Chayce Beckham Candidly Cultivates Connection With Debut Album [Interview]
Photo: Robby Klein
Since becoming the first contestant to win American Idol with original music in 2021, country artist Chayce Beckham has proved that staying true yourself as well as writing about and recording what’s real to you will always resonate with others and cultivate connection in various ways. Today (April 5), he released his debut album, Bad For Me, which is a testament to just that—exploring personal themes of substance abuse, guilt and remorse. Prior to its release, Beckham took some time to speak with MusicRow about how Bad For Me came to be.
Beckham is credited as a writer on nine of the candid collection’s 13 tracks, three of which he penned solo. The self-written trio includes “23,” the hit he performed on the singing competition that recently became his first No. 1 at country radio. The Platinum-certified tune’s accompanying visual is nominated for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Music Awards, taking place this Sunday (April 7). The singer-songwriter notes that the vision he had for the “23” video really came to life throughout its creation process.
“I didn’t want it represent just me in particular. The kid in the video is a younger version of me, but he’s also a version of so many other young men out there that are in similar situations. I’m really proud of it,” he says. “I try to make everything as authentic as possible, and I hope that by making that character [ambiguous], it makes more people feel something.”
Apart from “23,” the album was produced by Bart Butler, and includes lead track “Devil I’ve Been,” redolent number “Everything I Need” and smooth-sounding “Whiskey Country,” all of which Beckham co-wrote with John Pierce and Lindsay Rimes. The other two solo-writes, “Mama” and “Drink You Off My Mind,” were inked before Beckham entered the spotlight. Inspired by a wide range of influences across genres, the Apple Valley, California native always wanted to pursue music and taught himself how to play guitar. He started a band and began writing at the age of 19. He feels it’s easier to take risks when he writes alone, but has learned so much through collaborating with others. “You have to be open to writing different ways with other people in order to get some really cool songs.”
While Beckham genuinely loves every song on the album, one of his favorites is a co-write with Scooter Carusoe, “If I Had A Week,” which closes the project. “It’s a really special and true song about me being out here in Tennessee and missing my family,” he says. When came to crafting Bad For Me, Beckham had a lot of creative control and was able curate a soundtrack for “everyday people who are dealing with a lot.”
“I want to talk about stuff that’s relatable. I think a lot of people have this [idea] that their favorite artists or public figures have it all figured out, but everyone is human. We all hit bumps in the road, and for me, it’s those parts of life that make the good times stand out more.”
After he heard single “Waylon In ‘75,” written by Jon Randall, Brett James, Parker McCollum and Lee Thomas Miller, he knew he wanted to cut it due to its boldness. “It’s a little reckless and it’s high-energy, but it’s also real and raw. The first line definitely caught my attention, and I think the audacity of the song is something to be admired.”
One eye-catching title on the track listing is “Glitter,” inked by Joey Hendricks, Mark Trussell and Natalie Hemby, which Beckham says embodies everything he loves about country music with its steel guitar and melody while still being unique and interesting. The title track is another outside cut written by Joe Fox, Randy Montana and Tyler Chambers. The song’s honest, human elements about having the wherewithal to know what’s bad for you really spoke to Beckham and made him want to record it. In the end, he felt like “Bad For Me” summed up the relatability the record radiates.
“I hope that people relate to this album, and it gives them a little bit of comfort along with some rowdiness and fun,” he shares. “The whole message for me is don’t beat yourself up too bad, we’re all just people and we all have our faults.”
Beckham is currently on his “Bad For Me Tour,” and will join Luke Bryan for the “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” this summer as well as McCollum for the “Burn It Down Tour” this fall.
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