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Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell
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Key Information

Colden Rainey Swindell (born June 30, 1983) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has written singles for Craig Campbell, Thomas Rhett, Scotty McCreery, and Luke Bryan, and has released four albums for Warner Bros. Records Nashville. He has released thirteen singles, eight of which have reached number one on the Hot Country Songs and/or Country Airplay charts. Five more singles have reached the Top 10. Swindell is known for hits such as “Chillin’ It,” “You Should Be Here,” “Flatliner,” “Never Say Never,” and “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.”

Early life

[edit]

Swindell was born in Glennville, Georgia on June 30, 1983, to William Keith Swindell and Betty Carol Rainey. He grew up in Dawson, Georgia, and has two brothers and a stepbrother.[2]

Swindell attended Terrell Academy in Dawson.[3] Swindell attended Georgia Southern University, where he majored in marketing.[4] He met Luke Bryan, who attended the same university some years earlier and was also a fellow Sigma Chi member,[5] at the fraternity house when Bryan came back to Statesboro to do a show. They kept in touch, and after Swindell left college in 2007 and moved to Nashville, he sold merchandise for Bryan for three years, and wrote songs on the road.[6]

Music career

[edit]

Songwriting

[edit]

In 2010, Swindell signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Swindell wrote Craig Campbell's "Outta My Head",[7] Luke Bryan's "Just a Sip", "Beer in the Headlights", "Roller Coaster", "Out Like That", "I'm Hungover", "In Love with the Girl", Florida Georgia Line’s "This Is How We Roll" with Bryan, who was featured on the song. Chris Young also had a song on his A.M. album co-written by Swindell, "Nothin' but the Cooler Left"

2013–2015: Cole Swindell

[edit]

In 2013, Swindell's independently released debut single "Chillin' It", buoyed by heavy airplay on SiriusXM satellite radio channel "The Highway", became a hit[1] and Swindell signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville. The demo of "Chillin' It" was sent to radio before it had been mastered.[8]

Swindell released his self-titled debut album on February 18, 2014.[9] Luke Bryan's guitarist, Michael Carter, produced the rest of the album. Along with Lee Brice, Swindell opened Bryan's 2014 That's My Kind of Night Tour.[10] "Chillin' It" became a top-five hit on Country Airplay and number 1 single on Hot Country Songs. The album's second single is "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight", which Swindell and Carter co-wrote with both members of Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. The album's third single, "Ain't Worth the Whiskey", was released to country radio on November 3, 2014. It reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in April 2015. The album's fourth single, "Let Me See Ya Girl", was released to country radio on April 20, 2015. It reached number two on the Country Airplay chart in November 2015.

On November 17, 2014, Swindell released a five-song digital EP, The Down Home Sessions. The release coincided with his headlining tour of the same name.[11]

Swindell won the ACM New Artist of the Year Award in April 2015.[12]

2015–2018: You Should Be Here

[edit]

The album's first single, "You Should Be Here" was released to country radio on December 14, 2015. It was written with Ashley Gorley. It reached at number one on the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts in April 2016. The album's second single, "Middle of a Memory" released to country radio on May 2, 2016. It reached at number one on the Country Airplay in November 2016. The album's third single, "Flatliner" (featuring Dierks Bentley) released to country radio on January 23, 2017. It reached at number two on the Country Airplay in August 2017. The album's fourth single, "Stay Downtown" released to country radio on September 5, 2017. "You Should Be Here", "Middle of a Memory" and "Flatliner" all hit No.1 on Mediabase country radio singles chart.[13]

Swindell also released a music video for the song which featured a video of him telling his father he received a record contract and subsequent montages of Cole and his brothers grieving outside of the family home and at their father's grave. The video also shows images of Swindell's rising popularity while clearly conveying that he wanted to be able to see his father and share this fame experience with him.[14]

2018–2024: All of It and Stereotype

[edit]

Swindell released "Break Up in the End", the lead single from his third album, on February 23, 2018.[15] Swindell's third album, All of It, was released on August 17, 2018.[16] After the album became available for pre-order in July 2018, Swindell released the number-one track "Love You Too Late" as a promotional single.[17] "Love You Too Late" was announced as the album's official second single, being released to radio on November 19, 2018.[18]

The lead single from Swindell's fourth studio album, "Single Saturday Night", was released on May 22, 2020.[19] It was followed by "Never Say Never", a duet with Lainey Wilson, on November 19, 2021.[20] Swindell released his fourth album Stereotype on April 8, 2022.[21] Swindell followed the album up with its third single, "She Had Me at Heads Carolina", a remake of Jo Dee Messina's 1996 single "Heads Carolina, Tails California". This single has gone on to become the biggest single of Swindell's career so far, having spent four weeks at number one on the Country Airplay chart, as well as becoming his first Top 20 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified three-times Platinum by RIAA.

