Country superstar Cole Swindell has spent the last decade climbing the charts and winning over fans with his signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and feel-good anthems. Since breaking through with platinum singles like “Chillin’ It,” “You Should Be Here,” and “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” the Georgia native has become one of country music’s most consistent and charismatic performers.
This month, Swindell brings his high-energy show to Scottsdale with a performance at Barrett-Jackson's iconic Scottsdale Auction. He kicks off the event on Fri., Jan. 16 at the Rock The Block concert, giving Valley fans a chance to experience his chart-topping hits live.
Here, we caught up with Swindell to talk about his career, health tips, and obsession with trading cards.
You knew you wanted to go into the music industry when …
I'd have to say college. That's really where I got my start, singing on stage in front of people, although it wasn't that many people. But then after falling in love with being on stage, I got really into the songwriting side of the business. I still didn't know about it, but I knew I wanted to be part of writing the songs.
Music has always been impactful to me, as far back as just being a kid. But I finally knew I loved being on stage, and then I was hearing these songs that people were writing. As a kid, I didn't know that every artist didn't write their own songs. So, when I discovered songwriting, that's what I became obsessed with it. I wanted to be part of writing songs that helped other people the way music had always helped me
When you’re writing, what usually comes first for you—concept, melody, or a specific line you can’t shake?
You know, I get this question all the time. There's no specific answer. It just kind of depends on the song, the idea, the time—whatever comes first, that's what you run with. If it's an idea, run with that. If it's a melody, try to figure out, you know, some lyrics to it or whatever. There's no real formula to write a song other than being open to whatever, whenever. That's kind of my best thing.
You know, some of my best songs have been from walking into a room with no idea, just talking to the other writers, and something comes out of that. But then sometimes, I'll write down an idea I have or a melody I have, and I'll record it in my phone.
You’ve written for other artists as well as yourself. How does your creative approach shift depending on who the song is for?
I always try to write the best song I can write, especially earlier in my writing career before I had a record deal. That was always the goal, and it's still the goal. But then I was writing for whoever believed in the song, best idea, best whatever it was. It didn't have to be necessarily personal to me. I would just write the best song.
Now, being an artist, I definitely use my time and energy writing more toward where I'm at in my life or where I've been. But sometimes even now, when I'm writing something that means something to me, things change, time passes, and I may not be in the same spot I was when I wrote it. So, if another artist believes in it, then that's amazing. But for me, I think, now I'm not going out like trying to write songs for other artists, but I hope other artists realize that from me writing through my experiences, that if anything connects with them, that's always the biggest compliment you can have—when another artist believes in your song enough to record it. And thankfully, I've had a few of my buddies earlier on in my career that made that possible for me.
Favorite song or album you’ve recorded thus far?
You know, that's a tough question. They all have meaning to me in different ways. But I'll probably go with this last one, “Spanish Moss,” just because it wasn't an ideal time frame. It took a little longer than we wanted, but I think I'm most proud of the way I kept going back to the drawing board, knowing it wasn't good enough.
And I think my last album, Stereotype, which is arguably maybe the best album I've ever put out, raised the bar and made me dig deeper and know that I had to put out something great. And I think “Spanish Moss” is that for me.
But honestly, how do you say it's better than [the album] You Should Be Here? Every album has a different meaning. So, I don't know that I could actually pick a favorite.
Let’s talk Scottsdale! You’re here on Jan. 16 headlining Barrett-Jackson’s Rock The Block concert. What are you most looking forward to about being part of such an iconic event?
I love the Scottsdale area. I mean, I could see myself living there someday. I love it, I’m a golfer, and it’s a great place to golf. So, I think just being in the area, but then also I've heard of this Barrett-Jackson event for years and have seen photos. I love the way some of my band, crew, and people are so excited to be around it.
I'm excited to experience it for the first time and see some amazing cars that I probably can't afford and just enjoy the night. This will be my first time. But from what I hear, after seeing it, this won't be my last time going to check it out.
Speaking of being in Scottsdale, you travel so much! What are your tricks to staying healthy?
Hydration. That's pretty key.
You know, being a new dad, I’m not getting the exercise I probably should, so I think whenever you can make time to exercise [you should]. I know any time I've ever been in a good spot, it was because I was taking care of myself and exercising. And it's just crazy how important that is for the mental side of things, and obviously the physical [side, too].
When it comes to a cheat meal, your favorite is …
Feel like I have several of those—but ice cream. I have a sweet tooth, so any kind of dessert. I go through phases. I feel like that's where I don't really want sweets, or I really do. And I think, yeah, my cheat meal, I'm gonna say any dessert they're offering, maybe some crème brûlée.
What can fans look forward to next from you?
I'm going to continue to write songs and put out music. In the world we live in today, it's changed so much so fast that it's okay to put out an album in June and then put out a song a couple months after it, if it's something that you feel led to do. I just experienced that, and it made me proud.
So, I think we're just going to keep writing. I think there's a lot I haven't said about my marriage, being the dad, and just the way Rainey has made me view the world. So, I'm really looking forward to it. I think my fans who have been with me since day one are looking forward to that side of my music. I think the people who know me best know that side of me, but I haven't really had a chance to express that through my music. So, I hope they can look forward to songs that are more about right where I am in my life, not where I've been.
And touring. We've got some really big shows lined up that we haven't announced, and I'm just excited to be back on the road.
And last—one thing even your biggest fans would be surprised to learn about you?
Just recently, I haven't been into this since I was a kid, but trading cards. Mostly sports, obviously, just baseball, number one, football, basketball, whatever it may be, even NASCAR.
I've started kind of collecting cards and not really sure what for, but it's the only thing I've done, and it connects me to my childhood and just stuff that I enjoy. I think people know I'm a big sports fan, but I didn't even know that I was into the sports cards thing. So, that's kind of a new hobby.
Well, probably nobody knows about that because it hasn't been going on that long, but you know, we'll see where that goes. Who knows?
Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, holds its Scottsdale auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale from Jan. 1-25. The world-class automotive lifestyle event showcases thousands of the world’s most sought-after, unique, and valuable automobiles, both on display and crossing the auction block. The event also includes thrill rides, shopping, dining, and more—including the Rock The Block concert. Barrett-Jackson.com