Cole Swindell joined The Bobby Bones Show and reflected on fatherhood, family life, music, and the inspiration behind his new song, “Girl Dad.”
Bobby Bones and Swindell are both first-time fathers with their first Father's Day coming up. Swindell shared that he would be spending Father’s Day weekend on the road performing shows but planned to return home to North Carolina afterward to celebrate with his family. He and his wife have spent much of the past year living in North Carolina near her family. While he still loves Nashville and returns frequently for work, being closer to family has been especially valuable while balancing life on the road and raising their daughter. When Bobby asked how the move had affected his mental health, Swindell said the change had been positive. He acknowledged missing the convenience and energy of Nashville, but the quieter lifestyle and family support system have helped him embrace a different stage of life.
Becoming a dad has completely changed his perspective and priorities. After years of focusing on building a career, his daughter has become the most important part of his life. He now thinks more about the future, the example he sets, and how quickly time passes. Bobby related to many of Swindell’s experiences as a new father, including daily routines and bedtime rituals. The two shared stories about bath time, parenting schedules, and their tendency to constantly show pictures of their daughters whenever anyone asks about them. Swindell shared an emotional side of parenthood, including the realization that his daughter will never meet his late father. Bobby shared a similar feeling, noting that his daughter will never know his mother. Swindell said those moments can be difficult but are important to discuss because many people experience similar emotions while navigating family loss. The conversation led into the inspiration behind Swindell’s new song, “Girl Dad.” Swindell explained that while many listeners may initially assume the title is simply about raising a daughter, the song carries a deeper meaning. He described it as an update to his life story and a message to his late father about the milestones he wishes he could have witnessed. Swindell said his song like “You Should Be Here” helped listeners process grief over the years, and “Girl Dad” continues that theme through a more personal lens. He explained that becoming a father has created new moments where he wishes his dad could be present to see his family and share in those experiences. Swindell also noted how much becoming a father has changed him. He said his greatest goal is not for his daughter to remember his career accomplishments, but for her to know him simply as her dad and to support her as she pursues her own dreams.
Besides new dad life and new music, Swindell has a growing interest in sports memorabilia and trading cards. Bobby revealed his extensive card collection and storage system, while Swindell shared a moment he had with Mike Trout singing him his autographed game-used bat. Swindell explained that Trout promised him the bat if he hit a home run during a game Swindell attended, and he followed through after delivering the home run. Swindell also discussed his friendship with Dale Earnhardt Jr., describing him as one of the most genuine and down-to-earth people he has met. He praised Earnhardt Jr.’s character and said they have a lot of similarities as sons who lost their fathers.
Bobby asked whether Swindell performs songs he wrote for other artists. Sometimes he does, likes his hits including “Roller Coaster” for Luke Bryan, “Give Me Some of That” for Thomas Rhett, and “This Is How We Roll” by Florida Georgia Line. He recalled the excitement of writing with songwriter and artist Rhett Akins early in his career and seeing one of those songs become his first No. 1 as a songwriter.