All I've ever wanted is a nice truck, and that's what I got.
Cole Swindell
I always say, 'If it looks good on a T-shirt, it would probably be a pretty cool title or cool song.'
Diamond Resorts delivers world-class events and high-caliber hospitality; I look forward to representing Diamond and performing in the 2017 Diamond Resorts Concert Series to help make vacations unforgettable for their members.
When I left college, it broke my mom's heart, but I knew I had to be in Nashville. I knew that was the place you had to be in to become a better songwriter, and that's what I wanted to move there for and to ultimately get a record deal.
My dad always believed in me. He was always kind of, 'All right, buddy, if that's what you want to do...' My mom was always more of a realist.
The fans are always wanting new music, and with as much as I love to write, I might as well give them the music while I've got it.
If I start putting too much pressure on myself, that's something my mama is there to help with.
Country's more than about what the music sounds like. It's what you're saying and who you are as a person.
I'm not the only one who has ever lost somebody; I'm not the only one who was missing somebody. That's what I love about country music, that's what I love about songwriters, is being able to put out those words, those feelings.
The older I get, the more special time with family gets.
This album means a lot to me, and partnering with Cracker Barrel to have it in their stores is very exciting. I am a big fan of the brand, so it was a natural fit to team up with them to have 'You Should Be Here' in its stores nationwide.
That's where it all started for me, in clubs and bars, and I don't ever wanna outgrow that.
I know how music makes me feel; I know how it affects my life.
Every single day I wrote a song, I was hoping somebody like Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean or whoever would record the song. It's tough to do because there are so many great songwriters in Nashville, and I was lucky enough to get some songs recorded before I got my record deal.
I'm never the best singer in the world.
I remember this song by Clay Walker that came out in the '90s called 'This Woman and This Man,' and it was about breaking up, loss, the pain of moving on, and my parents were just getting divorced at the time, so I listened to it over and over again.
Being a big Braves fan, Turner Field would be cool to play a show at.
Me and Luke are fraternity brothers. Luke Bryan was already in Nashville when I got to college. He had come back to his old fraternity house, which was my new fraternity house. We met there and just kinda stayed in touch.
I was a business major, but the more I played music and the more I got into songwriting, I realized this is what I loved, but I kept asking myself, 'Is this what I'm supposed to do - move to Nashville?'
I am so happy to be able to do what I love. To have the songs I've written for other artists go No. 1 and my songs go to No. 1 has been amazing.
I'm not very patient.
I wanted to get better at writing, so I knew I needed to move to Nashville.
'You Should Be Here' came from a real place. I lost my father... it was right when I was getting my record deal. There's just been so many moments that he hasn't been here for. It's kind of the reason I wrote the song.
Life ain't about just 'Chillin' It.' I've learned that.
I like the songs that are fun, that aren't gonna change the world - I've some of those - but even something like, 'You Should Be Here,' that was my chance to say, 'Look, this is me, too. I'm just a normal person.'
I always say I broke my mom's heart when I left. I don't know if that's what any mom wants for her kid, just thinking about how hard it is trying to make it in this business.
I started to sing after high school, and I may have dreamed about being Randy Travis a time or two.
Even though I lost my dad in just a tragic, sudden way, there are so many more stories that are so much worse.
I'm getting to do, like, 11 stadium shows with Kenny Chesney... seriously - that's bucket list.
Georgia Southern was such a big part of me getting my start.
My first album, I had to write everything. Nobody was going to send me stuff just because I had a little success.
I try to live every day and realize that there are so many folks working hard to try to get to where I am and how fortunate that I am.
I wanna have the coolest merch.
I've been able to experience so many things since I've had my record deal.
Sometimes I get all the credit, and it makes me feel bad because I'm not the only one out here sacrificing everything. There are people out here on the road with me with kids and families, and they're out here busting their backs for me.
When you find what you love, and you find people that will support you, you're living the dream whatever you do.
I'm blessed to have the platform I have, and I'm going to spread the word. There's a lot of great causes, but I don't know anything that hits you harder than a child being sick. It's not fair; they don't deserve it. I'm ready to know what I can do to help.
The fact that I have the chance to learn from the names I've been on tour with, I don't think you can ask for any more than that.
It matters if people believe you or not.
We need to take care of people that are out there busting their butts trying to make it; that's what everyone's done for me.
I want people to know that I am having fun. That's the biggest compliment I can get is when people tell me I'm having a blast out there - if they only knew. I'm having the time of my life every night.
It's just crazy to have a dream - have a plan - and then it all just kind of comes true. To me, that proves that you have to have a vision first.
We titled it, 'You Should Be Here,' for one, because just how special that song is, and I think it kind of sets the tone for this album. I've established that I like to have fun, but this is a little more than that - this album has got some fun stuff, but it's also got topics that I haven't gotten a chance to touch, and I'm so excited about it.
'You Should Be Here' set the tone that, 'Alright everybody, I want you to listen to this album.
I like my buddies to come out to shows on weekends, but they hardly ever get to any.
You don't have a voice yet when you first come out. So even though I knew I had some deeper songs, my first album had to be about the tempo and the fun.
Whenever it was spring break, someone would always have a guitar down at the beach, and they'd play a random song, and I'd sing. Eventually, hearing compliments from people saying I sounded pretty good stuck with me.
Before I ever had my record deal, I just had a publishing deal over at Sony ATV. I had that title, 'Flatliner,' and just the idea of a girl stopping everybody's heart - just kind of a fun idea.
I'm a Georgia Southern boy.
Whether it's a show or an interview, the way I look at it is that one day people might not want to interview me. So I want to enjoy this ride while I can.