2025–present: Spanish Moss

[edit]

On March 25, 2025, Swindell announced his fifth album Spanish Moss. It was released on June 27, 2025. The title track was released on March 28, 2025.[22] On September 26, 2025, Swindell released "Make Heaven Crowded", a song inspired by the assassination of Charlie Kirk.[23]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2019, Swindell was confirmed to be dating professional wrestler and model Barbie Blank, best known for her time in WWE under the ring name "Kelly Kelly". The couple broke up three months after making their first public appearance at that year's Academy of Country Music Awards.[24][25]

In 2024, Swindell married Courtney Little, a former member of the Charlotte Honey Bees.[26][27] On March 3, 2025, the couple announced that they are expecting their first child.[28] On August 7, 2025, their daughter was born.[29]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

  • Reason to Drink Tour (2018)[30]
  • The Down to Earth Tour (2020)[31]
  • Happy Hour Sad Tour (2025)

Supporting

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Category Recipient/Work Result Ref
2014 CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year "Chillin’ It" Nominated [32]
2015 Academy of Country Music Awards New Artist of the Year Cole Swindell Won [33]
2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Artist Nominated [34]
2016 Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Nominated [35]
2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards Country Song of the Year "You Should Be Here" Nominated [36]
Best Lyrics Nominated
CMT Music Awards Video of the Year "Middle of a Memory" Nominated [37]
2019 CMT Music Awards Male Video of the Year "Break Up in the End" Nominated [38]
2019 Grammy Awards Best Country Song "Break Up in the End" Nominated [39]
2019 Academy of Country Music Awards Song of the Year "Break Up in the End" Nominated [40]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Cole Swindell (born Colden Rainey Swindell; June 30, 1983) is an American music singer and songwriter recognized for his contributions to contemporary and country-pop genres. Born in , and raised in the small town of Dawson, Swindell developed an interest in music during his college years at , where he majored in , after playing in high school. After moving to Nashville in 2007, he initially built his career as a songwriter, co-writing successful singles such as "Get Her Back" for , "1994" for , and "Roller Coaster" for . Swindell signed with Warner Bros. Records Nashville and released his self-titled debut album in 2014, which included the number-one hits "Chillin' It" and "Let It Rain." Subsequent albums—You Should Be Here (2016), All of It (2018), (2022), and (2025)—have produced additional chart-toppers like "You Should Be Here," "Single Saturday Night," "Never Say Never," and "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," bringing his total to 13 number-one singles as a recording artist. Throughout his career, Swindell has toured extensively as both a headliner and an opener for major acts including , , and , solidifying his status as a prominent figure in modern . His songwriting extends to 14 number-one hits overall, including three for other artists, and he has earned accolades such as the Award for New Artist of the Year in 2015.

Early life

Family background

Colden Rainey Swindell, professionally known as Cole Swindell, was born on June 30, 1983, in , a small town in the state's region. Although some accounts mention early family ties to other locations, his birth and formative years were rooted in Georgia, with no verified connection to , as a birthplace or primary relocation site. Swindell grew up in the rural community of , alongside his parents, William Keith Swindell and Betty Carol Rainey, who divorced when he was young, on the family's farm situated in the heart of Vidalia onion country. This agricultural setting shaped his early life, immersing him in the traditions and rhythms of Southern farm living in a region renowned for its s, a staple of Georgia's economy. He was the youngest of three brothers, with two older siblings and a stepbrother, fostering a close-knit household environment typical of small-town Southern families. From a young age, Swindell was exposed to through everyday family activities, such as singing along to radio tunes during car rides with his mother, which highlighted the genre's presence in their home. Swindell's experienced a profound loss later in his adulthood when his father, William Keith Swindell, died unexpectedly on September 2, 2013, at age 65, in a tragic involving a . This event, occurring well after his childhood, underscored the enduring impact of bonds formed during his rural upbringing in Bronwood.

