Old King Cole surname Coles) said his nickname was inspired by "Old King Cole". The "King" in Nat Cole's name was usually used in quotation marks during his lifetime, but today it is often seen as though it were part of his name. Cole Alexander of Atlanta punk band Black Lips has also adopted the name, and performs solo as Old King Cole Younger, a name also partially derived from Confederate guerilla and later Old West outlaw Cole Younger. The United States military has used versions of the traditional rhyme in the form of marching cadences, since at least the 1920s up to
Bob Cole (composer) booking contract with Michael Levitt. Although Cole was able to avoid the Troubadours’ schemes, in the end, he was not able to avoid the lawsuit against his company from Levitt, who fined Cole and Johnson $1000. Cole’s company faced several trials, including quarrels over finances and transportation; also, the competition of the Black Patti organization was a constant battle. Cole's group succeeded through Bob Cole’s skills in management and his inventiveness in black show business. By 1900, "A Trip to Coontown" finally stopped its production, and the partnership between Cole and Billy Johnson ended due to either Johnson’s alcoholic nature,