If you’ve watched country music videos on CMT this year, you’ve undoubtedly seen Caroline Kole. Her girl-next-door looks and pure, sweet vocals are hard to miss. It might surprise you to know she is a co-writer on both songs, "Money To Me,” out since January, and “If He’d Ever Look Up,” her more recent hit. If you don’t follow her on social media, you might be very surprised to know she takes a break from writing and performing music every morning during the week to attend classes and finish her Senior year in high school!
We recently caught up with Kole as she opened for Reba McEntire, whose husband, Narvel Blackstock, met and signed her to their label, Starstruck Entertainment. Get to know Kole as she speaks on a few important topics…in her own words:
On how she discovered her love for music:
“I've been singing since birth and playing guitar since I was 8 years old! You could say that my sports skills were sub-par, so I hunted for a hobby that wasn't all that hazardous. Our family has always been big music connoisseurs, so music was the next thing we tried, and I ended up writing my first song shortly after my first guitar lesson! The song was called “Questions” and I wrote it (in green crayon), about a boy at school who had the bluest eyes and with whom I was infatuated! My first performance was at the local church fair when I was 9 years old, and I fell in love with the energy of a crowd and that love has grown even more since!”
On how music discovered her:
“I had been singing and songwriting since I was 8, but our first trip to Nashville was when I was 10! I played the Bluebird Cafe, met some people on the Row and got this amazing vibe from music city. We made trips back to TN at least once a month until I ultimately got an Artist Development/ Publishing deal with Sony/ ATV when I was 14 (freshman in high school) and my family and I made the official move here!”
On Narvel Blackstock and Reba:
“I had a meeting with him (Blackstock) in his office after he heard one of my songs, and he came later to hear me play live. Serendipity and the Grace of God brought us together! The support and love and advice they have given me over the past few years is unparalleled. Driving around in the car mom and I would sing "Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” and to hear that song every night, after I’ve opened for Miss Reba is literally crazy. It’s really humbling to have such a legend in my corner. She is the sweetest, nicest, chillest woman you’ll ever meet! One time I was talking to her about careers and experiences and life and work ethics, and she told me we really weren’t that different. That moment is one I’m not gonna forget.”
On the music she listens to:
“When I say I have everything on my iPod, I mean it! I’m always looking for new, different, fresh-sounding stuff out there. Sam Hunt and Charlie Worsham are new country artists that I have fallen in love with (1. They are so talented, and I’m obsessed with the lyrics to their songs 2. They. Are. So. Attractive! Reba, Colbie Caillat, anything off the top 50 on the pop countdown (OneRepublic, especially), Fleetwood Mac, Cat Stevens, the Frozen soundtrack on repeat, and a little High School Musical sprinkled throughout never hurt anybody!”
On her inspiration for songwriting:
“I get inspiration from everywhere. I know that sounds so vague, but it's 100 percent true. Lines that people say, stories I've read, events in my life, and ESPECIALLY the high school hallways!”
On being a young songwriter:
“Just because it hasn’t happened to me doesn’t mean I haven’t heard someone else’s story that might have been in that situation. I like putting myself in other people’s shoes and getting a different perspective on circumstances. I used to always write by myself and learning to co-write was a difficult thing for me! Each song is special to me and it was hard to let someone else put their touch on it too, but now I love it. I love having more brains and ideas in the room to bounce around a concept with and to turn an idea around and around until we hit something we really like. Most of the songs on my EP are co-written, including the song we are currently promoting, “If He’d Ever Look Up.” After a write or two with someone, you inevitably end up becoming really good friends, and that’s one of my favorite parts about it all.”
You can catch up with Caroline Kole on her website and on her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also buy her music at iTunes.
Janice Riccelli
Caroline Kole is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. My family are HUGE FANS of hers and have been following her about 4 years now!! Can't wait to see what's next for Caroline, no doubt she is gonna be huge!! We will follow her all the way to the top!!!