Education

Swindell attended Terrell , a private high school in , where he graduated as part of a small class of about 60 students. During his time there, he participated in various sports but showed no early signs of pursuing professionally. After high school, Swindell enrolled at in , where he studied marketing. He did not complete his degree, leaving the university in 2007 to pursue opportunities in Nashville. At Georgia Southern, Swindell joined the fraternity, through which he connected with fellow member and alumnus , who had attended the school several years earlier. This fraternity involvement introduced him to performing, as he began singing covers at parties and events on campus after Bryan visited and performed at a Sigma Chi gathering around 2005. During his college years from approximately 2004 to 2006, Swindell experimented with music by writing his first original songs and honing his skills through casual performances. These early efforts, often shared in fraternity house settings, marked the beginning of his shift from academics toward a music-focused path, influenced in part by the country music exposure from his family's farm background in rural Georgia.

Music career

Songwriting beginnings

After leaving in 2007 with a few credits short of his degree, Swindell moved to Nashville on August 23 to pursue a career in country music, drawing on songwriting he had begun during his years at parties. To support himself, Swindell took a job as Luke Bryan's merchandise manager, traveling on tour with the artist from 2007 to 2010 and using the opportunity to network within the industry while continuing to hone his songwriting skills in his spare time. In 2010, Swindell signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, shifting his focus to writing songs for other artists and recording early demos, including a rough version of "Chillin' It" that featured only his vocals and basic instrumentation. Through this deal, Swindell co-wrote several hits for other performers, including "" for , which topped the chart in 2013, and "Get Me Some of That" for , a No. 1 hit in 2014. His songwriting often reflected emotional themes inspired by his father's influence, as seen in the heartfelt narratives he crafted for others during this period. This phase culminated in 2016 when Swindell received the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Songwriter/Artist of the Year award, recognizing his contributions as a writer before his rise as a recording artist.

2013–2015: Debut album

Swindell signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in July 2013, marking his transition from songwriter to recording artist after building buzz with his independently released demo of "Chillin' It," which had already sold over 100,000 copies. The track, co-written by Swindell and Shane Minor, was issued as his debut single to country radio on July 15, 2013, and became his first No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in February 2014, also peaking at No. 2 on the Hot Country Songs chart. This success, bolstered by his prior songwriting credits for artists like Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line, propelled him into the spotlight as a performer. His self-titled debut album, Cole Swindell, was released on February 18, 2014, and produced by Michael Carter—Luke Bryan's guitarist—and Jody Stevens. Featuring 12 tracks largely co-written by Swindell, including uptempo party anthems like "Hey Y'all" and "Swayin'," the album showcased his blend of contemporary and personal , with highlights such as the introspective "Ain't Worth the Whiskey." It debuted at No. 3 on the with over 63,000 copies sold in its first week and topped the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, certifying platinum by the RIAA later that year. The album spawned additional singles that extended its chart dominance, including "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight," co-written with 's and , which reached No. 1 on in October 2014. Follow-up "Let Me See Ya Girl" peaked at No. 1 on in November 2015, solidifying Swindell's radio presence with four consecutive No. 1 hits from the project. During this period, he gained live experience opening for on the 2013 Dirt Road Diaries Tour and sharing stages with , honing his stage presence before larger audiences. In recognition of his breakout year, Swindell won the Academy of Country Music Award for New Artist of the Year in April 2015, beating nominees Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett.

