Podcast Summary: On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer

Episode: "From the Merch Stand to the Stage with Cole Swindell"
Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Troy Vollhoffer (B)
Guest: Cole Swindell (A)

Episode Overview

This episode of "On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer" features a candid and celebratory interview with Cole Swindell. Swindell shares his journey from humble beginnings selling merch for Luke Bryan to writing his own #1 hits and, ultimately, headlining major festival stages. The conversation offers behind-the-scenes insight into the festival scene, the songwriting culture of Nashville, the importance of mentorship, and Swindell's deeply personal fifth studio album, "Spanish Moss." The episode resonates with both humor and heart, punctuated by Swindell’s anecdotes, reflections on loss, and excitement for the next chapter—both as a touring artist and soon-to-be father.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Cole’s Early Career: Georgia Roots to Nashville ([01:37]–[04:14])

• Roots in Georgia:

  • Cole discusses being born in Savannah, later moving to Albany, and finding his footing musically by performing in college bars.
  • “I went to college near Savannah, Georgia Southern University. Started playing the bars there. That's really where I got my start to singing in bars, singing out in public.” ([01:38])

• Earning a Live Audience:

  • Recalls performing for bar tabs and small crowds, stressing the necessity of winning over a tough audience and valuing every fan.
  • “Knowing that, man, every crowd, you just...you don't know what to expect. And it makes you appreciate every single fan you have or people that are gonna spend their money or even time to come and watch you play.” ([02:23])

• Meeting Luke Bryan:

  • Swindell met Luke Bryan through their fraternity; Luke was instrumental in sparking his interest in songwriting.
  • “Luke Bryan’s here, changing his guitar strings… he plays a song that he has written, and I just remember being like, you wrote that...I have to get into this songwriting thing.” ([03:05])

From Merch to Music: Starting in the Industry ([03:39]–[05:53])

• Touring with Luke Bryan:

  • Swindell started as Luke Bryan’s merch guy while writing songs on the side.
  • “He needed a merch guy, I needed a job… I wanted to be in the music business somehow...He, you know, gave me a job selling T-shirts. I wasn't very good at that, thank God.” ([03:39])

• Songwriting Craft & Community:

  • Passion for co-writing in Nashville, emphasizing the camaraderie and electricity of the process: “You get to do that what you love and know that, man, this could be played live in front of a crowd, like tonight.” ([04:53])

First Big Break: Songwriting Hits ([08:07]–[09:43])

• Breakthrough Songs:

  • First major hits included "Roller Coaster" (Luke Bryan), “Get Me Some of That” (Thomas Rhett), and "This Is How We Roll" (Florida Georgia Line).
  • “Always say going from selling his T-shirts to write the number one song for him was pretty, pretty cool.” ([08:09])
  • On Thomas Rhett's cut: “First song we ever wrote. His son records it is a massive superstar and makes it my first as a writer. That doesn't even sound like a real story, but it is.” ([08:30])

• Transition to Performing:

  • The success of his demos prompted industry figures to suggest he perform his own material.
  • “They’re hearing my demos of them...They’re like, why aren’t you singing these?...that really got the ball rolling.” ([08:52])

Life as an Artist: From Songwriter to Entertainer ([10:06]–[11:56])

• Challenges of Transition:

  • Outlines the stark differences between writing and performing: nerves, demands, and the adrenaline of a big crowd.
  • “I went from 20 people to a few hundred maybe in college. And then, you know, I got thrown out there on tour with Luke...in front of 20,000. My heart rate was high.” ([10:18])

• Respect for Songwriters:

  • Swindell admits he was “more starstruck by meeting a songwriter than artists,” illustrating his respect for the craft ([11:31])

Mentorship and Influences ([11:56]–[13:53])

• Early Influences:

  • Luke Bryan, Randy Travis, and Reba McEntire are cited as major artistic mentors.
  • Special mention of songwriter Shane Minor: “He was one of the first people that kind of took me under his wing… you don’t forget that.” ([12:59])
  • Praises frequent collaborator Ashley Gorley for his commitment and skill: “He works harder than anybody else I know...some of my most special songs, my career been with Ashley.” ([13:09])

