Chase Rice has taken an unusual path to fame. He first caught the public’s eye as a castaway on Survivor: Nicaragua. Prior to that taste of reality TV fame, the country crooner was a starting linebacker for the University of North Carolina and was also a NASCAR pit crew team member after college.
Eventually, the young ‘Jack of All Trades’ turned his attention to seeking country music stardom. After relocating to Nashville in late 2010, Rice was completely on his own. No record label. No manager. No song on the radio. But Rice had a budding reputation as a solid performer and what you really need in life… drive.
Rice recorded his Dirt Road Communion album on his own label, playfully dubbed “Dack Janiels”. The album beat the odds and debuted as number 48 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and was also the number 6 download on iTunes. An impressive total of 30,000 copies of Rice’s debut album were sold. That number caught the eye of Nashville’s music industry movers and shakers!
Besides that major feat, Rice also co-wrote the history-making Florida Georgia Line single “Cruise.” The catchy single spent more weeks in the #1 slot on the country singles chart than any other song in country music history.
Despite the amazing success of “Cruise,” Rice is determined to not let one song define his work as a singer/songwriter. He has no plans of resting on his laurels and is busy propelling his career forward. Rice is focused on building his own fan base, touring, and writing songs with other proven writers such as Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, and Chris DeStefano.
Just check out the singer’s amazing skills displayed in this heartfelt “Carolina Can” lyric video.
Sony Music Nashville recording label Columbia Nashville snapped up the young crooner and his major-label debut Ignite The Night dropped on August 19th and can be purchased on iTunes. In true Chase Rice fashion, the record debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and has sold 66,000 copies in the United States.
The talented artist from North Carolina isn’t afraid to play with different sounds, incorporate new musical viewpoints, and take a page from other songwriters. Through his meteoric journey to the top, Rice has remained humble, grateful, and fiercely loyal to his jacked-up ’85 Chevy Silverado pictured below.
He is sure to enjoy a long and rich career in Nashville and beyond.
