New Artist Spotlight: Preston Cooper – From Singing Mailman to Rising Country Star
If you ever found yourself in Fredericktown, Ohio, a few years ago, you might have caught a glimpse of a mail carrier strolling the streets, singing his heart out. That wasn’t just any mailman—it was Preston Cooper, and little did the townspeople know, they were witnessing the start of a country music journey that would take him straight to Nashville.
Nicknamed "The Singing Mailman" by his hometown, Cooper's love for music was evident even before he set foot on a professional stage. "I would carry mail and sing as I was walking around. People started coming out on their porches just to hear me," he recalls. But the Ohio native had bigger dreams, and after a brief stint in college, he packed up and set his sights on Music City.
Despite not coming from a musical family, Cooper found himself drawn to music from an early age. "I was always the band kid," he laughs, recalling how he gravitated toward melodies and songwriting. His influences span across generations and genres—Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, Bob Seger, and Keith Urban all played a role in shaping his sound. "Chris Stapleton, especially. His voice, his songwriting, and the way he carries himself—I’ve always looked up to him," Cooper shares.
His big break in songwriting came with "Weak," the first song he wrote upon arriving in Nashville. "It was my first time in a real writer’s room, and I was nervous," he admits. Teaming up with the Warren Brothers, Cooper found himself in a whirlwind of creativity, crafting the song in just 45 minutes. The powerful ballad captures raw emotion, speaking to anyone who’s ever had someone or something make them weak in the best way. "It could be a person, a significant other, or even faith. That’s why I think it resonates with so many people."
But the journey to recording wasn’t without its challenges. His first studio experience at Curb Studios left him in awe, especially when he realized that Tim McGraw’s engineer, Julian King, was behind the controls. "That was a ‘holy shit’ moment for me," he says. "I’m just some kid from Fredericktown, and here I am in the middle of Music Row."
Cooper’s rise has been nothing short of rapid, and his hometown couldn’t be prouder. "Fredericktown actually has the most streams on my song out of any town," he shares with a grin. "They’re blasting it at the post office, at my high school—it’s wild."
His latest release, "One More Place I've Never Been," cements his place as a force to be reckoned with in country music. Staying true to his neo-traditional sound, Cooper’s vocals soar as he grapples with the heartbreak of watching his love find a home in someone else’s arms. The chorus, packed with raw emotion, proves that the once-singing mailman is now stadium-ready.
So, what’s next for Preston Cooper? "There’s so much in the works that I can’t wait to share," he teases. With a voice that demands attention, a debut that sets the bar high, and a small-town work ethic that won’t quit, Cooper is proving that dreams don’t just get delivered—they’re chased down with grit and passion.
Keep an eye on this rising star, because Preston Cooper is just getting started.
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