cole releases “ugly love”

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Born and raised in Nacogdoches, Texas, Cole Stephens is bringing his own brand of Rock N’ Tonk to the Texas music scene. Blending the storytelling of traditional country with the energy of southern rock and the soulful influence of gospel, Cole is developing a sound that reflects his East Texas roots while pushing beyond the boundaries of traditional country music.

Growing up surrounded by music, Cole’s earliest influences came from church and a wide range of artists, from George Strait and Toby Keith to Steve Perry, Sammy Hagar, and Layne Staley. As a teenager, he spent his weekends in East Texas honky tonks and dance halls watching artists like Koe Wetzel, Parker McCollum, Randy Rogers, Aaron Watson, and Cody Johnson. Those experiences sparked his passion for the Texas Country and Red Dirt scenes and ultimately inspired him to pursue a music career of his own.

Cole began performing around his hometown after high school and started writing and releasing original music following his freshman year of college. 

In 2024, he made the decision to pursue music full-time, spending weekends on the road between venues making fans one person at a time. Since then, Cole has shared the stage with an impressive lineup of artists, including Logan Ryan Band, Aaron Watson, Josh Ward, Mike Ryan, Kolby Cooper, Stoney LaRue, Cameron Sacky Band, Cole Phillips, and the Bellamy Brothers. His performances have taken him from Texas honky tonks and dance halls to venues such as Gruene Hall, Banita Creek Hall, the Diamond Ballroom, and other live music destinations across the Texas and Oklahoma.

Cole’s growing catalog of original music showcases his diverse sound. Songs like Ugly Love, Bad Tattoo and Liquored Up feature guitar-driven style, while Up To Me, Welcome to My World, and Queen of Texas highlight his songwriting and country roots. On February 20, 2026, Cole released his debut album, “Yesterday’s News,” a collection of original songs reflecting life, relationships, and lessons learned along the miles of Texas highways. Continuing to evolve as an artist, his latest single, “Ugly Love,” released October 30, bringing a heavier rock influence to his music.

With  a reputation for energetic live performances and a commitment to writing songs that reflect real-life experiences, Cole Stephens is finding his own place in Texas music—one stage, one song, and one mile at a time.