Meet Cordell Winter

We recently connected with Cordell Winter and have shared our conversation below.

Cordell, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

In regard to the world tour across the U.S. and Europe coming up in 2026 — supporting the new album Leave This World Alive that I created with members of Cage the Elephant — and your question about how I keep my creativity alive, I’ve always felt that balance is a necessity. You have to stay in tune with why you’re pursuing music in the first place. You have to understand the underlying truths of this life — the ones that hold weight in both life and death — and keep anchored to helping others rediscover the rawest form of freedom and fearlessly pursue that edge.

For me, creativity has always come from diving into the darks and the lights that make up this world and trying not to get swallowed by either of them. I think it’s pretty potent to say that following the road less traveled is the best way to find real introspection and sincere revelation in creativity.

Personally, I’m devoted to finding space whenever that third sense inside me goes off — that feeling of being unbalanced. Everything plays a part: the food you eat, the media you take in, the environments you place yourself in, the people you spend your time around. All of it shapes who you become… or who you’re trying to become.

Being on the road as a touring musician means you’re surrounded by everything imaginable — the chaos, the energy, the temptations. And if you’re not aligned with some internal compass or a greater reason for pursuing your dreams, the hedonism that comes with concerts and events can blur the lines very quickly. You can get swept away by it all.

So for me, I escape into places that inspire the deepest levels of introspection. I’ve lived through darker moments than most people will ever know about me, mixed up in many layers of struggle and wrath. Because of that, seeking things untouched by man — and only made by God — has become a lifeline of all the truth one would ever need. It’s where I find true wisdom. And at this point, it’s not a choice. It’s a necessity for my creativity and poetic search.

I remember a few years ago when I was inches away from signing with Lava Records—working with the ex-manager of Paramore, an A&R who discovered Matchbox Twenty, and doing multiple showcases for Mike Dungan the chairman of Universal Music Group amongst many others all at Universal house of blues studios in Berry Hill (Nashville, TN). For a stretch of time, everything in my life felt like it was in full-color. Music, girls, substance, tours, magick, legendary festivals across the country, late nights with celebrities—this wild, electric rise the moment I landed in Nashville and caught people’s attention jumping on every stage I pushed my way onto and sleeping on the doorsteps of studios until they recorded me.

But by the end of that few years, everything hit a wall with that universal studios house of blues group. The band fell apart—some of the guys couldn’t handle what it means to live on the road full-time and when asked to tour another year they faded out, and a few shady industry people and managers got in the way. Then came the crossroads: social media and TikTok. Suddenly the industry cared more about follower counts than the fact that we were out there doing it the old-school way—selling real tickets, filling real rooms, and building a fanbase face-to-face across the country.

I spent years writing in the studio until four or five in the morning, day after day, while living homeless out of a van in Nashville, touring nonstop, starving but creating like my life depended on it. And still, the wall hit—hard. Social media had become louder than the music itself. The turmoil in the studio built up until everything finally collapsed.

When it fell apart, it devastated me. I was closer to death—mentally, emotionally, spiritually—than I had ever been in my life. And I felt myself slipping toward that edge.

So I left for California after getting a phone call about a manager and an opportunity out there. I took off in the van I’d been living in full-time for over seven years and headed west.

What kept me centered in my creativity was the silence of that drive. As I crossed the desert, I reached places so quiet you could hear your thoughts drop louder than a stadium applause roar. You could hear a pin hit the ground from a mile away. That silence became a kind of spiritual medicine.

One story in particular stays with me. I was in the Petrified Forest in Arizona, trying to understand the meaning of my journey. It looked like Mars — a place of absolute desolation, a void of beauty and space with no sign of life anywhere.

The next morning, I woke up to something rustling outside the van — an animal digging through the trash I’d left out the night before. When I opened the door, I saw a raven. A single sign of life that I had seen in days.

And with no exaggeration, the raven started talking to me. Clicking, croaking, inching close. I fed him and spoke to him for an hour or so. In that moment of despair, questioning everything about my life’s work, I felt a bond with this creature deeper than anything I’d ever experienced. When he finally flew off, something inside me felt blessed — like I had found a spirit animal sent for that moment.

Later, I learned what the raven symbolizes. In many Native cultures, the raven is the keeper of light, a creator figure, a bringer of rebirth. A protector spirit. A guide through transitions. A being that casts light into darkness.

And all at once, it hit me: the Creator had sent me a sign. A reminder that this wasn’t the end of my story — it was the beginning of a new cycle. The snake catching its tail. Rebirth.

Some time later, in Sedona, I had another experience. I was sitting on a vortex, lamenting, trying to understand my connection to music, and I received a vision. A message:

“To play for all who are willing to listen.”

That has stayed with me. More and more, I’ve tried to distance myself from the idea of fame and recognize that the journey itself — as fragile and intimate as it is — is the real calling. God’s will always moves. And when you separate ego from desire, you become a vessel.

As Arthur Rimbaud believed, true poets don’t speak from personal experience alone — they become conduits for something greater. Visions. Voices. Universal truths. The “I” breaks away from the ego.

And as I’ve grown, I’ve realized I’ve been given all the gifts I need. The challenge now is the discipline to wield them correctly — to help the people around me find love, connection, and the freedom they’re searching for. Everyone wants to be loved and seen. Through music, I feel I can help people redefine their lives and remember what true freedom really means.

