Preston Cooper Stakes His Claim on Country Music with Debut Album Toledo Talkin’ [Exclusive]
- All Country News
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
From sorting mail in Ohio to commanding stages across the country, Preston Cooper’s journey to the country music spotlight has been anything but ordinary. With the release of his debut album Toledo Talkin’, the Ohio native stakes his claim as one of country music’s most exciting new voices, a singer and songwriter whose music blends raw authenticity with a storyteller’s finesse. The Midwest powerhouse sat down with All Country News to chat the ins and outs of his debut project.
Spanning 12 tracks, Toledo Talkin’ offers a vivid portrait of a young artist finding his voice in a genre that prizes honesty above all else. Each song reflects universal themes: chasing dreams that seem just out of reach, confronting self-doubt, navigating life’s twists and turns, and embracing the growth that comes from risk and perseverance. Cooper’s voice, rich and emotive, carries the weight of experience and the excitement of possibility, anchoring ballads that tug at the heart and uptempo anthems built for the stage.
A Dream Realized: The Chris Stapleton Cut
It’s rare enough for an artist to work with one of their musical heroes during the peak of their career, let alone on a debut album. Cooper, however, managed it. Landing at number eleven on the album "Used To," a song co-written with Chris Stapleton, an icon many artists revere landed in his lap unexpectedly.
“Most people would go their whole career and would love nothing more than to have a Chris Stapleton cut on their album,” Cooper recalls. “And you get one on your debut album… it was a big surprise.” The song, penned by the Warren brothers alongside Stapleton, was offered to him as he was reviewing potential material. “They sent it to me and I said, ‘Well, that’s Stapleton singing.’ I was like, yeah, we’d love to cut this song.”
Recording the track was exhilarating but nerve-wracking. “Honestly, it was nerve-wracking because someday he’s gonna hear that song. I really looked up to him musically and personally. I wanted to do it justice,” Cooper explains. This moment embodies a central theme of Toledo Talkin’: reverence for country music’s traditions while boldly staking a place in its future.
The Heart of Toledo Talkin’
Cooper’s songwriting is central to the album’s power. He co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks, carefully curating material that reflects personal growth, resilience, and the human experience. “A lot of it’s about moving away from home and taking chances,” Cooper says. “That’s a majority of what the album is about just moving on and moving forward and doing new things.” From the first track to the last, the album is a journey, balancing vulnerability with strength. Cooper captures the highs and lows of life in a way that feels familiar yet fresh, turning ordinary experiences into relatable, emotionally charged stories.
Standout Tracks and Stories Behind Them
If This Table Could Talk
One of the album’s standout tracks, "If This Table Could Talk", demonstrates Cooper’s gift for taking everyday objects and imbuing them with meaning. Written with the Warren brothers, the song was inspired by Cooper’s family dining table, a fixture in countless household memories. “Brad mentioned, ‘I wonder if this table could tell stories?’ And I was like, oh my God, that’s the greatest idea ever,” he recalls.
The song’s production mirrors its storytelling heart. The acoustic opening, played on a vintage Gibson, immediately sets an intimate, organic tone. The listener is drawn in, feeling as if they are seated around that table themselves, hearing stories passed down through generations. It’s a song that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable, embodying the essence of what makes country music resonate.
2 Lies
In contrast, "2 Lies" was born from spontaneity, a late-night jam session with Eli Patrick that unexpectedly bloomed into a fully formed song. The track is a reminder that creativity often thrives in moments of serendipity, and Cooper’s ability to recognize and harness these moments distinguishes him as a songwriter.
Voice, Performance, and Connection with Fans
Cooper’s voice is the glue that binds Toledo Talkin’ together. Rich, versatile, and emotive, it conveys sincerity in every note, whether the song is an intimate ballad or an anthemic sing-along. On tour, fans have gravitated toward tracks like "Weak", a song that ignites spontaneous connection during live performances. “It’s cool to see people put a face to the music,” he says. “When I start singing it, you see their recognition they’ve heard it on the radio, and now they’re living it live.”
This connection isn’t just about music; it’s about authenticity. Cooper’s Midwestern roots anchor his sound. Songs like "Dark Places" and "Numbers On A Mailbox" reflect shared experiences and nostalgia, creating a bridge between his personal story and his audience’s lives.
“When I hear music from my heroes, it makes me want to go out and create,” Cooper says. “I hope young listeners get the same feeling from my album, that it motivates them to make great music and continue the process.”
In an era when authenticity often feels scarce, Cooper delivers an album that is both honest and ambitious. He doesn’t shy away from his roots, yet he doesn’t let them limit his reach. Instead, he uses them as a foundation for artistry that is timeless, relatable, and bound for stages large and small. Preston Cooper isn’t just here to participate; he’s here to leave a mark, to connect, and to remind us why storytelling remains at the heart of country music.
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