Fred Lee Cole

Named for his Grandad, Cole first started chasing songs at the age of sixteen. Enticed by the elusive and mysterious place from which creativity originates, Cole has been writing ever since.  He was born and raised in East Tennessee but has called many places home, from as far away as Los Angeles or as close as middle Tennessee.  These places have cultivated years of stories of travel, friendship, love and heartbreak but its the nostalgia and tranquility of East Tennessee where Cole's creativity thrives the most.  Drawing influence not only from the traditional music of the region, he has been inspired by anyone from Patty Griffin and Jason Isbell to Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen. The writing process is quiet and personal. They are reflections and mediations straight from the conscience.  The songs never meet paper. "Pen and paper always killed the process and the song for me, it always felt contrived or superficial to force it out on paper. That method, for me, appealed to the ego of something else and not the true expression of the stories that seemingly fall from the sky.” The result being a raw and honest perspective performed with the soul and urgency of the emotions that inspired them.   These songs have largely been kept to himself but Cole looks forward to performing and sharing them with a broader audience in the coming year. He is looking to book shows in the region at listening rooms and festivals.  Cole plans to record a studio EP to make available in the summer of 2020.