2015–2018: You Should Be Here

Following the success of his debut album, Cole Swindell released his second studio album, You Should Be Here, on May 6, 2016, via Warner Bros. Nashville. The project, produced by Buddy Cannon and Scott Hendricks, debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart, with 75,500 equivalent album units in its first week (including 65,000 pure sales). The album featured 12 tracks that showcased Swindell's evolution as a songwriter, blending uptempo country rock with introspective ballads, and marked a significant step in his rising prominence within the genre. The lead single, "You Should Be Here," was released to on December 14, 2015, and quickly ascended to number 1 on the chart in early 2016, holding the position for multiple weeks. Co-written by Swindell and , the song was inspired by the unexpected death of Swindell's father in 2013, capturing themes of grief and absence during joyful moments; it has been certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA. Subsequent singles from the album included "Middle of a Memory," which reached number 1 on the chart in January 2017, exploring the lingering pain of a breakup through vivid, emotional imagery. "Flatliner," a duet with released in January 2017, peaked at number 5 on the chart, blending high-energy instrumentation with lyrics about an intoxicating romance. In 2017, Swindell expanded his live presence by joining as a supporting act on the Home Team Tour, performing across multiple U.S. cities and connecting with fans through high-energy sets that highlighted tracks from You Should Be Here. This touring schedule, combined with extensive radio airplay—particularly for the album's singles, which collectively amassed billions of audience impressions—helped solidify his growing fanbase and established him as a consistent radio mainstay. Critics praised You Should Be Here for its shift toward more personal and vulnerable lyrics compared to Swindell's debut, noting the title track's raw emotional depth as a standout that elevated the album's authenticity. Rolling Stone described it as Swindell's "A-list claim," commending the balance of heartfelt ballads like the title song with radio-friendly anthems, while AllMusic highlighted the record's polished production and Swindell's improved vocal delivery in conveying intimate stories of loss and love. The album's reception underscored Swindell's maturation, earning a 3.5-out-of-5 rating from AllMusic for its blend of commercial appeal and genuine sentiment.

2018–2022: All of It

Swindell's third studio , All of It, was released on August 17, 2018, through Warner Bros. Records Nashville. The project debuted at No. 1 on the chart and No. 7 on the all-genre , marking his first chart-topping effort on the country albums tally. Produced by Michael Carter, the features 12 tracks that blend upbeat party anthems with introspective ballads, reflecting Swindell's maturation as an artist. The album's lead single, "Break Up in the End," became Swindell's eighth No. 1 on the chart in October 2018, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song in 2019. Follow-up single "Love You Too Late" followed suit, topping the chart in October 2019 and securing his ninth career No. 1 as a performer. Another track, "Dad's Old Number," was released as a live version in June 2019, capturing a heartfelt to familial bonds amid the album's exploration of relationships and personal reflection. These releases highlighted the album's thematic depth, delving into the nuances of love's highs and lows without shying away from regret and redemption. Swindell headlined the Reason to Drink Tour from February 2018 through December, expanding it into a co-headlining run with and for fall dates across 25 cities. The tour showcased high-energy performances of All of It material, solidifying his live draw with sold-out arenas. However, the onset of the disrupted 2020 plans, leading to the rescheduling of his Down to Earth Tour dates. In response, Swindell adapted with virtual concerts, including a September 2020 Fireplay livestream that simulated a live crowd experience for fans during lockdowns. Songwriting played a central role in All of It, with Swindell co-penning five tracks alongside collaborators like , , and Jon Nite. The album's overarching theme captures life's complexities—celebrating small joys while confronting emotional turmoil in relationships and self-growth. By 2020, these efforts contributed to Swindell's milestone of eight No. 1 singles as a songwriter, underscoring his dual prowess in the studio and behind the scenes.

2022–2025: Stereotype and Spanish Moss

In 2022, Cole Swindell released his fourth studio album, , on April 8 via Warner Music Nashville. The project debuted at No. 6 on the chart. It featured three consecutive No. 1 singles on the chart: "Single Saturday Night," which topped the chart in early 2022; the duet "Never Say Never" with , marking Swindell's 11th career No. 1 later that year; and "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," his 12th No. 1 and fastest-rising single to date, which held the top spot for five weeks in late 2022. The latter track also won ACM Song of the Year in 2023. To support the album, Swindell launched his headlining Back Down to the Bar Tour in February 2022, with dates extending into the fall, featuring openers and Ashley Cooke. In April 2023, Swindell issued a deluxe edition titled Stereotype Broken, adding four new tracks, including the single "Drinkaby." Critics praised the expansion for blending introspective ballads with the album's signature upbeat energy, highlighting its role in showcasing Swindell's evolving songwriting. Swindell announced his fifth studio album, Spanish Moss, on March 25, 2025, with a release date of June 27 via Warner Music Nashville. The 21-track collection drew from his Georgia roots, exploring themes of Southern life through nostalgic imagery like Spanish moss-draped oaks, alongside reflections on family, loss, and resilience. Lead singles included "Forever to Me," which became his 13th No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in early 2025, and "We Can Always Move On," released to radio in May 2025. Reviewers lauded Spanish Moss as an ambitious set that balanced reflective ballads and anthemic tracks, marking a mature evolution in Swindell's catalog. In September 2025, Swindell released the standalone single "Make Heaven Crowded," inspired by an emotional speech from Erika Kirk following the death of her husband, , which resonated deeply with fans and prompted overwhelming responses urging its creation. The track, a heartfelt emphasizing faith and unity, quickly gained traction on streaming charts.

