In many ways, Caroline Kole is a young soul. And she should be — she’s only 16. But already, she’s been climbing the country music charts and earning airtime.
Still, the Tampa Bay native, who now lives in Nashville, gets excited about the little things in life. She remembers her first snow day in Tennessee.
Kole has been performing at a variety of venues since she was 10 years old. This will be the fourth year the up-and-coming artist will perform at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
“I’m honored to be considered a veteran on that stage,” Kole says. “It’s huge. I’m so excited to perform and be back home.”
For the past year, Kole has opened for Reba McEntire, who also signed Kole to her record label, Starstruck Entertainment. She hopes to announce another year of touring at this year’s festival and can’t wait to get her hands on some Krispy Kreme hamburgers and funnel cake.
“Touring with Reba has just been incredible,” Kole says. “All her friends and fans are becoming mine.”
In addition to having the Queen of Country by her side, Kole also has benefited from her longtime relationship with the festival. Kole began performing in Plant City when she was just a pre-teen.
“Paul (Davis, general manager) and Lee (Bakst, assistant manager) were so kind to let me play,” Kole says. “I was only 12 and didn’t even have a band. Our band formed for the festival. Then, we all moved to Nashville.”
Kole just recorded her first music video, “Money to Me,” on her birthday. It rose in the CMT video rankings by fan vote. Kole saw many of her fans from the Plant City area voting for her video. She also has stayed connected with fans from Shiloh Charter School, where she performed when she was just 10 years old. She recently released a six-track EP.
Although her career has taken her out of the Sunshine State, Kole says she always will be a hometown girl.
“Performing at every event is incredible,” Kole says. “The bigger the better, but I prefer my hometown crowd. It’s so nice to see familiar faces. And after I get off the stage, I can go to my grandma’s house, swim in the pool and eat chicken fingers.”
CAROLINE KOLE
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8
TICKETS: Free
WEBSITE: carolinekole.com