There's some songs that I love, but it's just a
lot of them were last minute finishes, just like the
last album, and I you know, I'm fired up about
the way it all turned out. But collabs are a
big deal. But this one, I'm I'm kind of taking
this one solo and we'll see. I think you know
who fits on what after the fact.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
So this will play a portion of this will play
this Saturday, and then obviously the iHeart Country Festival is
coming up a week a week away, so you'll be
in Austin, Texas for that show.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
It's you.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
It's Sam Hunt, Thomas, Rhett Rascal, Flats Brooks and Dunn, Bailey, Zimmerman,
Megan Maroney, Nate Smith.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Did I get it all?
Speaker 2 (19:28):
I think that's hard to forget that lineup that is
other than it being long. That is honestly that people
you always say that's an honor to share the studies
with it. Really, I mean, that's a crazy lineup, man,
that's a that's a big deal.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
What is it like backstage at a show like that,
because not that you'll see a lot of people and
maybe not a ton of downtime, but when you go
to a show where I don't know what your relationship
is like with Rascal Flats, but those dudes haven't been
together for a while, Brooks and Dune, yeah, absolute legends.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
Will do you.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Try to seek any of them out? Or do you
hope to run into anybody?
Speaker 2 (20:04):
You know? I think we usually do the group pictures
and stuff. I know, I'll you know, hopefully at least
get to say hey to them, because I literally I
am a fan of everybody on that lineup.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Man.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
That's it's pretty cool to just you know, and backstage.
I'm sure I'll be in there when I'm not there's
some media stuff around it, but to try to catch
some of the sets and just see what it's like.
I feel like we're all on the same team that night,
you know, making sure that the fans in the building
and the people streaming on Hulu are enjoying it, and
I take this roster any day. Man, I'm excited to
(20:33):
be a part.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Of Hey, shout out to the Hulu plugs. I wasn't
gonna work that in. Thank you for that chitching. When
it comes to being invited to stuff like that, how
what does that mean for you? Obviously you started as
a fan, ye, you're a part of the game now.
And when a lineup is announced and whether it's iHeart
or it's stage coach, or it's wherever else you end
(20:55):
up playing, and you see names like Brooks and Dunn.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Yeah, I mean, and that's, like I said, there's been,
you know, several full circle moments, I think, from from
growing up falling in love with nineties country to doing
songs with some of those artists are sharing the same
stage and Brooks and Dunn, man, it's just legends, I mean.
And to be even part of that lineup, you know,
I'm sure there's a lot of us on that stage,
(21:21):
everybody probably that feels the same way. And you know,
but then you've got you know, people like Nate Smith
that I've toured with, and tr and Sam and me.
We all kind of came up at the same time.
Megan Maroney's absolutely crushing it, Bailey. I mean, geez, it's
I don't know, it's exciting talking about it and humbling
knowing that because I know what you know, when they
(21:41):
make that line up, they're trying to put together the
best that they can do for them the festival the
same way. I mean, it's just those are big deals
to a lot of people, and to know that you
have the responsibility to make sure, you know, everybody has
a good time. I love that. Man. That fires me up.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
So I'm going to ask you as somebody who started
as a country music fan, and I'm also gonna embarrassed
at the same time, when she first met Garth and.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
Tris astray here, like, well, for real, that's part.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
To be fair, it's in her contract. She has to
catch she has to catch a couple. But when she
first met.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Gartha, Trich's trying. Yeah, I'm like, but I'm talking.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Not like, oh my god, no, it was.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
So I bet he's telling the story a little different.
But listen through my eyes, all right, imagine that's what
she felt like inside. Maybe, Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Have you ever have you ever had a moment like that,
and maybe not hysterically Pride and Mac.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Not like you acted like Tay is she didn't even
do that. But actually, yes, And that's what I know
what you mean by just there's just so many you know,
you grow up on these songs and how much they
mean to you, and then here you are meeting you know,
the person that that did that. I mean mine was
back at the ACMs years ago. I don't even remember chilling.
It was the only thing I think I had out
(23:03):
And We're walking by Tim and Faith and I'm telling
my buddy Michael Monica, I'm like, this is it. I
got to speak to him. I got to speak to him,
and I got about from me to you to him
and just kind of look down and walked right by
him and uh no, no, no, no, no, no, that
that did not that's not the same thing. Sorry, Right
before I got to me and you to him, Yeah,
he reached out his hand, That's what happened, and uh introduced.
(23:23):
He's like, hey, Cole, I'm Tim and I just I
honestly I couldn't even speak. I mean, it's embarrassing. I
literally I was like, yeah, He's like, uh, you know,
I listened to chilling it picking up my daughter's just
always on. You know, I'm a big fan and I'm
just like, man, and uh, I just I like, I
think I put my head on his shoulder and just
walked off. I didn't. I mean, he'd probably like, what
(23:46):
was that? But I just honestly, I mean some you know,
people like that. I wasn't expecting that for him to
reach out. I wanted to talk to him, and I'm like, nope,
I'd already decided I wasn't, and he just I don't know,
I talked to me for a few minutes and just uh,
stuff like that. Man that you know, I hadn't felt
like that too many times meeting somebody. It's just it
was emotional, I think, you know, I had my eyes
(24:06):
were watering and didn't couldn't really speak, so I just
tapped him, patted him on the shoulder and kept walking like.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
He probably thought I was, you know, not very cool.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Uh Uh.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
As we wrap things up, I want to ask, like
I said, country music it's in such a cool spot
right now because there's it used to be like, hey,
that's not country. Yeah, and then it was well that
sounds country and now it's like from post Malone to
Beyonce to Morgan to You to Zach Top.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
I mean, country is And it's.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Funny to me the people that still complain it's like
with all the ways you can find music and listen to,
it's just go listen to what you want to listen to.
