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Colton Bowlin’s sophomore album, Grandpa’s Mill, combines a tribute to his late grandfather with hints of yearning, bringing himself back to familiar places while chasing stardom on the country music front.

“It's a really personal project for me because me and my grandpa [were] so close,” Colton confides. “So, finally putting this out and then hopefully having people relate to what I wrote about is going to mean everything to me.”

Grandpa’s Mill tells a fluid story from the first track, “Clinton County,” to the final chord that closes the storybook; his confessional songwriting weaves listeners through 40 minutes of understated yet poignant country music.

“The whole record is kind of about time getting away and wishing to go back to home and the place that is home to you,” he shares.

“Clinton County” dives deep into that mantra — wanting to go back to Clinton County and finding pieces of himself still at home at the mill with lyrics like, “sounds of this city push away this Hillbilly.”

Inside those places of home sits his grandfather’s mill, where Bowlin spent much of his time growing up.

“Just mostly memories of my grandpa, and around all of his buddies and just hearing all the stuff that they'd have to say and all the tall tales that they would tell. That's kind of what just sparked all this.”

The stories, now turned into songs, act as a time capsule, capturing moments that belong not only to Bowlin but those who shaped him as well. One certain track, Colton says, is the heart of this theme.

“'Time for Sale' is the track on there that really should be the standout track. I think it's more of the focus track than anything,” he shares. “... ‘There's glories in the story, but all the stories ain't mine,’ is what one of the lines is. I agree with that 100%. Like all these stories I'm telling throughout the record, not all my stories.”

But that doesn’t make those messages any less impactful for the artist at the heart of it all or for listening ears worldwide. All of the songs are experiences waiting to be shared, moments meant to fuel campfire nights and long drives where the soundtrack matters.

“I wanted to put them in a place of being at home or wishing that they could go back to that place,” he says. “I think if they feel that way, then I did my job.”

With no co-writers, all 12 tracks come straight from the heart — and the Notes app — of the rising country singer.

“I've tried collaborating with other people, but the solo thing just seems to be more my thing,” he remembers. “The writing process… I can't sit down and write the songs. It's completely full in the Notes app right now. I use it quite a bit, more a day than I ever have.”

Songwriting came as second nature, as poetry and English were a backbone for the young artist. However, his progression from his first album, Songs from the Holler to Grandpa’s Mill is not one to overlook.

“Songwriting has definitely drastically changed for me,” he says. “I feel a lot more confident in what I'm writing these days than I did at that time. In 2024, that whole record was just some songs I'd been working on and just thought I wanted to get something out there. I was always more of an album guy. So I wanted to come out with a full-length record.”

Grandpa’s Mill is a seamless work of storytelling mixed with thoughtful production. It is more than an album… It is a tribute.

“I'm itching to get it out. I just can't wait to hear what everybody thinks about it… getting them out finally is really a dream come true for me.”

No matter what stage Bowling takes in the future, one person continues fueling his fire — and songwriting — through it all: his grandfather.

“I think that he would like the record. He for sure would be proud, you know, that I'm doing something. I always told him that I'd try to make something of myself, and I'm trying to keep my word,” he says. “One of the songs on the record, ‘Keep Your Word,’ it's one of my favorites that I have written.”

Listen to Grandpa's Mill below and don't miss your chance to see Colton Bowlin live: