Cole Bradley’s new single dropped today! Here’s the interview I did with him last Saturday night in Barrie.
GOCCM: Cole Bradley
CB: Well hello hello.
GOCCM: Pleased to meet you.
CB: Thank you for having me. This is fun. It’s good to be in Barrie, my first time ever.
GOCCM: You are from Calgary area?
CB: From Calgary, yes, but I have been living in Nashville the last 4 years and I can’t complain with that.
GOCCM: You didn’t come from Nashville for this show…
CB: No, since Covid hit in March, I have been home in Alberta with my family. Heading back to Nashville on Monday.
GOCCM: You are flying back? I understand we can fly but not drive across the border.
CB: You can fly. Plus I have papers, so I will be all right.
GOCCM: Did you come to Barrie from Calgary by car or plane?
CB: We flew here — 4 hour flight but 7 hours in a mask following protocol keeping everyone safe.
GOCCM: What was it like traveling during this pandemic?
CB: It was a little weird obviously. Everyone wearing masks, all the protocols, getting temperature taken before going through security, but, other than that, fairly standard. But, wearing the mask for 7 hours is the biggest thing that we found a bit claustrophobic. But we were doing what it took to keep everyone sale. And we are happy to be here.
GOCCM: And you just want to play.
CB: I just wanted to play music, and this is how we are doing it now, and I love it. Can’t complain.
GOCCM: Have you been to a drive-in concert yet?
CB: No, I have not been to one yet. I have seen them on social media, but I have not played one yet nor been at one. This is my first go round.
GOCCM: Me too. I haven’t been to one either.
CB: Nice. It’s a good kick-off.
GOCCM: You talked about new music on your socials. Will you give us a hint as to what we may expect and when?
CB: Actually, yesterday I announced that I am releasing my first new single of the year “Love Made Me” on September 4th, 6 days from now. It is exciting. We have recorded a bunch of new music over these last 3 years and I am anxious to get it out there. This is a great single to release. Super fun upbeat. We will be playing it tonight. It is a great one to kick off a future EP, whenever that may be. It is coming. It’s coming but I haven’t got the date yet — but, it is coming.
GOCCM: You played the famed Bluebird Cafe. Can you tell us how that came about and what it felt like to be on that iconic stage?
CB: I know, the Bluebird Cafe is one of a kind. I have been so, so lucky to play there. I think I have played there five times now. We were supposed to play there in April again when the pandemic hit. We are going to reschedule that show.
Man, my first time playing there was a special one. I had my family down obviously. Just playing where all my heroes have played before me. It is surreal, Garth Brooks and Keith Urban. I have to say it is probably the most nervous I have ever felt, the first time I stepped into that little circle there.
As I grew older and grew as an artist, I felt like I am getting it more down pat now. I played a show there for my 21st birthday a couple years ago and had family and friends there. It was a super night. But, yes, the Bluebird Cafe, there is nothing quite like it. It is always an honour to play there.
GOCCM: We attended about 15 years ago but then of course once the tv show Nashville hit it is almost impossible to get a ticket now.
CB: Yes, it is hard.
GOCCM: You live in Nashville full time generally?
CB: I do. The last 4 years there.
GOCCM: So what are you making your living at there?
CB: Music. Actually, I finished July 1st with a university business degree from Belmont University. Now I am doing music full time, full focus. It is great. I loved going to school but obviously music is my passion. Music was always the focus. I did my schooling around it. I think I could say I balanced them both pretty well. I am happy to have a degree.
GOCCM: What are some of the places you have played in Nashville that we might know.
CB: There are a bunch of bars. The Local is one. Alley Taps is another local live music spot. There are so many little bars off the strip and in town that I have played at but nothing has been as famous or as remarkable as the Bluebird.
GOCCM: You would be hard pressed to beat that.
CB: Hopefully Bluebird, then the Opry, the Ryman and the Bridgestone. That is the hope. We are going to go higher hopefully one day.
GOCCM: You have a plan. Your audiences expect a fun party time at your shows. Tonight, for many of us, it will be our first time to see you in action. We music lovers, in our cars, will be honking and flashing lights to let you know we are having fun.
CB: I hope so.
GOCCM: Our readers can follow you on Facebook at Cole Bradley with the blue authentication tick or on Instagram and Twitter at playitcole.
CB: Thank you so much. It is an honour to meet you.
GOCCM: I will be watching your career soar.
CB: I hope so. I hope so. Thank you for looking at artists who are just getting up there and I appreciate you taking the time.
GOCCM: Well I have met quite a few over the years. If you go on my Godmother page and read my bio you will see that my first artists that I really started out with was Johnny Reid when he was young.
CB: I have heard great things about Johnny Reid but I haven’t met him personally.
GOCCM: Oh ya, he’s a great guy. Then Brett Kissel. I was the first to bring him to Ontario.
CB: Oh Brett, ya, Also, a great guy. I have nothing but kind things to say about Brett.
GOCCM: Yes, I have had some fun. The Godmother moniker came from Erik Dylan.
CB: Erik Dylan! Oh I love Erik. I don’t know him personally but I have seen him play a couple times. He is just mesmerizing. He is an unbelievable song writer, performer and he is just captivating. I love Erik Dylan.
Just look at you. You find all the great people. I think that is on you. You’re a great person and great people flock to you.
GOCCM: Well I don’t know what it is.
CB: Oh come on. I love it.
GOCCM: Well I think I have a good ear.
CB: Definitely a good ear.
GOCCM: And the artist has to have that fun sparkle and be able to interact with people. It shows in your face. That smile and twinkle in the eye and “I am excited about this” look.
CB: Thank you very much.
GOCCM: And, of course, if you can actually sing that helps too.
CB: I guess. Well you will see tonight if I can sing. People have told me I can. I think I can, so we will see. You can be the tester for that. You let me know at the end of the show.
GOCCM: Okay I will.
CB: Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it.
GOCCM: and if we weren’t in Covid I’d give you a hug.
CB: Me too. Crazy times. Crazy times.—
