Ever since the viral TikTok star, Cooper Alan, came across my radar several years ago, I have wanted to interview him for my Music Spotlight column. The arrival of his 20-song debut album, Winston-Salem, gave me the perfect opportunity to feature him.

Alan is from North Carolina. He and his family have always been big fans of sports and music, and he attended his first concert at the age of five. He formed his first band in 8th grade and initially focused more on the show than on the songs. He emulated acts like Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, and AC/DC as he honed his fan-driven performances.

Alan had a popular party band while attending the University of North Carolina. Still, it was after graduating from college in 2018 that he met songwriter Victoria Shaw, and his life would be forever changed. She told him, "You've got to write what's true to you, even if it sounds crazy compared to everyone else's music."

He took her advice to heart, and they wrote the song "New Normal," which unexpectedly went viral during the height of the pandemic. Once he became a TikTok sensation, the prolific performer included covers such as a country version of Aloe Blacc's "Wake Me Up", a mashup of Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" and Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode", and a country take on Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". He has also covered Barenaked Ladies songs.

Eventually, Alan moved to Nashville, where he played in cover bands at the local honky-tonks. As a songwriter, he has composed serene mental health meditations to unapologetic drinking songs. Alan has proven himself to be one of country music's most fearless new voices, blending country, rock, pop, and hip-hop influences with sharp writing and big hooks, consistently selling out live shows wherever he goes. However, it is his direct and genuine connection with his fans that sets him apart.

He stated of his songwriting, "Hooks always meant something to me. You take that and combine it with the crazy, off-the-wall stuff, along with what I'm going through in life and deep emotional storytelling. You put all that together and that's me."

Previous songs that have firmly placed Alan on the country music map include "Colt 45 (Country Remix)" with Rvshvd, the Celtic drinking song "To the Bar," and the fan-favorite "Take Forever (Hally's Song)."

Earlier this year, Alan teamed up with Canadian crooner and Music Spotlight artist, Brett Kissel, to bring us the light-hearted drinking song, "Two of Us." Though the duo is from opposite sides of North America, with their driven work ethic and love of family, the pair are like two peas in a pod.

"Brett Kissel is family. I love that guy," he stated.

I have covered many debut albums, but I've never featured one with 20 songs. But as a songwriter, Alan needed to showcase his depth and diversity of the man he has become. Split into two sides, Winston-Salem blends high-energy bar anthems with soul-searching ballads. Winston reflects on family, fatherhood, and personal roots, with his wife, Hally, as his muse. At the same time, Salem turns up the volume with rowdy, feel-good tracks that Alan is known for. 

The sentimental songs on the Winston side, like "Roots," "Fourth of July," and "Hard Acre," are about knowing who you are and where you came from. He honors his mother with "Good Mama," his father with "Better Dad," and his grandfather with "La-Z-Boy." However, it is his wife, Hally, who has had the most profound impact on his life, and the songs "5X7," "Holy Ghost," and "Starting to Show" are a tribute to her.

Alan stated, "Since being with Hally, I've been more intentional about putting more focus on the spiritual and the Bible and faith. That has changed my life. I'm only about 10% of where I need to go, but that 10% has really changed me."

But for those who prefer the more rambunctious side of Alan, there is a 2nd side to the debut album, Salem, complete with Irish pub songs, two tunes about a fictional "Dale Dickens" (who did have it coming), and a song about Willie's "Greener Grass." There is also a redneck, harmonica-infused ditty about his "Crazy Shady Uncle" (Sam), who is wasting our tax dollars. The song "Alive" is a Western rap song influenced by Eminem.

I also hear the Celtic/Irish influence in many of his songs. Still, it is especially noticeable in "Plead the Fifth," and "Drunk Drink," two songs that sound like they're straight from the Emerald Isle.

He explained, "My bass player from high school, McKinley, was really into Irish music, and I think I got it from him. I love the beat. It just always makes me want to run through a wall in the best way. I love listening to that stuff. And it's fun to write."

Alan is an undeniably skilled singer with a wide vocal range that resonates with a rich, convincing baritone. But where he is most masterful is in configuring lyrics. Alan brings fearless creativity and unfiltered rawness to country music. He doesn't worry if a song gets labeled with an "E" because, often, those words are required to make the tune believable and real.

The thing I like most about Cooper Alan's music is his authenticity. He, like us, is not just one thing, feeling, or idea. Life is layered and multifaceted, and so is his music. He said that his favorite song on the record is "Starting to Show," and he is thrilled about becoming a dad.

But his second favorite song is "Drunk Drink," a true Irish pub song. Alan is excited for his first UK tour this spring, where he will bring his brand of country music to the British Isles. They are going to love him as much as we do.

With the heart of a showman and the hustle of a modern, independent, multifaceted artist, Cooper Alan's debut album, Winston Salem, is not to be missed.

You can follow Cooper Alan on his website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and all streaming platforms.

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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X.

Winston-Salem Track List:
WINSTON
1.) Roots
2.) Fourth of July
3.) Lazy Boy
4.) 5X7
5.) Holy Ghost
6.) Starting to show
7.) Better Dad
8.) Good Mama
9.) Hard Acre
10.) Take a life
11.) Devil in my Mind

SALEM
12.) Plead The Fifth
13.) Damn In Me
14.) Dale Dickens
15.) BOS
16.) Crazy Shady Uncle
17.) Alive
18.) Greener Grass
19.) Take Bobby Home
20.) Drunk Drink