Personal life

Marriage

Swindell has largely kept his early romantic relationships out of the public eye, though he was briefly linked to professional wrestler Barbie Blank in 2019. The country singer began dating Courtney Little, a model, influencer, and former NBA dancer for the Charlotte Hornets, around mid-2021 after initially meeting her several years earlier at a event, where Swindell, a longtime fan, connected with Little through her work with . Their first official date took place on the set of Swindell's "Some Habits" , marking the start of their relationship, which they made public on later that year. On May 7, 2023, Swindell proposed to Little in a personal gesture that came full circle, recreating the setting of their on a gravel drive near his home; he presented her with an oval-cut diamond ring and announced the engagement the following day, just before the 2023 . The couple made their debut as fiancés at the event, where Swindell received multiple nominations. Swindell and Little married on June 12, 2024, in an intimate outdoor ceremony in , attended by close family and a small circle of friends. The pair later hosted a larger surprise reception in Nashville with over 250 guests, including fellow country stars like . Following the marriage, Swindell has described adjusting to married life as a grounding influence, which inspired themes of commitment and enduring love in his music, such as the 2024 single "Forever To Me." The couple's union has also coincided with expansion, as detailed in his overview.

Family

On March 3, 2025, Courtney Little Swindell announced the couple's pregnancy via , captioning a series of photos with "Baby Swindell 2025." The couple welcomed their first child, Rainey Gail Swindell, on August 7, 2025. The name Rainey honors Swindell's as well as his late mother Betty Carol Rainey's maiden name, while Gail pays tribute to heritage. Swindell has described himself as a "softie" and expressed profound upon becoming a girl dad, noting that hearing his daughter's heartbeat during left him lying still for several minutes in awe. He anticipates tearful moments at future milestones, drawing from his brother's emotional experience at his own daughter's wedding. In the lead-up to Rainey's birth, Swindell indicated plans to write "daddy songs" inspired by his new role as a for upcoming releases. Following the birth, Swindell took time to bond with his newborn before resuming professional commitments, launching his 2025 Sad Tour on September 4. He has leaned on a network of friends with young children for advice while balancing tour dates and promotion for his album amid early fatherhood. This family expansion builds on the foundation of his 2024 marriage to Courtney.

Musical style and influences

Musical style

Cole Swindell's music is characterized by a blend of uptempo tracks and heartfelt ballads, reflecting the contemporary country-pop genre he helped define in the . His debut single "Chillin' It" exemplifies the breezy, party-anthem style with its infectious energy and lighthearted lyrics about carefree summer nights, capturing the essence of bro-country's accessible, radio-friendly appeal. In contrast, ballads like "You Should Be Here" showcase a more introspective side, drawing from personal experiences of loss to deliver emotional depth through stripped-back arrangements that highlight vulnerability. His production style adheres to a polished Nashville sound, featuring acoustic guitars, pedal steel, and catchy pop-country hooks that ensure broad commercial viability. Early works emphasize high-energy rhythms and layered instrumentation to drive uptempo songs, while later albums evolve toward more varied textures, including remixes on that incorporate duet elements and subtle electronic flourishes for added dynamism. This approach maintains a clean, professional sheen suited to mainstream , balancing traditional instrumentation with modern production techniques. Lyrically, Swindell's songs revolve around themes of relationships, heartbreak, Southern pride, and personal loss, often employing vivid to connect with listeners on an intimate level. Tracks like "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" illustrate this through narrative-driven tales of romance and , weaving in regional references to evoke a and emotional authenticity. Swindell's vocal delivery features a smooth with considerable emotional range, allowing him to convey both playful exuberance in anthems and raw sentiment in ballads. Often compared to peers for its warm, resonant , his voice adapts seamlessly to the genre's demands, providing a consistent thread across his catalog that enhances the music's relatable and heartfelt quality.

