 Before the band's foundation, Cole Degges co-wrote songs for other country artists, including an album track for Kenny Chesney, as well as Tracy Byrd's 2006 single "Cheapest Motel" and Andy Griggs' 2008 single "Tattoo Rose".He also wrote Gary Allan's 2013 single "It Ain't the Whiskey".Cole Deggs & The Lonesome signed to Columbia Records Nashville in 2007, releasing their self-titled debut album that year.