Cole Swindell is excited about 2026. The new father just concluded his Happy Hour Sad Tour, but hints that fans will get to see him on the road next year as well. But as excited as he is to perform again, he is also just as excited to spend time with his daughter, Rainey Gail, who was born in August.
“Shows I’m excited about. We haven’t announced them yet, but I can’t wait,” Swindell teases to Country Now. “I’m excited to hit the road, but also to watch Rainey grow up.”
Swindell is passionated about his job, but is equally passionate about being a hands-on father. Fortunately, the 42-year-old is finding a way to do both.
“I’ve reached a point where I feel like I’ve found a good balance,” Swindell says. I still love being on the road, playing shows, seeing the fans… but coming home is even sweeter now. I’m just looking forward to seeing what life holds.”
Cole Swindell Is Writing Songs About His Little Girl
Swindell is no stranger to writing personal songs. In 2015, he released “You Should Be Here,” written about the loss of his father, who passed away in 2013. In 2024, he had a No. 1 hit with “Forever to Me,” written about his wife, Courtney. The song is on his latest Spanish Moss album, which also includes “Heads Up Heaven,” which he wrote about the loss of his mother, who passed away in 2021.
“That’s all I think about — the ideas,” Swindell says. “When you’re a songwriter, the ideas come from the season you’re in, and right now everything looks different. I think differently. I see things differently. I’m excited to share this part of my life. That’s how I get things out, through my lyrics, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
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Cole Swindell Releases “Make Heaven Crowded”
Swindell just released a new song, “Make Heaven Crowded,” inspired by the loss of Charlie Kirk. The Georgia native hints that he is making a career shift after the release of the song.
“I’ve literally been praying and praying about just personally, do I still need to do this?” Swindell admits to The Daily Wire. “Should I hang it up, be a dad? And like I said, the song, the reaction, I think it was the Lord telling me, ‘Look, your career is not over, you’re just not going any further without me.’ My wife told me that, and I believe it.”
Swindell had the idea for the song after hearing Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, say, “I am so humbled to witness Charlie, you alongside Jesus right now, doing what you always wanted to do, making heaven crowded, right? That’s what it’s all about. Making heaven crowded. I can’t wait to see you again one day.”
Swindell wrote “Make Heaven Croweded” with Greylan James, Joel Hutsell, and Blake Pendergrass.
“This literally is to honor Charlie and to spread Jesus everywhere we can,” Swindell says. “That’s why I do believe I have a platform, and just people that do … just use it for good.”
Photo Credit: Robby Klein