Cole Swindell goes deep with new album ‘Spanish Moss’

Mid-life has an impact on many, including Cole Swindell. The country singer-songwriter married Courtney Little in 2024, and the couple had their first child in August.

Swindell, 42, has experience depth and growth, and "Spanish Moss," his latest album, reflects that metamorphosis. "Dale Jr.," which is one of the most poignant tracks from Swindell's fifth album, is a moving tip of the cap to Swindell's late father and the impact of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.

The song, which Swindell composed with James and Matt Alderman, also refers to the Georgia native's friendship with Dale Earnhardt Jr. The friends connected due to their shared grief of losing their fathers.

"It's one of the most emotional songs on this album," Swindell said. "It's track three, obviously, on purpose as a little nod to Dale Sr. (who's car was number three), and I don't think you would expect what you're about to hear. It's just a true story. Dale Jr. reached out to me years back when I had, "You Should Be Here," and he said he could relate to the song after the loss of his dad, Dale Sr. Obviously, he had never heard of my dad or met him, but it just shows you that people are real people. They're dads, too.“

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Swindell's life has gone full circle since he is now a father of a daughter. Paternity has added a layer to his life, but the show is going on as Swindell will perform Friday at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse.

Swindell is looking forward to performing his latest single, "Forever to Me," which hit the top of the Billboard Country charts. The catchy and touching cut, which is one of 21 songs that appear on the epic "Spanish Moss," centers around Swindell's relationship with his wife.

"Anytime you get to celebrate a No. 1 song, it's always special for so many reasons," Swindell said while calling from Nashville. "Over the years I've found the main reason for me is getting to share it with all the folks that make it possible. A huge thank you to country radio for supporting me through the years and especially for the love on a song that means so much to me and my wife."

Swindell, unlike some of his Music City peers, is about the craft of the song as much as he is about performing a tune. Prior to landing on the charts as a recording artist, Swindell paid his dues in Nashville.

Swindell made a name for himself as a songsmith by penning hits for Luke Bryan with "Just a Sip,“ ”Beer in the Headlight" and "Out Like That.“ He also co-wrote Florida Georgia Line's "This Is How We Roll."

The Georgia Southern University alum broke out as a solo artist a dozen years ago, but he continues to pen tunes. "I moved to this town to be a songwriter," Swindell said. "All I ever wanted to do was write songs."

Swindell hit the charts in 2013 with his debut single, the aptly titled "Chillin' It," which hit the top five of the country charts. "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight" and "Ain't Worth the Whiskey" each landed on the charts, and Swindell was on his way.

Swindell has become a hit machine. "You Should Be Here," "Middle of a Memory" and "Flatline" are part of his hit parade. The fan favorites are catchy, but what makes the tunes special are the attention Swindell pays to the lyrics, which has always been significant for him.

"I've always been about lyrics," Swindell said. "The words are why I fell in love with country music during the '90s. I still love those songs from Tim McGraw and George Strait. But not everybody feels about lyrics like I do. A good melody is all some people might need to love a song. But I like telling a story and hearing a story as a music fan. The lyrics are my favorite part of a song."

Inspiration is everywhere for Swindell, who came up with the "Forever to Me" concept on the way to the Michigan-University of Washington NCAA football title game in 2024.

"I'm thankful to have written this one with my buddies, Greylan James and Rocky Block on a last-minute trip to Texas for the national championship (game)," Swindell said. "We didn't really set out to write our wedding song, but I remember them asking me about Courtney and me simply saying, 'She's forever to me.' As soon as I said that, we knew that was what we had to write, and the rest is history."

It all worked out for Swindell, who was a marketing major in college. Swindell was on his way to a 9-5 gig until he hit the stage as a student.

"I never performed before I went to college," Swindell said. "But as soon as I started performing in bars and at parties in college, I knew that I wanted to be a singer. The cool thing about college is that you just don't learn in a classroom. There's so much you learn after making friends and experiencing things during that period of your life."