Cole Chaney Brings Legends & Verse To Life

Singer-Songwriter Bares His Soul at The Visulite

The first time I saw Cole Chaney perform he had just stepped onto the Cabin Stage at MerleFest. From the very first note he sang, I knew Cole was something special, in fact, he is simply extraordinary. Hailing from Eastern Kentucky, Chaney’s songs are anthems for the working man. With gorgeous melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Cole is a storyteller, weaving tales of his life. His lyrics give the listener an intimate look at his deepest thoughts and feelings accompanied by powerful vocals that can make you shed a tear or give you the chills.

He has been out on the road captivating music lovers everywhere and brought his Legends & Verse Tour to the Visulite Theatre for an evening of songs and stories. Taking the stage, backed by his ultra-talented band of fellow Kentucky musicians, Chaney quickly held the crowd in awe. There’s something to be said about the art of simplicity and Cole is a master of it. There aren’t any bells and whistles, just a guy and his guitar, accompanied by a group of fellow musicians, with a passion for his craft that can not be denied.

In between songs, Cole shared stories of his family and friends and his hometown as he serenaded us with “Mercy” and “Charlene.” His band was fantastic and Cole’s vocals filled the Visulite as he took us on an emotional journey for the ages. Through his music, we laughed and cried, we danced and stomped, and had our hearts filled to capacity. For me, this is what music is and does. It makes me feel and that’s exactly what Cole Chaney does. You don’t just listen to him perform, you experience the performance which is what live music is all about.

In a music industry full of the latest trends and flash-in-the-pan artists, it is refreshing to see an artist truly embrace their roots. When you hear “Coalshooter” or “Spirit,” you instantly have a connection to his soul and that is more fulfilling than all the flashy stage shows and autotune in the world.

Opening the show was singer-songwriter Abby Hamilton. Another fellow Kentucky musician, Hamilton’s vulnerability shines through the moment she steps onto the stage and is definitely worthy of being on your radar. I expect we will hear a lot more from Abby in the near future.

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

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