Influences

Swindell's musical influences are deeply rooted in his upbringing in southwestern Georgia, where he grew up in the of Bronwood, surrounded by farmland. This rural environment, combined with exposure to , shaped his appreciation for and traditional sounds in the genre. He has cited artists like for their embodiment of authenticity and for emotional depth in songcraft, influences that resonated during his formative years listening to the era's hits. The loss of his in further informed Swindell's approach to authentic narratives, inspiring songs that reflect personal and small-town life. This experience, alongside his farm upbringing, fostered a focus on relatable, heartfelt country themes drawn from everyday Southern existence. Among contemporary figures, stands out as Swindell's biggest influence, not only for his music and stage presence but also for his mentorship. The two first connected during their college days at through their shared fraternity, where Bryan offered early advice that encouraged Swindell's pursuit of music in Nashville. Swindell later worked as Bryan's merchandise seller for three years, gaining firsthand insight into the industry. Songwriting collaborations have also impacted his style, particularly with , with whom he co-wrote the hit "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" in 2021. This partnership highlighted mutual inspiration in blending nostalgic elements with modern country. Swindell's admiration for Dierks Bentley's collaborative approach evolved his own use of duets, as seen in their 2016 track "Flatliner," which Bentley influenced through his songwriting and performance ethos. Early exposure to Bentley, alongside Bryan and , motivated Swindell to prioritize original songwriting over covers.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
Cole SwindellRelease date: February 18, 2014
Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
Format: CD, digital download
Producer: Michael Carter
US: 3
US Country: 1
US: Platinum
You Should Be HereRelease date: May 6, 2016
Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
Format: CD, digital download
Producer: Michael Carter
US: 6
US Country: 2
US: Gold
All of ItRelease date: August 17, 2018
Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
Format: CD, digital download
Producer: Michael Carter
US: 7
US Country: 1
StereotypeRelease date: April 8, 2022
Label: Warner Records Nashville
Format: CD, digital download
Producers: Zach Crowell, Michael Carter, Chris LaCorte, Jordan Schmidt
US: 48
US Country: 6
US: Gold
Spanish MossRelease date: June 27, 2025
Label: Warner Music Nashville
Format: CD, digital download
Producers: Various (11 contributors)
US Country: 3
Cole Swindell's debut studio album, Cole Swindell, features 12 tracks, with Swindell co-writing 11 of them. It sold 63,000 copies in its first week. His second album, You Should Be Here, features 12 tracks, with Swindell co-writing nine of them. It earned a certification from the RIAA in 2017 for 500,000 units shipped. All of It contains 12 tracks, five of which were co-written by Swindell. The album moved 50,000 equivalent album units in its opening week. The fourth album, , includes 13 tracks, with Swindell as a co-writer on several. It received a certification from the RIAA in 2023. Swindell's fifth studio album, , explores themes of Southern resilience.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
"Chillin' It"20141US: PlatinumCole Swindell
"You Should Be Here"20161US: 3× PlatinumYou Should Be Here
"Middle of a Memory"20161US: PlatinumYou Should Be Here
"Love You Too Late"20191All of It
"Never Say Never" (with )20221US: Platinum
"She Had Me at Heads Carolina"20231US: 3× Platinum
"Forever To Me"20251
"Hope You Get Lonely Tonight"20147US: PlatinumCole Swindell
"Break Up in the End"20196All of It
"Flatliner" (with )20175You Should Be Here
"We Can Always Move On"2025
"Make Heaven Crowded"2025Standalone
Cole Swindell has amassed 13 number-one singles on the chart as of 2025, establishing him as one of the most successful artists in terms of radio dominance. His breakout hit "Chillin' It," released in 2014 as the from his self-titled debut , became his first chart-topper, holding the position for one week. This summery anthem about carefree weekends set the tone for his early career, blending upbeat rhythms with relatable storytelling. Subsequent releases solidified his streak, with "You Should Be Here" topping the chart for three weeks in 2016, reflecting on loss and presence in a poignant that resonated widely on radio. "Middle of a Memory," from his sophomore album, followed as a one-week number one in late 2016, noted for its introspective lyrics about heartbreak's lingering effects. "Love You Too Late" marked his ninth overall number one in 2019, capturing regret in a high-energy track that spent two weeks at the summit. The duet "Never Say Never" with , released in 2022, became a two-week chart-topper and a -certified single, highlighting themes of through its harmonious vocal interplay. "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," a 2023 cover interpolation of Jo Dee Messina's hit, ruled the chart for four weeks and earned triple certification, boosting its crossover appeal. His latest chart-topper, "Forever To Me" from the 2025 album , secured the 13th number one in April 2025, emphasizing commitment in a romantic context. Among his non-number-one singles, "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight" peaked at number seven on in 2014, serving as a fan-favorite track from his debut . Similarly, "Break Up in the End" reached number six in 2019, praised for its emotional depth on post-breakup reflection despite not reaching the top. Swindell's collaborative efforts include the 2017 duet "Flatliner" with , which peaked at number five on and brought a raw, high-octane energy to his catalog through their vocal chemistry. In 2025, Swindell added "We Can Always Move On" to country radio in May as the follow-up to "Forever To Me," charting modestly while previewing themes of resilience from . Later that year, he released the standalone single "Make Heaven Crowded" in September, a faith-inspired track co-written amid personal reflection, which quickly gained traction for its uplifting message without immediate chart dominance.

