Coleridge Tillman, better known as Sebastian Kole in Hollywood, has made a name for himself as a successful songwriter, but the Birmingham native is making a change in his music career.

Kole grew up in the Dolomite neighborhood of Birmingham. Growing up, he honed in on his musicianship by joining the Birmingham Boys Choir, eventually going to the University of Alabama. He graduated from UA with a degree in Music Technology.

After graduation, Kole co-wrote songs for Jennifer Lopez and Flo Rida that helped him land a music deal with EP Entertainment and Motown in 2012. He left Birmingham, moved to Los Angeles and wrote his biggest hit for Alessia Cara, “Here.” That song ultimately won her a Grammy in the Best New Artist category. After that he went on to work with artists including Alicia Keys, John Legend and Usher.

Since then, Kole has reinvested in Birmingham. His family bought the longtime Birmingham business, Michael’s Restaurant with a rooftop bar named after the songwriter, Bar Sebastian.

But today, Kole has developed a new persona, Pynk Beard. That identity, visible in the pink whiskers on his chin, allows him to delve into country music, something he said was always a part of him due to his Alabama roots.

In the last year, Kole wrote a song with country artist Shaboozy in mind, but every time he submitted it, the A&R representatives told him that he should keep the song for himself.

“I thought they were saying, ‘Don’t send me this no more – it’s trash,’” he said. “But eventually I sent it to a producer friend of mine, and he said, ‘Hey my wife thinks you should do this yourself.’

“That same day, a good friend of mine in Ireland called me and told me that, ‘Bro, God told me to tell you, you have spent the last 10 years putting batteries in everybody else’s back, it’s time for you to come out and shine,’ and I’m thinking, ‘What?!,‘” Beard said.

The song he shopped around is called “One Slow Dance.” That song will be on his upcoming album, “Sugar and Salt.” And the song is already making rounds on social media.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin shared Pynk Beard’s clip of his new song on Facebook and Instagram, just one day after Beard posted on his own page.

While Beard gave his interview to AL.com during an interview at Yo Mama’s Restaurant, the restaurant cashier, a police officer, and another diner stopped by his table to say how much they enjoyed his new song.

According to Beard, he hasn’t even officially put the song out.

“That feels so weird to me! I’m not used to that! Not as an artist,” he said. “As a songwriter, people know that I write songs and say they’re proud of me. This little moment where people are recognizing me as an artist…I’m like what?! Okay,” Beard said. He smiled, showing off a diamond-studded grill.

At the end of the day, Beard said, he wants people to experience good music and to feel inspired by it.

“I want them to remember what it was like to be real and vulnerable!” he said.

On Jan. 31st, Pynk Beard will be performing at Michael’s Restaurant. Tickets start at $20.