Country star Cole Swindell chatted about his newest studio album “Spanish Moss,” which was just released on June 27th via Warner Music Nashville.
“I am just excited about the new album,” he exclaimed.
Song selection process for ‘Spanish Moss’
On his new album, Swindell said, “To even make a fifth album is a blessing. I truly believe that this has some of my best work so that makes it even better.”
“The process was a little longer than I had envisioned but I also think it’s the reason it turned out the way it did; it gave me time to really find the right songs and write the right songs and just make it a complete album,” he elaborated.
“It’s 2025 now, and there are no rules when it comes to releasing music. You put out as much as you want. I decided to put out 21 songs because I felt I had 21 that fit this project,” Swindell added.
Most recently, on July 1st, Swindell hosted an album release party at New York’s Webster Hall venue.
Music and songwriting inspirations
Regarding his music and songwriting inspirations for this album, Swindell revealed, “Just life and living.”
“Obviously, I’m in a different stage in my life from this album than I was in my last album since I have been writing and recording songs about where I am now,” he noted.
“Also, I haven’t forgotten where I’ve come from and the past and the things that I’ve been through,” he acknowledged. “Even things that I may not be living right now, I know that other people have been through, and it’s my job to write and record songs that help people.”
“I think that’s why we all love music, we all love connection, and knowing that we are not alone and we all experience different feelings,” he added.
Swindell’s current radio single is “We Can Always Move On,” which is making its way up the Billboard Hot Country Charts.
Personal favorite songs from the new album
Swindell listed “Dale Jr.” as well as the title track “Spanish Moss,” and “Forever to Me,” the latter of which was his wedding song, as his personal favorite tunes on the new album.
“Songs can take you back to a specific place and time,” he admitted.
“Spanish Moss reminds me of my dad and growing up in Georgia. ‘Kill a Prayer’ and ‘Heads Up Heaven’ are also special to me because they mention my mom. Every song on this album is meaningful and special for a different reason,” he explained.
“I love all the different types of songs that the album has,” he added.
Lessons learned from this album
On the lessons learned from this album, he reflected, “Just the process of making it… you can’t give up. There are a lot of ups and downs in the process of making an album.”
“If things don’t go exactly the way you dream them up or expect them to, then just fight through the doubts,” he noted.
“We didn’t give up on it, we kept writing and kept digging, and finally, we got it to a place where I am so proud of, and now, I just want everybody to hear it,” he added.
Personal life
In his personal life, Swindell is married to his wife, Courtney, and they are expecting their first child, a baby girl, in August. “Married life has been going really well,” he admitted.
Swindell on performing at The Paramount in Huntington on Long Island
Swindell recalled performing at The Paramount in Huntington on Long Island back in 2022, as one of the shows post-COVID.
“We loved getting the chance to play up there. The Paramount is such a cool venue to play,” he said. ‘It always amazes me that there are country music fans everywhere.”
“I always look forward to playing on Long Island, and I can’t wait for the next time,” Swindell added.
‘She Had Me at Heads Carolina’ duet with Jo Dee Messina
In several instances, Swindell had the good fortune to duet his smash single “She Had Me at Heads Carolina” with country songstress Jo Dee Messina (the singer of the original song “Heads Carolina, Tails California”).
“That was a big moment for both of us,” he admitted. “It turned out to be one of the coolest things of my career. I love Jo Dee Messina and all the female ‘90s country singers; they were a big part of my childhood.”
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Swindell disclosed, “Settling Down.”
“That would be a good title of my life,” he admitted. “Also, I am looking forward to becoming a dad.”
Dream duet choices in music
Swindell listed traditional country queens Lee Ann Womack and Patty Loveless, along with newer sensation Ella Langley as his dream female duet choices.
“I would like to do something with Dylan Marlowe,” he noted. “I would also love to do something with Tim McGraw. I have a song that is not on the album, but I would like to send it to him someday to check it out.”
Swindell on Lainey Wilson
Swindell also complimented Lainey Wilson for all of her commercial success; speaking of Wilson, he had the good fortune to duet with her on “Never Say Never,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay Charts.
“I am so happy for Lainey and all of her success,” he said. “Lainey is a great person, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Lainey is just amazing.”
The digital age
On being a recording artist in the digital age, Swindell remarked, “I feel it’s just a learning curve. Things are always changing, especially the way people consume music and everything else. It is about trying to keep up. Things are always changing, and it is different.”
“Also, your music is being spread to more people, so hopefully, more people are hearing it. You just keep putting the best music you can out there and try to figure out how to get it in front of people,” he elaborated.
“This album is something I’m proud of and I do think that if I can get it in front of people, then people can stream it and spread the word about it,” he noted.
“It’s just a different day and age with a lot of adjustments but I am looking forward to keep on trying to get my music spread,” Swindell added.
Favorite motto to live by
On his favorite mottos to live by, Swindell revealed, “Just to be kind and be good to each other. That’s what I would always tell people.”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Swindell said, “Success, now, means more of the real-life things. Being happily married with a kid on the way. Looking at that, I consider that a real-life success.”
“I am so thankful to have my career but to now have my wife and a baby on the way to share all that with puts the things that really matter into perspective,” he noted.
“Of course, my career means everything to me but if all that went away, I would have someone that loves me and has my back, so success looks a little different to me these days,” he elaborated.
Closing thoughts on the ‘Spanish Moss’ album
For his fans and supporters, Swindell expressed, “I hope they can find something for whatever it is they are going through (the good things and the bad things).”
“I really think there is a song for everybody on there,” he said. “I hope they can find their story in the ‘Spanish Moss’ album.”
“That’s the beauty of writing songs; there are other people that can relate to them,” Swindell concluded.
To learn more about chart-topping country artist Cole Swindell, follow him on Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Facebook.
Read More: Cole Swindell “Spanish Moss” album review.