Tours

Headlining tours

Cole Swindell's first headlining tour, the Reason to Drink Tour, launched on February 15, 2018, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, marking his inaugural run as a lead act with over 50 dates across its winter and fall legs. The tour supported singles from his album All of It, including "Stay Downtown" and "Love You Too Late," and featured opening acts such as Chris Janson, Lauren Alaina, and later Dustin Lynch for the extended "Reason to Drink...Another" portion from October to December 2018, which added 25 cities like Richmond, Phoenix, and New Orleans. Setlists typically opened with high-energy tracks like "Let Me See Ya Girl" and "Middle of a Memory," incorporating tour title song "Reason to Drink" alongside staples such as "You Should Be Here" and "Ain't Worth the Whiskey," with encores often featuring "Chillin' It." The tour achieved commercial success, including sold-out opening weekend shows at venues like Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Down to Earth Tour followed in 2020, announced in November 2019 and originally scheduled to begin on March 5 in , with special guests HARDY and Trea Landon across approximately 20 dates. However, the tour was abbreviated due to the , with remaining shows postponed to fall 2020 after only a few initial performances. Setlists emphasized introspective tracks like "Down to Earth" from his Down Home Sessions IV EP, blended with hits including "20 in a Chevy," "Break Up in the End," and "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight," reflecting a grounded thematic focus. Despite the disruptions, the tour underscored Swindell's adaptability during a challenging period for live music. In 2022, Swindell mounted the Back Down to the Bar Tour, a 30-date run promoting his album Stereotype, starting on September 23 at Floore's Country Store in , with openers Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe. The tour visited arenas and amphitheaters in cities including Tulsa, Birmingham, , and Orlando, culminating on November 19, and built on a spring precursor leg from earlier that year. Representative setlists highlighted barroom anthems like "Down to the Bar" and "Single Saturday Night," alongside crowd favorites "Chillin' It," "Love You Too Late," and "Stereotype," often closing with medleys such as "Iris / Middle of a Memory." By this point, Swindell's headlining efforts had scaled to sold-out arenas, demonstrating growing demand with multiple venues reaching capacity, including . In fall 2023, Swindell launched the Twelve Tour, a 12-date headlining run starting October 12 in , featuring special guests Nate Smith, , Avery Anna, and opening act Tucker Wetmore on select dates. The tour included stops in Fort Wayne, , and , where it concluded on November 4, with setlists showcasing hits like "Flatliner," "How Is She," and "Single Saturday Night" alongside tracks from . Swindell's 2024 headlining effort, the Win The Night Tour, kicked off on May 25 in , and ran through the summer across amphitheaters and arenas, with as direct support and rotating openers including Jon Langston, Lily Rose, Mackenzie Carpenter, , and . The tour featured sold-out shows and emphasized high-energy performances of singles like "Never Say Never" and "She Had Me at Heads Carolina." Swindell's most recent headlining outing, the Happy Hour Sad Tour, commenced on September 4, 2025, in Toledo, Ohio, produced by Pepper Entertainment and spanning over 40 dates in support of his album Spanish Moss. Special guests included Priscilla Block as direct support, with Logan Crosby and Greylan James rotating on select dates, as the tour visited arenas like Rupp Arena in Lexington and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Early setlists from the opening show featured emotive selections like "Bottom of It," "Happy Hour Sad," and "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," mixed with enduring hits "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight," "Stereotype," and "Break Up in the End," capturing the tour's blend of joy and melancholy. The production emphasized Swindell's evolution as a headliner, with strong initial ticket sales continuing his trend of arena-level success.

