Cole Chaney is an up and coming country music singer from the mountains of EKY in Boyd County that sings about the struggles of growing up in Eastern Kentucky, but also has an incredible way of telling the story of what makes living through said struggles so worth it. Cole has a way of personifying "the hills" and coal, specifically. Overall, Cole sings on behalf of a large percentage of Eastern Kentuckians, and does a heck of a job at getting the story exactly right. Cole Chaney, along with Logan Halstead, sold out The Burl in Lexington, Ky. this weekend in Cole's second appearance at The Burl (previously opening for 49 Winchester) being the headliner himself this time around. Cole's name continues to spread like wildfire after his debut album "Mercy" that was released in May of this year.
Cole Chaney featuring Dale Earnhardt Sr. (Rest in peace, King)
Cole Chaney while playing "Painted Blue" and giving fellow Eastern Kentuckians, Sundy Best, a shout out.
(Both photos from Kyton Joseph)
Fans of Cole Chaney's that attended the show gave very high praises of the 18 song setlist, that included his originals and his own renditions of 'Painted Blue' by Sundy Best and 'Down Low' by Town Mountain and Tyler Childers, this one accompanied by Logan Halstead.
Has anyone checked on The Burl?
Mac, from the above picture, also included this statement:
"I don't really know what to say other than, it was one of the best damn shows I'd ever been to. There's probably folks who wish that they hadn't have missed it. Because it's a show that people are gonna look back on and be talkin about when Cole and Logan blow up and are playing sold out shows in front of thousands of people every night."
I got the chance to talk to Cole and ask a few questions, in which I believe you will enjoy the answers to.
Q: What was it like growing up in Eastern Kentucky for you?
Cole: "It was a great place to grow up. A slow moving place with just enough to do for a kid to learn how to get in and out of trouble."
Q: Are any of your songs written about anyone specific?
Cole: "All kinds [of them]. Coalshooter was written about my Grandfather."
Q: What is your absolute favorite thing about Eastern Kentucky?
Cole: "The people."
Q: What got you into country music and who are your biggest musical influences?
Cole: Nicholas Jamerson, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Ralph Stanley, and a lot of alternative rock.
Q: If you could go on tour with any Kentucky artist, past or present, who would you pick?
Cole: Keith Whitley
Download "Mercy" and join the Cole Chaney bandwagon NOW.
Download links:
Spotify <
Apple <
Huge thanks to Kyton Joseph who helped me out a lot putting this article together.