Monarch Artist Feature: Tyrone Cotton

By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson 

If you’ve been around Louisville’s music scene for any amount of time, Tyrone Cotton is a name you likely know. For the last 30 years, he’s been a cornerstone of the community, serving up legendary tunes that blend soul, folk, blues, jazz, and rock.

Cotton’s raw talent is apparent, yet he takes a modest attitude toward making music: “It’s like any other thing… It brings joy. It can help you focus. And, you’ve got to work at it.” Spending time with him at the Monarch felt like a gift. We bonded over our thoughts on poet Walt Whitman and shared many laughs. His warm friendliness is almost as captivating as how naturally he plays guitar and sings. Softly fingerpicking, Cotton dreamt up a new lyric or two during our time together. When I asked him if this was his norm for songwriting, he expressed that the process takes many different forms: “Sometimes I have a unifying idea and can hone it in and get it out. Sometimes I don’t necessarily have something specific to say–I work with the melody or type of music first and then color in the tune with chords or harmonies. Mostly, I think things kind of stew for me to tweak and come back to. I think about or write down a lyrical idea and look back later to start adding to it if there’s anything there. Maybe it doesn’t fit, or I come up with a bunch of other stuff and there’s just one thing there that I really like, but it works really well with something else. Songs may even get stripped for spare parts.” Flexibility with his songwriting process has allowed him to create many magical songs that translate what’s on Cotton’s heart.

While he’s played stages all over the country and internationally, including being featured at the Kyoto International Folk Festival in Japan several times, Louisville is home for Cotton, where he finds other musicians supportive and encouraging, as well aswilling to collaborate on projects. “It’s always good to have a community out there.” The Monarch has given him audiences unlike any other. “The people who come here, to the listening room, are really serious about music. You know you’re going to meet people who are really invested.”

Cotton hopes that those listening to his music simply find some pleasure and get some enjoyment out of it. “There’s every kind of music out there. Maybe what I’ll do fits in somewhere for someone. We’re all part of the same tree.”

A fun evening is in store! On February 13th, get your tickets for Cotton’s show at the Monarch with Walter Parks. “Walter was the side man with the legendary Richie Havens, of Woodstock fame, for 10 years. He’s also done some archival work that they’ve used at the Library of Congress. He’s got a great voice and is a fine player and songwriter.” You’ll hear songs from Cotton’s latest album Man Like Me, and maybe even a few new tunes.

If you miss the Monarch show, youcan still catch him at the KentuckyPerforming Arts Center onMarch 29th. Check outtyronecotton.com for more.