Coltt Winter Lepley is the first artist I took a shot in the dark with and sent a message to, and surprisingly, he answered and wanted to do this, and I can’t thank him enough. Coltt’s debut self-titled EP is barely a week old and is amazing. If you haven’t listened to it yet, what are you doing? Go listen to it, then come back and read this. But for real, Coltt Winter Lepley will be a household name. This is one of the best debut EPs I’ve heard in a long time, and I thank him for letting me do a spotlight on him.

So… who is Coltt Winter Lepley?

---

1. What’s your name and where are you from?

My name’s Coltt Winter Lepley. I am from Bedford, Pennsylvania – North Appalachia. I always say Coltt like a horse but with two t’s, Winter like the season, and Lepley like myself. It’s my government name. 

2. When did you first start playing, what drew you in?

I have always enjoyed singing and writing. I started taking guitar more seriously in high school when my mom got her old Yamaha FG from the 70s out of the attic. The body angles are more aggressive but larger than a Martin dreadnought, and I’m not a big guy. I compare it to dancing with your first girlfriend at the middle school sock hop-awkward to hold. Good songwriting for me has the same appeal as fine literature or poetry, and I think they’re synonymous legs of the same three-legged dog. Fine line work describing the human condition really moves me, songwriting is just another access point when it’s done intentionally. Therefore, I do as much writing as I can across forms. 

3. How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music?

I usually say folk/americana. Genre is a fickle thing. I think my songs borrow elements from everything from old-time, traditional, bluegrass, rock, folk, americana, county, and even sea shanties. I usually say if you like music in the range from Jean Ritchie to John Prine to Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, then I’m your man. 

4. Who or what inspired you to start making music?

Like I said, I always enjoyed performing and singing and I always loved storytelling. To me, there was nobody cooler than a person who could tell a good story growing up. I grew up with both of my parents being really great storytellers just in their everyday lives, but my dad’s friends, in particular, could sit around for hours and spin yarns. True bullshitters, you know? Liars of the highest and lowest caliber. 

My mom bought me the Johnny Cash American Recordings box set from Walmart one Christmas, and it was really the first time I felt akin to the honesty in a song’s delivery. Also, it was cool because a lot of those songs are old folk songs and covers and was foundational at a young age for finding new influences and tracking them down when iTunes finally got invented. Later in college I paid for a class called “The Beatles” that I’m probably still paying off. It broke down their lyrics and music at close range and that inspired me to go home and write a number of my first attempts. It wasn’t long after I started gigging regularly. My first show was a little coffee shop in Johnstown, Pennsylvania (the town with that big flood that killed everybody in 1889). I slicked my hair back and wore a white necktie. I looked like a used car salesman and hid behind a gigantic music stand. I made twelve dollars and eighty-seven cents, and some heathen even threw in some flat batteries for a flashlight or something. It’s funny looking back on that day, but I was so excited I might as well have played the Opry. 

5. Artists who have influenced me the most?

Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Guy Clark, Jean Ritchie, Leadbelly, Elizabeth Cotton, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, etc. etc. The list goes on and on and changes all the time. My diagnosed OCD wishes for me to list every single one of them here, but I will not. I have a comprehensive list on my website for any curious parties. There seems to be a deep well of contemporary songwriters I really enjoy right now too. It’s a good time to be a fan of good songwriting. 

6. Favorite show/venue?

Most recently I just played the very first ticketed show back at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh, PA (which is kind of home field) since its new ownership and re-opening for my album release party. We sold it out, and I had a stellar band lineup including “Two-Show” Read Connolly who usually plays with JR Carroll and Zach Bryan. He had played on stage with The Lumineers at Star Lake the night prior, so it was a pleasure to have him. He played steel, dobro, and banjo. I also had Dave Shepherd who played bass and is as fine a flat-picker as they make. Skyler Scholl, formerly of The Roof, drummed for us. Devin Sherman from my hometown played electric lead, and Justin Long, who just came off tour with 2 different bands, fiddled for us. He was also the fiddle player on the album. So, all in all, that show was really incredible. Plus I got to wear a fringe coat from the 70s when I got off at the marketplace. I looked like a Dennis Hopper impersonator and I hope every grandmother in the room fell in love. 

