Today's Country
...tomorrow's country...TODAY!
Cole Interview
Cole grew up listening to rock-n-roll from the likes of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, etc… and although he did live in “Music City” for some time, it has been Las Vegas that has really propelled Cole and his career in the positive direction. With his new, “self-titled” album out now, we had a chance to catch up with him and talk about the album, Vegas, playing Graceland, his 9th consecutive year playing at the Rockabilly Fest, and more.
1. Your self-titled album is out now. For people that have never heard your music, what can they expect to hear when they hit play?
The latest album shows more of my Rock n Roll side.. a bit more funkier and edgier than my previous releases. Definitely Nashville meets Las Vegas.
2. In comparison to your previous releases, what similarities and what differences will your long time fans find on your self-titled album?
With this release, the fans get to hear all of my musical influences, instead of just a part of them, as if mixed up in a blender and poured out on to disc.
As all true artists do, I find my self evolving at all times. Re-shaping the output of my influences. In doing so, you sometimes lose old fans that might not dig the new direction, or be able to relate to it. A great example is Bob Dylan who definitely dealt with this when he switched over from acoustic folk artist to electric rock star back in the 60's... so though a few fans may drop to the wayside, you find yourself picking up even more new fans in the process. We're all transforming as we grow along life's pathways. I can't help but to show these changes through my music. On ce an artist stops evolving they are dead.
This latest project has been the most commercially accepted release of mine yet.
3. Which one song from the album is your personal favorite and why?
"Where My Rainbow Ends" has been the most successful tune off the album. Especially overseas. But does that necessarily make it my favorite too? As a writer its hard to pick a favorite child from your litter, for they usually all mean something special for one reason or another.
4. What does your live show offer someone that just spinning your album doesn’t?
My live show mixes the best of my own recordings and also my versions of classic tunes by other artists. I feel that I shine brightest on stage... high energy... hard to sometimes capture on a studio recording. Though this current release definitely has drive!
5. You recently were asked by Graceland to play a show across from the mansion. With Elvis being such a big influence for you, what did that mean to you and how was that show different than others you’ve played?
It was definitely an honor. I cut my teeth on listening to Presley's music, and for like so many of us, he was a huge influence on me. It really is great how Elvis still brings people together today. The greatest part of his legacy is just that. His tremendous ability to have been able to truly connect with people, and people to connect with each other through him. No matter where I go in this world, most everyone lights up whenever I pull an Elvis song out of the hat.
6. You also just recently played for the 9th consecutive year at Rockabilly Fest. Can you tell people who may not know about this festival what it is all about?
The festival takes place in Jackson TN, a city with grand ties to the birth of Rockabilly. The home of the late great father of Rockabilly, Carl Perkins, and also to legendary Rockabilly drummer WS Holland. Each year, the festival brings in many of the important names in the history of Rockabilly... The Johnny Cash band, Sonny Burgess, Jack Scott, Marty Stuart, Brenda Lee, The Jordanaires, Wanda Jackson, just to name a few that have graced the stage there over the years. I'm honored that they invite me back year after year. And most honored to have been inducted as their youngest artist ever, into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2006.
7. What is it about that particular festival that keeps you coming back year after year?
I owe a lot to the music that was such a big influence on me early on. Though many of us develop into a more current commercial market, its still the Rockabilly sound that drives our souls, and such an important strong root in our musics family tree.
8. You spent time in Nashville. What did living in the thick of it all offer to you that living anywhere else would not have?
I liked Nashville, but it wasn't all that it use to be. Much focus has been taken away from what Nashville is known for worldwide, "Country Music". For some reason Nashville seems to continually try to be something else besides "Music City USA"... instead of strongly embracing and investing into its legacy. CMT is now run out New York, Opryland has been gone for years, Music Row is no longer the heartbeat of the city... It's sad really. Now many great songs still come from there though, and you'll be hard pressed to find better musicians anywhere else. I would love to see Nashville make a comeback through it's musical heritage.
9. From there you hit Las Vegas. An interesting decision for an artist steeped in rockabilly and country influences. Why Las Vegas, and what have you been able to accomplish by being immersed in that scene that you weren’t able to in Nashville?
I never in a million years thought I'd be in Las Vegas. To make a long story short... my buddies "The Jordanaires" invited me out here, and while visiting I ended up getting booked as a regular performer on a local TV show. And from there... just more musical opportunities than Nashville was able to offer. So the Jordanaires got to go home to Nashville, and I got stuck here! But it's kinda grown on me. There's actually an original music scene starting to really take form here.
10. What piece of advice can you offer someone that is looking to break into the music industry?
No matter what, be true to yourself. I tried the whole "cookie-cutter" process, and until I found my own voice and stuck to my own musical choices, I was really going no where. Financial success is a wonderful thing, but to truly be happy, and lasting, you have to keep it real. Actually feel each word in the songs you sing, and come off believable to your audience. Strive to make your own mark.
Follow the paths of those that came before you just long enough to develop as an artist, and then before its too late, jump off that nicely paved course and blaze your own trail.
