Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell was raised in Bronwood, Georgia, and studied at Georgia Southern University. He sold merchandise on the road for Luke Bryan and worked as a staff songwriter, writing cuts for Bryan, Thomas Rhett and others, before signing to Warner Music Nashville as an artist. His 2013 debut single "Chillin' It" launched a run of radio hits that includes "Ain't Worth the Whiskey" and "Middle of a Memory."

He has a softer side as well. "You Should Be Here," written after his father's death, became one of his best-known songs. "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" borrows from Jo Dee Messina's 1990s hit "Heads Carolina, Tails California," and Messina joined him on a later remix. He also recorded "Never Say Never" with Lainey Wilson.