Otherwise, I really enjoy when I get to travel to play. It’s always a pleasure to play in Nashville. I like playing in New England too, I lived up there for a number of years and I think it’s beautiful country. I enjoy playing out west as well, like the Ruffed Up Duck in Laramie, WY. I got to play SXSW this past year in Austin which included a stop at Willie Nelson’s Arlyn Studios, so that was special. Honestly, the venue doesn’t matter so much as a crowd that really gives a shit does. I’ve played for a crowd of 8500 people and a crowd of 2. As long as they’re feeling it, I’m feeling it–if that makes sense?

7. Dream Venue?

The Grand Ole Opry. Since I was a kid that’s been the goal. I’d love to play both the new Opry show and the Ryman of course. I’d love to get there while my parents are still solid enough to travel too. If I did that, I’d be happier than Andy Warhol at an aluminum foil sale. So if you or anybody reading has pull with those Opry folks, tell’em ole’ Coltt is ready. Red Rocks would cool. Gruene Hall would be cool. I have some places, but nothing is the Opry. 

8. Major turning points in my career?

During Covid I put my first originals out to the public via the internet. I got some good traction there and have done well since. I got management with Keystone Artist Connect (Pittsburgh grown) and they’ve gotten me to some cool places to play. I think finally deciding to just bite the bullet and go on steaming services with this EP release will serve me well. People have been enjoying these songs for a decade and it’s high time the masses do too I suppose. I recorded this EP with Charles Wesley Godwin’s support band, The Allegheny High, and those guys are top-shelf players of course, but also incredibly kind. I think my biggest shift is upcoming. 

9. What’s something about me people wouldn’t expect?

I used to be a racecar driver. I raced on dirt ovals for 13 years. Flat karts for a long time then sprint cars. I only ever had two dreams in this life, one was to be a racecar driver, and the other was to be some kind of artist. I’ve done both. Racing’s one of those things that is just such a monetary and time commitment. My family was far from rich, so I had to get really good at finding the funding to race. I think that helped me in my music career when it came time to book 200 shows a year. The worst someone can say is no. Get use to it, and it’ll never hurt you again. As a kid I wanted to angle towards a NASCAR career, but as I got older, the more I gravitated towards The World of Outlaws, Lucas Oil, etc. When that big time music money starts rolling in, I’d love to go sprint car racing again. Marty Robbins, Roy Clark, and Kenny Rodgers all raced or had their hands in it. In a perfect world, I could play the same cities I’m racing in on tour for both. 

I also have my MFA in Creative Writing focusing in fiction from Emerson College in Boston, MA. My racing career got put on hold when this opportunity presented itself. 

10. What do you hope people feel when they hear your music?

I want them to feel the human emotions I feel like we’ve gotten away from trying to feel. I have real bummer songs, down and outers that frankly are really satisfying to see people at shows cry during. Then, if I can bring them back in the very next song and make them laugh or nod their head in agreement, then I’m doing all I can do at my job. I just hope people feel something. I feel like the songwriters I enjoy most have that ability. That, and I hope people at my shows from all walks of life and backgrounds feel safe and included. 

11. What does success look like for you in music?

Like I said, I’d love to play the Opry. I think that would be a nice capstone for my career. Otherwise, I just hope people think of me in the category of songwriters like Townes and Prine or Isbell and Childers or anyone who has done it right. Music is my full-time gig. It pays all my bills which include big ole’ payments to Sallie Mae and she never forgets. I live on my own. I drive a Ram like my dad always has. I have a cool little place filled with art and books and instruments. I run a free community writing workshop and watch other folks’ talents flourish when I’m home. I just hope people like my songs. And even if they don’t, I wrote songs I would love to hear. I always said I never set out to play stadiums, but I would if stadiums came knocking. As long as people are getting something out of my songs, I’m doing the damn thing. 