My creativity comes from giving deep respect to silence — listening closely to the spaces between the noise.

A very, very long story short — one that’s still being written — after traveling the West then back east, going from nearly taking my own life to standing on headlining stages, everything changed. I played Sturgis Buffalo Chip for two consecutive years on the bill with Jelly Roll and others. I played SEI CONN with Ziggy Marley at the Virgin Hotel Theater. Worked on film sets with Billy Bob Thornton. Performed alongside Billy Corgan and Stone Temple Pilots. Had a song used by Conor McGregor for bare knuckle fighting. Headlined major festivals like Summerfest and Sturgis Buffalo Chip

And now, in 2026, I’m going on a full European and U.S. world tour after working with Lincoln Parish of Cage the Elephant — all with no label, no management, just myself and the people I love.

I took it upon myself to be the keeper of my own destiny. To define my success — not let other people’s opinions define it.

The ride is far from over.

If anything, all of this has shown me that the journey is the dream. And if your heart is truly on fire for what you love, you can become it by sheer will.

I want to end by saying how truly grateful I am for the ones who stood by me throughout the pivotal moments of my life. I’ll always hold a special place for them in my soul — whether they’re near or far. I’m thankful for everyone who played a role, everyone who believed in me when the path was uncertain.

Now I hope I can continue to give the world something to believe in.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Cordell Winter is a humble and passionate singer-songwriter whose journey embodies resilience, authenticity, and a deep love for music. Blending rock ‘n’ roll with folk and poetic introspection, his songs explore themes of rebellion, self-discovery, and connection, resonating with listeners on a profound level. Inspired by legends like Bob Marley, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, and Bob Dylan, Winter carves his own lane among modern innovators like Cage the Elephant, Turnstile, and Yungblud, bridging the timeless with the contemporary.

From performing over 1,000 shows to sharing stages and moments with celebrated artists such as Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Stone Temple Pilots, Billy Bob Thornton, Vince Neil, Loretta Lynn, Kid Rock, Theo Von, and Jelly Roll, amongst others, Winter’s path has been marked by gratitude and dedication. His performances—whether at iconic venues like the Sturgis Buffalo Chip or Milwaukee Summerfest—stand out for their raw energy and heartfelt sincerity, offering audiences an unforgettable, genuine connection in a world craving authenticity.

In a testament to the reach and impact of his music, Winter’s song “No Pain” was also personally chosen by UFC icon Conor McGregor to soundtrack the release of Bareknuckle in the official Sturgis documentary/movie — a rare nod that speaks to the emotional intensity and motivational power behind Winter’s work.

While his journey has included its fair share of struggles—homelessness, rejection, and the chaos of the music industry—Winter’s perseverance and love for his craft continue to guide him forward. His music, described as both poetic and provocative, melds chaos with purpose, delivering not just sound but stories that encourage reflection and unity.

With a highly anticipated new album on the way being produced by Cage the Elephant’s Lincoln Parish, Winter’s creativity shows no signs of slowing down. His upcoming projects promise to bring singer-songwriter connection, ethereal sounds, punk rock undertones, and his signature blend of vulnerability and passion. Beyond music, Winter looks forward to sharing his thoughts and experiences as an author of his soon-to-be-published books, further cementing his role as a poet pushing the ledge of the human spirit.

For Cordell Winter, music is more than a career—it’s a way to connect, awaken, and inspire. He reminds aspiring artists to stay true to their voice, embrace anti-conformity, and persevere, no matter the challenges. As he prepares for his fall, spring and summer tours, Winter remains grounded by his belief in the power of music to bring people together, offering hope and humanity in every song and every performance.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Qualities – Empathy, compassion and selflessness …. Things I’m trying to become better at daily.
Infinite love and the realization all beings want to be loved and seen.

Skills – Relentlessness, Ruthless Ambition, A Warrior like mentality, Outwork others,

Knowledge – Escape social media and media as truth, read the highest level thinking of books from people who spent years studying their craft, speak from a place that’s going to align with not ideals but with universal truths.

I think patience is key…. Desperation can kill anyone on their journey and listening more than you speak and speaking only when you truly have something worth saying.

I feel if the heart calls to the purpose you’ll always be on the path your meant to be on.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I would say my father Blaise Winter has always been a backbone in my life. Whenever I fell into self-pity or weakness, he had a way of pulling strength out of adversity — not just in me, but in anyone around him. A true hero to many, with a legacy that proves it.

It’s neat… I recently found out that on my father’s side, my family is full of Austrian heroes who helped shape the world we live in — political leaders of Austria and figures who influenced America. I’m related to the real-life Von Trapp family, as seen and portrayed in movie/musical The Sound of Music, who share roots with our lineage.

Ernst Karl Winter (1895–1959) was an Austrian sociologist, journalist, politician, and activist. A World War II global hero

Ernst Florian Winter was a renowned American historian and political scientist — the first director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna after World War II and chairman of the International Council of the Austrian Service Abroad.

And there are many more.

Recently, I became a dual citizen because of the events of World War II and the long line of heroes before me. I feel honored to carry that legacy forward — to redefine, to create, and hopefully, to help make the world a better place.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@Mattworkscinema

Matt Workman

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