Get To Know Rising Artist Cole Taylor

Hailing from Georgia, country newcomer Cole Taylor has quickly become an in-demand country songwriter for a multitude of country artists like Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell. Having had a hand in co-writing #1 hits for FGL ["Sippin' On Fire"] and  Luke Bryan ["Home Alone Tonight,"] Taylor is now ready to step into the spotlight as an artist himself.  His latest single, "Cold Beer," is currently winning over listeners on Sirius XM's On The Horizon program with its infectious groove and relatable story. Recently, Taylor took the time to talk about his roots, the single, and more. 

You began writing when you were around fourteen years old, so was music something that you always wanted to pursue?
Yes, it was. I started singing in church when I was twelve and began playing guitar in high school.  Once I played guitar well enough I put melody with lyrics and in college started playing in bars and building a fan base. I knew that I loved songwriting and performing and decided to move to Nashville - and here I am today.

In 2013, you moved to Nashville where, in under a year, you acquired a publishing deal and became an in-demand songwriter.
 When I moved to Nashville, I had already known Cole Swindell and Greg Hill, who is now my manager.  Cole gave me a lot of advice about where to go and who to connect with and Greg really encouraged me to write. So, I took the time and about three months later, I went back to Greg with songs I had written. He and I met with a lot of people and I was ultimately signed by Universal.  Early on, I found my champion at UMPG in Ron Stuve who got me into rooms where I was able to write with good people and songs like “Sippin On Fire” and “Home Alone Tonight” were born. It’s all been such a blessing. I know so many people come to town and nothing happens for them for ten or fifteen years, so I count my lucky stars every day I get to do this for a living and have had some success early on.

The songs you mentioned both went to #1 and you have songs on hold by other well-known artists. What do you think draws artists like FGL and Luke Bryan to your songs?
I think it starts with an undeniable melody. Growing up, I fell in love with the music of Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, and Alan Jackson. They had songs with nice melodies and simple lyrics that were easy to digest – and that’s what I do with my songs. I try to write songs with simple lyrics that people will hear and relate to.

But,  in addition to those country artists, I also listened to Master P and Usher and what I really enjoy doing is putting a R&B melody in a country song. It’s funny because when people ask me to describe my music I tell them it’s the sound of a burnt cd because when I was growing up you could have anything you wanted on one cd - and that’s what my music is, it’s a bunch of different genres, not just one.

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Speaking of your music, you have put out two EPS and have just released a new single, “Cold Beer.” Was being an artist in your own right always a goal?
I think it was, but I also believe that it is supposed to happen when it’s supposed to happen – and I think that time is now. The EPs were fun to do; they gave us some recognition as did touring with Cole and Chase [Rice}, but now with “Cold Beer,” I feel like it’s the song. Cole told me once that I would know when the right song comes along and I really feel that “Cold Beer,” which has been going over incredibly well during the live show, is the one. I want to be that guy whose songs everyone knows, but I want the moment to be right for it to happen. And now, I feel that we’re ready.

“Cold Beer” blends R&B and Country sounds into a really infectious groove. What is the story behind the song?
I wrote the song with Josh Kerr and Jordan Minton. Jordan came in with the line “She’s a little more red wine, I’m a little more cold beer” and it immediately it clicked with me. We wrote the song, which is an opposite attracts story between a country boy and a city girl, pretty quickly. That’s something that rarely happens, but when it does, it’s awesome.

In addition to being on Spotify, the song can also be heard on Sirius XM’s On The Horizon, a station which has had a hand in breaking many an artist.
The song was doing well on Spotify, YouTube, and the iTunes charts and Sirius XM decided to pick it up. It’s been on On The Horizon for a couple weeks now and we hope it will eventually break into their regular rotation. I’m incredibly happy they thought of me and gave me the opportunity to be heard.

Do you plan on releasing another EP or will there be only singles for now?
We’re always in the studio working on different songs, but my main goal is for the fans to have music whether that be through another EP or singles. We have to see where this one goes, but so far, it has had the most momentum of any song I have released and I’m really excited about it.

Last year you were a part of Cole’s Down Home Tour. Are there plans to tour this year?
The touring side will probably happen in the Fall, but for now we will do some shows here and there. Whenever something comes up we try to be strategic about it, because right now being in town and writing songs is what’s most important.

Finally, I love to know if there is any recent release that you cannot stop listening to and would recommend people check out?
I’m a sucker for early 2000’s pop, but right now I’m really into Ed Sheeran’s new music as well as this other artist, Marc E. Bassy. 

For more information  visit his official website
Find  him on Facebook, Twitter, and Spotify
​Purchase  Taylor's music HERE