I mean, it's just uh, but I do think it
makes it better. It brings everybody in. And you know,
like I said, I mean somebody that is doing well
in our format, I mean they're gonna probably look and
find other artists and hey, that artist might be you
(24:58):
that they stumble across. So I think, think, you know,
I'm just one of those artists. I you know, I'd
want people pulling from now pulling for them. I just
think it's better for all of us in the in
the long run. And uh, you know, the country radio
that supports us and you know make sure that you
know we stay around is just you can't thank them enough.
So it's a it's an honor.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
So so as a guy who's been around over ten
years in the format, who are some of your closest
friends that you're proud to be doing this with and
not the guys that guys and girls that like you're
close with, whether it's a creative process or touring or
you talked about being close with with Sam and t R.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
Yeah, I like that.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Yeah, TR has a bit. We've you know, toured together
a couple of times and just having those conversations that
only I feel like we understand. You know, people from
the outside may think it's all you know, bright lights
and just good times, and some of it is, but
it's also there's a lot of pressure and just you know,
the demand to keep doing this and this, and it's
(25:58):
just you're the only one that can, you know, do it.
So it's just it's a lot. But I think, you know,
people like TR obviously new artists are so excited for
Grayland James, Me and him have become pretty close, and
I just I don't know, I remember when I was
right there where he was, and you know, he's he's
become a good buddy mine, George Burge. He's a big
golfer like me. So it's just cool seeing whether like
(26:21):
I said, it's hard, we don't get to spend a
whole lot of time together, but Luke see him every
now and then. He's obviously, Uh, we're still buddies and
just uh yeah, man, I'm thankful to, like I said,
to get to do it along side of them, and
I'm thankful for their friendships because that's I think, that's
just a special, special bond that we kind of only
understand on some sort of situations.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
And as a guy who has done this at a
high level for so long, who are names not like
you know, Luke Bryan Jason Thin, but like when you
look at this next wave of country artists me have
three years, like within the last three years, now, who
are who are artists? Since you've seen this for so long,
who are artists that you look at now and you're
(27:04):
like this formats in good hands because of this person,
this person, this person.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Yeah, I mean I think obviously you know, I don't
know if you were not talking about those I'm talking
like that came after me, like Luke, Colmbs and Bailey Zimmerman.
You know, Megan Maroney is killing Ella Langley, you know
Riley obviously doing well. Who I think who else I
was thinking of? But no, it's I mean, there's just
(27:31):
so many great artists out there, and I think, uh,
you know, everybody does their own thing. I think it's
a little a little different, and it's it's cool to
have them all on our on our side.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Uh you brought up golf, by the way, we had
Chris Young in here not long ago.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
Have you golfed with Nate Smith before?
Speaker 2 (27:48):
I have not. We've talked about it, and we always
said on we were both on the Thomas Rhett Tour
and He's like, we gotta you gotta teach me how
to golf. I'm like, man, I'm not the best teacher,
but I'd love to play. But we've never uh never played.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
We talked to Chris Young and if you need to
be up on somebody, if you need to feel better about.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
Your golf game too, yes, okay, well man, it's a
tough game, that's what. Honestly, it's the most humbling sport
in the world. I think we were I got to
play some over in Australia, Cody Johnson, So I was
going to say I obviously was label mate, but I
mean watching his show just I don't know. I hadn't
seen his show in a while and we were over
in Australia and just he's just a real deal.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Man.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I think having people like that that are also good
to people. I mean, he's we've you know, he's always
been good to me and just I'm I'm a big
fan of his. So I didn't talk him in to
play in any golf. He was off rope and doing
his thing. I was off making bogie. So we had
had a good trip over there that I wanted to
give him a shout out because he and his team
are awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
That's so awesome, man. What are the plans this summer then?
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Man? Just uh, you know, festivals and just promoting this album.
It's it's been, it's it's gonna be busy. But like
my team tells me, you didn't had to do this
in over two and a half years. Saddle up, you know,
it's time to go to work. And I'm just excited.
You know, when you have something like this album that
you're fired up for people to hear, you know. I'm
gonna be honest, I didn't feel like that about the
(29:03):
project as a whole for a long time and just
everything always works out at just the right time and
how it's supposed to. And now just to have that
feeling back of man, I cannot wait for people to
hear this whole thing, not just these couple songs like
I can't wait for people to listen from top to
bottom and just kind of see what we've been working
on for so long, Dude.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Cole Swindell making it just getting cribs.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
I'm going to do the new cribs. How about that?
Did we just come up with something?
Speaker 3 (29:30):
All right? Appreciate your brother
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