Local artist from Greenfield, Kara Cole expresses the hardships, accomplishments, and emotions of being an up-and-coming artist.

At a young age, Kara found her passion for music through her grandpa and uncle who supported her every step of the way.

“I have a lot of musicians in my family. My grandpa used to play music and so did my uncle,” said Cole.

She received a guitar from her parents in elementary school, participated in a show choir in high school, and started performing at local hangouts at the age of twenty. 

“My parents got me a guitar when I was in fourth or fifth grade and I started writing songs and teaching myself how to play the guitar,” said Cole.

Although she has had setbacks, including the loss of her grandma, Kara has persevered through it all. Her song, “Mary Francis,” conveys the close bond she held with her grandmother and the struggle of her Alzheimer’s. This was the first country song she wrote, as it was her grandma’s favorite genre of music. This made Kara feel reconnected with her in the rough time after her passing.

 “I had never tried to write a country song, and she loved country music, so that was my real first take on trying to do something that maybe would feel like I was connected to her,” said Cole. 

She has recently released four new songs and had a successful release party at the Hi-Fi in Indianapolis. For Kara music is more than a career, it is a beloved part of her life that she deeply cherishes.

 “I feel like I’m always anxiously anticipating this thing that I love,” said Cole. 

When she’s not performing or writing songs, Kara is helping others. She, along with her mom, and aunt, owns a women’s sober living house and an at-risk youth program called “The Landing Place.” With this, they help struggling kids and women who are seeking help. 

“I’m the house manager and I’m a recovery coach…” said Cole. 

Throughout the week this is where Kara spends most of her time. She puts in approximately fifty hours here a week while performing music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. She is a prime example of how hard work and dedication pay off. Kara has met many of her goals within her career, accomplishing going solo after being a duo for seven years, recording songs with Laney Wilson’s band, and releasing her music. 

“I have opened for some really incredible people, I’ve played a lot of really cool venues, I’m recording with Laney Wilson’s band. There is a lot of really cool things happening very quickly,” said Cole.

She isn’t stopping here. Kara has her eyes set on moving to Nashville where she hopes to grow her career further. However, this isn’t her only goal. Kara hopes to return to school to become a therapist later in life. 

“I love human beings, I love to know people’s story…if there is something I can do to help someone and give back at all, that’s kind of the goal,” said Cole.

Taking her own advice and working to share it with others, Kara is pursuing her dreams. She is now recording new songs in Nashville, Tennessee, and performing in various venues. She is thriving. 

 When asked to give a piece of advice to others who aspire for success Kara shared, “The goal is to be your authentic self and realize you are already good enough exactly as you are.”