• Genesis of "You Should Be Here":

  • Collaboration with Ashley Gorley; inspired after Swindell’s father passed and Gorley sent him a video from Gillette Stadium with the message “You should be here.”
  • “That's the song I wish I'd never had to write. But then the more you think about that, I think songs like that are why we really love country music anyway.” ([13:54])

New Chapter: "Spanish Moss," Fatherhood, and Touring ([14:30]–[16:00])

• 2025: An Eventful Year

  • Fifth studio album "Spanish Moss" released—deep, personal, and spanning 21 songs.
  • Prepping for fatherhood and the "Happy Hour Sad Tour," with new artists joining him on the road.
  • “Got a baby on the way... gonna take a little break and become a dad. Then we're gonna have a fall tour, ‘Happy Hour Sad Tour’ with Priscilla Block... It's a big year, like, career wise. Personally, just all of it.” ([14:32])

• Supporting Emerging Artists:

  • Swindell seeks to “pass it on” by providing platforms for new talent like Graylan James and Logan Crosby.
  • “Everybody’s got to have a little somebody that believes in them to open some door. And I think if I can bring people I love what they're doing out to put them in front of my fans for a little bit...that's how you say thank you.” ([15:22])

The Importance of Songwriters & The Nashville Connection ([16:25]–[17:20])

• Highlighting Songwriters at Festivals:

  • Vollhoffer and Swindell note the importance of songwriters' tents at festivals, giving due credit to the creators behind hits.
  • “One for y'all to shine that light on songwriters is...that's huge. I mean, they don't get that. They deserve that.” ([16:42])

• Nashville Pride:

  • Swindell credits the Nashville community for making country music feel like a family, bringing fans and creators together in a unique way.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On What Inspires Artists:

  • “Anybody out there that's ever heard a song of mine or that made them want to write a song, if that's just one person, I mean, that's what got me started.” — Cole Swindell ([00:06])

• From the Merch Stand to the Spotlight:

  • “Going from selling his T-shirts to writing the number one song for him is pretty, pretty cool.” — Cole Swindell ([00:14], [08:09])

• Songwriting as a Calling:

  • “It makes you appreciate every single fan you have or people that are gonna spend their money or even time to come and hang out and watch you play.” — Cole Swindell ([02:23])

• Community in Country Music:

  • “Country music's just...I mean, it's like a family. I really think the fans, the artists, the people in the business, everybody, man, it. It takes everybody.” — Cole Swindell ([11:31])

• On Losing His Father and Writing Through Grief:

  • “That's the song I wish I'd never had to write. But then the more you think about that, I think songs like that are why we really love country music anyway.” — Cole Swindell ([13:54])

• Giving Back:

  • “In our business, that's how you say thank you. You pass it on...If I can bring people I love what they're doing out to put them in front of my fans for a little bit...that makes me more proud than anything.” — Cole Swindell ([15:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cole’s Early Life & Start in Bars: [01:37]–[02:23]
• Meeting Luke Bryan & First Songwriting Spark: [03:05]–[03:39]
• Transition From Merch to Songwriting: [03:39]–[04:14]
• Songwriting Culture in Nashville: [04:45]–[05:53]
• First Big Songwriting Hits: [08:07]–[09:43]
• Transition from Songwriter to Artist: [10:06]–[11:56]
• Mentorship, Influences, and "You Should Be Here": [11:56]–[13:53]
• New Album, Fatherhood, Tour: [14:30]–[16:00]
• Supporting Emerging Songwriters: [16:00]–[17:20]

Tone and Final Impressions

Warm, generous, and humble, Cole Swindell expresses deep gratitude for every rung of the ladder—audiences large and small, mentors, co-writers, and those who believed in him before the big breaks. Troy Vollhoffer fosters a relaxed, storytelling atmosphere, eliciting reflections that highlight both the challenges and rewards of a career in country music.

Swindell’s message is clear: stay connected, give back, and honor the work and craft of songwriters as much as the performer on stage. For anyone interested in the real Nashville grind, this episode delivers both authenticity and inspiration.