For years, Cooper Alan has been the life of the party as he’s the guy who could turn a bar floor into a dance floor with a single chorus. But with his new single “Hard Acre,” out now, the North Carolina native is slowing things down and showing a side of himself that fans haven’t fully seen before.
“I just wanted to write something that was real and meant something,” Cooper tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “As I’ve gotten closer to 30 — and now with a baby on the way — I’ve learned to take a step back and really soak in every moment. That’s what ‘Hard Acre’ is all about.”
The track, which blends nostalgic storytelling with the kind of emotional grit that hits deep, marks the first taste of Winston-Salem — Cooper’s long-awaited debut full-length album due out November 7. Named after his hometown, the project is both a tribute and a homecoming.
“Winston-Salem is my hometown. It’s the best place in the world. It’s the place that shaped me,” he says. “It has two words in it, and the album has two sides — Winston for the reflective stuff and Salem for the rowdy stuff. It just fit perfectly.”
If his 2023 EP Take Forever told the story of falling in love and getting married, Winston-Salem takes that next step — diving into fatherhood, family, and the full-circle feeling of returning to your roots.
Cooper’s new single captures that shift beautifully. Written with Derek Bahr, Zachary Kale, Joseph Patton, and produced by Seth Mosley and Michael “X” O’Connor, “Hard Acre” paints a vivid picture of love, loss, and the bittersweet nostalgia that comes from leaving a piece of yourself behind.
“It’s not exactly my first house or anything,” he explains, “but it’s a reflection of where I’m at in life — slowing down, realizing how brief this journey is, and just trying to enjoy every second of it.”
For fans who’ve followed Cooper from viral TikToks to sold-out tours, the song might sound like a departure. But to him, it’s growth. “Half of me is reflective and emotional — songs about life, family, and love,” he says. “The other half of me is just… wild. The crazy, boundary-pushing stuff that makes my live shows what they are. Winston-Salem is both sides of that coin.”
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When it came to building his debut record, Cooper didn’t have to look far for inspiration, as he found it right at home.
“My hometown has always had my back,” he shares. “I’ve heard so many artists say their town didn’t really get what they were doing, but I had the exact opposite experience. Before my friends could even show up to bars, my parents’ friends would be there. They supported me from day one.”
That community-first spirit shines through his new music — and through his growing foundation, which supports mental health causes. The Cooper Alan Foundation has become one of his proudest achievements, raising money for veterans and individuals in need.
“It means everything,” he says. “I always thought I’d have to wait until I was ‘bigger’ to make an impact, but my family encouraged me to just start. And now we’re planning our next event for March, focusing on veterans’ mental health.”
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With “Hard Acre” marking the start of a deeply personal chapter, Cooper’s debut album promises to be his most dynamic work yet, as its a reflection of who he is both on and off the stage.
He laughs when asked which side of Winston-Salem he’d live in for a week. “Probably the rowdy side,” he says, grinning. “But that’s just because I just got off six straight days on the tour bus. Ask me tonight — we’re celebrating our anniversary — and I might have a different answer.”
No matter which side fans lean toward, one thing’s for sure: Winston-Salem is shaping up to be the kind of debut that proves Cooper Alan isn’t just another viral sensation; he’s here to stay. And if “Hard Acre” is any indication, November 7 is about to sound like home.
Make sure to listen to “Hard Acre” below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
