Cole was born in LaPorte, Indiana May 21, 1951 and died February 4, 2020 at her home in Kouts at age 68. Trilly took to the stage by singing at the age of three. By the age of six she played the guitar. At ten she had learned several other instruments. Then a neighbor dug an old banjo out of his attic and told Trilly if she could learn to play a song on it within one week, she could keep the banjo. She wanted that banjo and by the end that week she learned to play Hey Mr. Banjo. She kept the banjo and has been playing ever since. She also began her own band at the age of ten. She appeared on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour and was then on the road at the age of 18.

Cole’s musical career took her to Printers Alley in Nashville where she played at the well-known Captains Table for fifteen years. She moved on to Las Vegas, Detroit and other musical venues where she was the opening act for many well-known country stars. While in Michigan she was endorsed by Gibson Guitars.