12. How do you balance music with the rest of your life?

Frankly, my commitment to music is a hard and fast one. Since Kindergarten when they ask what you want to be when you grow up, I said an artist. This is what I’m put here to do. Make stuff and share it with people. Entertain. I mentioned I grew up racing. That always took precedence on my weekends and most week nights. Racing’s an incredibly selfish sport. You miss a lot of life events, it costs money and time, and you ask your family to watch your safety be put in jeopardy for your own fun every week. In those ways, being a full time musician isn’t so different. You’re fully committing your life towards entertaining a crowd in either career. I think a lot of people do music/life balance really well. I think I could improve if I’m looking at myself from a thousand-foot view. To be fully committed to anything can hurt those relationships though. Music is my life. It’s my career and passion. Like in racing, I’ve missed out on a lot of things–weddings, births, parties. Money makes life more comfortable. I’m still hungry and playing 200 shows a year to maintain the lifestyle I’ve chosen. Hopefully as things grow, my time at home can too. I’ve only had about 6 weeks off in 5 years due to illness. If I could physically play every night I would. This stuff means everything to me. 

13. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in music?

I’d say start writing your own songs as soon as possible and don’t take yourself so seriously as to paralyze your creativity. Don’t try and be anyone but yourself in that pursuit. I’d say avoid people who don’t share your vision or make fun of you for trying to make art. The world has enough insurance salesman (no hate to reader, if you are. Though, insurance is a scam). I’d also say if you’re playing shows, bully your originals into your sets. If a crowd is loud, tough shit. Someone requested “Country Roads?” Play Hazel Dickens “West Virgina, My Home.” Don’t sacrifice popularity for originality. Be unabashedly you. There will only ever be one of you on this floating rock in a forever developing space. It’s a miracle you’re here. Say what you want. Play your originals. Make them listen. 

14. Do you have any upcoming releases or projects you’re excited about?

Well, I feel like now that my EP has finally released I can briefly breath. I’d like to get back in the studio as soon as possible but that takes time and money and it will come as fast as it needs to. We have a mini documentary coming out in the fall with American Melodies, a side project of Wallflower Wanderer (in similar vein to Western AF, Truthful Sessions, Gems on VHS). I think these Lomaxian style songwriter channels have really done a service to folks like me. They (American Melodies) followed me around for a few days last year. It features interviews, show footage, and songs. One being a version of “Sunflower Creek” with my mentor of sorts, Kevin Kutz who is the finest folk artist (painter, and physical artist) in the Northeast. He also builds his own fiddles and is a world-class historian on old-time music and claw hammer banjo. We filmed in Barry Haver’s art studio here locally in Bedford, PA, “The Swinery at Barryland.” It includes Barry’s stained glass pieces, many in the form of his friends as pigs. One of those art pieces is called “Toilet Wizard” based on my original song. I also have an unreleased song in the doc called “Put Rocks On My Grave,” that highlights Appalachian funeral traditions. I look forward to that release. 

15. Where can people follow your musical journey?

My website is always my go-to. I had a scare with Instagram last year that kicked me out of my profile with no explanation or reasoning. Since then, I became even more frustrated than I already was with these billionaire social media conglomerates. I own my website. That matters. But of course, you have to be where the people are. Folks can find me on all the places, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, and I think that’s all. I applaud artists like Jodi Jones, a fellow folksinger originally from PA who have bucked the major streamers. I avoided it for as long as I thought I could. Steam her, by the way. Most of my handles are “Coltt Winter Lepley” (@colttwinterlepley) or some variation. My website is (colttwinterlepley.com). Folks can subscribe to my quarterly newsletter “The Hootenanny” there. I won’t bother you much, just every once and awhile for insider stories and fun updates. And of course, cool places like Get Western! Thanks!