It was 2012 when Chase Rice realized things were getting good.
“I remember the Florida Georgia Line guys sent me a video from their show in St. Louis, and that was the first time I thought, ‘Oh shit, I made it,” Rice says. “That was the first time I realized that country music wasn’t just a southeastern thing.”
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Rice’s star shot high over the Midwestern sky on that night in St. Louis. He was the co-writer of FGL’s massive hit “Cruise,” which single-handedly made “bro-country” erupt like never before. In fact, the ground-breaking song went on to become the best-selling digital country single of all time.
But that was just the beginning for Rice.
Over the past decade or so, Rice has solidified his place as one of the most rock-steady in the country music genre. He’s been compared to mainstays such as Eric Church and lauded as an artist who refuses to cave to fleeting trend.
Rice’s boots are planted firmly in the North Carolina dirt he was raised on with the release of his new album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell, a 13-song collection that he will play to its full extent during a May 4 stop at The Factory during his Way Down Yonder Tour.
“These shows are completely different than any shows I’ve ever done,” says Rice, stopping for a moment to give some love to his dog, Jack. “It’s music at its most raw form without all the bells and whistles, so it is harder, but that makes it way more fun for me. And they ain’t leaving until we’re done playing. It’s not just like, ‘Hey, we’re going to drill you with my hits and then some covers and throw the biggest party. It’s an actual musical show now.”
The “Eyes on You” hitmaker says he thinks fans can feel the difference. “People feel my energy,” he says. “They feel the rawness. They feel the emotions of the night, which is awesome.”
One of those emotions is felt deeply at the point of the show where Rice introduces his new song, “Bench Seat,” which touches on Rice’s dear friend’s brush with suicide.
“My best buddy in the world almost killed himself, but didn’t because of his dog,” Rice says quietly. “I just try to bring positivity, I try to make people happy, and I try to make sure that people are not thinking about anything else going on in their world.”
Chase Rice will play The Factory with special guest Connor Smith on May 4. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $34.50.