Supporting tours

Swindell's early career was marked by opening slots on tours by established stars, providing crucial exposure to larger audiences and helping transition him from songwriting and merchandise sales to performing. In 2013, he joined Luke Bryan's Dirt Road Diaries Tour as a special guest, marking one of his first major opening opportunities. This was followed by appearances on Bryan's 2014 Farm Tour, where Swindell performed alongside acts like and . By 2015, he continued supporting Bryan on the Tour, sharing bills with on rescheduled and added dates, which allowed him to showcase material from his debut album to enthusiastic crowds. These gigs built directly on Swindell's prior role selling Bryan's merchandise, evolving his presence from backstage to onstage and fostering a that boosted his visibility in the industry. In 2014, Swindell expanded his supporting roles by opening for on multiple arena and festival dates, including shows alongside and . This exposure came amid his rising profile as a recording artist, with "Chillin' It" gaining traction at radio. Later that decade, in , he served as an opener for 's Home Team Tour, performing in mid-sized venues and connecting with fans through shared bills that highlighted his up-and-coming status. Swindell's supporting tours continued into the late 2010s, including dates on Kenny Chesney's 2018 Trip Around the Sun Tour, where he performed in stadium settings alongside and Old Dominion on select stops. In 2019, he opened for on the Ride All Night Tour, joining for high-energy sets in arenas like Penn State's , which helped promote his album All of It. By 2020, amid disruptions, Swindell incorporated co-headlining elements with on limited dates, drawing on their prior collaboration on the duet "Flatliner" to blend solo and joint performances. In 2023, Swindell supported Thomas Rhett on select dates of the Home Team US Tour, performing alongside Riley Green and enhancing promotion for his Stereotype album tracks. These supporting roles were instrumental in Swindell's growth, offering progressive stage time that honed his live show and led to his first headlining tours in 2018; for instance, his evolution from Bryan's merch table to opener exemplified how such opportunities amplified his fanbase and chart success. More recently, in 2023 and 2024, Swindell made guest appearances on Lainey Wilson's Country's Cool Again Tour to promote their duet "Never Say Never," performing the track together and capitalizing on its No. 1 status to cross-pollinate audiences.

Awards and nominations

Awards won

Cole Swindell received the (ACM) for New Artist of the Year in 2015, recognizing his breakthrough as a debut artist with hits like "Chillin' It." In 2016, he was honored with the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Songwriter/Artist of the Year , highlighting his dual role as a performer and songwriter behind tracks such as "Middle of a Memory." Swindell's 2023 single "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" propelled him to multiple accolades, including the ACM Song of the Year (as artist), Song of the Year (as songwriter), and Single Record of the Year, marking his first wins in these categories and his first multi-award night at the ACMs. The track also earned him the Music Award for Country Song of the Year, underscoring its widespread popularity and fan engagement. Additionally, Swindell ranked as Billboard's No. 10 Top Artist of 2023, reflecting the year's commercial success driven by the multi-platinum single. The song "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" achieved 3x Platinum certification from the RIAA, signifying over three million units sold or streamed in the U.S.

Nominations

Cole Swindell received a for New Artist of the Year at the 2014 CMA Awards, where he competed against established rising talents but did not take home the award. His duet "Never Say Never" with earned a for Single of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards, highlighting the track's commercial success and collaborative appeal, though it ultimately lost to another entry. At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, Swindell was nominated in the Male Video of the Year category for "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," recognizing the song's visually engaging and its role in revitalizing his chart presence, but the award went to another artist. Swindell has garnered multiple nominations from the over the years, including a nod for Best New Artist in , where he stood alongside pop and country newcomers like and without securing the win. Additional iHeartRadio nominations include Country Song of the Year for "You Should Be Here" in 2017.

References

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