CHASE RICE

This Carolina reared, good-times tunesmith must be dripping adrenaline from beneath his backwards ball cap as he’s always at full throttle both on and off the stage. Beneath the party up persona, you’ll find the persistent passion of a college football linebacker, the drive of a NASCAR crew member and ultimately the level-headed, hard working values that are the result of a close family unit (and a mom that whipped him into shape). “That guy you see on stage having the time of his life is the same guy you get behind the scenes. Some artists turn on a switch and you’re like ‘where did that come from?’ but for me --- this is it. I’m a ball cap and t-shirt guy to the core. We’ll roll out some songs and I may even join you for a few when we’re wrapped and ready to head out.” It hard to believe that at such a young age, Chase truly has encountered all of the life experience mentioned above. While he had Garth blasting from his radio at an early age, he never thought about picking up the guitar until after an injury took him off the field at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. “I started playing guitar and I’ll never forget a piece of advice from my dad. He said ‘boy anyone can play guitar, but no one is gonna really listen to you until you start singing.’” Those words would be the first turn on a new course for Chase, but his journey to the stage would take a few more turns (especially a lot of left ones). After graduation, Chase tackled a scene that many race fans only dream of by securing a spot on the celebrated Hendrick Motorsports pit crew. While NASCAR served as his day job, he spent his nights either writing songs or going to small bars around Charlotte and playing live. He would also spend any free weekends he had flying to Nashville to perform in writer’s rounds and continuing to build his knowledge of the music scene. While honing his songwriting skills, this performer with an unwavering competitive spirit landed a slot on the hit TV show Survivor. Viewers tuned in each week to see the southern bred relentless participant blaze through each challenge taking him through to the final episode. The program would serve as a spring board bringing Chase to his current home in Music City where he continues to pierce through the sea of rising acts and stake career benchmarks within the industry. “We had a great introduction with the EP Country As Me last year and the video for ‘Buzz Back,’ so I expect Dirt Road Communion will continue to validate my grassroots approach. As my belt buckle beckons, ‘Cowboy Up!’ and just enjoy the ride.” Dirt Road Communion marks the first full length project for Chase serving up his concoction of contemporary country spiked with shots of rocking guitars, explosive crescendos, hands in the air grooves and lyrical content that swings like a pendulum from loud and fun to dark and vulnerable. When his isn’t on stage opening up for acts like Jake Owen, Sara Evans, Lee Brice or Corey Smith, you’ll find him penning tomorrow’s hits with his songwriting circle that continues to grow. Aside from the Carolina blue, Chase has no qualms about rocking some camo-green on hunting trips with his brothers tracking deer, quail, pheasant or turkey. Chase is also a phene for America’s past times. This football and baseball fan, known for rocking his backwards Braves hat on more than one occasion, has delivered an indie project that is truly a grand slam for a new act lining him up to be a David Freese of the music scene and an MVP (Most Valuable Performer) to watch in 2012.