Country singer-songwriter Chase Rice will deliver the final installment of his three part, 15-track project, The Album, on May 28 through Broken Bow Records.
With more than 2 million albums sold and over 1.7 billion total streams to date, Rice has established himself as a powerful force in Nashville and beyond over the past eight years. Since The Album, Part 1’s release in January of 2020, the “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” singer will finally bring the project to a close with the addition of the album’s last four tracks.
Rice recently spoke with MusicRow about the new full-length album, how he grew in the last year, and future plans for his music.
MusicRow: What has the last year been like for you?
It’s been interesting. I’ve taken a lot of time off. I didn’t travel a lot last year and had a good group of friends that all hung out together at my farm or their house… I’ve been able to live life for the first time in eight years, so that’s really how The Album, Part 3 came together and that’s how I’m moving towards the next record which is going to be really special.
What gave you the idea to do a graduated release and put out the album in parts?
I wanted each song to have its time. I wanted to release less music, but more often. That’s why I was going to do Part 1 through 4, but Part 4 got derailed because of COVID.
I had this group of songs that were older songs that didn’t have a place yet. “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” was on its own. “If I Didn’t Have You” was three or four years old, but I always wanted to put it out. “The Nights” was one I knew I wanted to finish up what was Part 4–or now, Part 3–with, and “Bedroom” was written during the middle of COVID. I took all of these songs from different places and thought this was a perfect way to end the album.
Chase Rice. Photo: Jason Myers
What was the songwriting process like for this album?
Completely different [than what I’m used to]. The beginning of Part 1 and 2 was showing up at 11:00 a.m., writing with people, and being done by 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 when people have to go get their kids. That was the traditional way of writing songs for me for the last eight years. However, Part 3 came along and completely said ‘no’ to all of that.
“The Nights” was the only song that was written in a normal way, but it’s two or three years old and I knew the day I wrote that song that I wanted that in the final piece. “If I Didn’t Have You” was written in Oklahoma at a hunting camp. “Bedroom” was a Zoom write–one of the only Zoom writes I’ve ever done. Then “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” was written on the back of my tour bus on the last day of tour in 2019. This group of songs are a special group because they were all written differently–they all didn’t have a place. Bringing them together on Part 3 to finalize the album was perfect.
How has COVID changed the way you approach songwriting?
I’m going to take a lot of what I learned last year and apply it, like to stop doing the 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. thing. I’m probably not going to do that very much anymore. I’m going to do writing retreats with no schedules. Let’s go fish. Let’s figure it out and talk about songs. If we don’t get a song that day, who cares? Most of the time when you have that mindset, your creativity finally gets to the front as opposed to your schedule.
That’s what I’m going to take moving forward for the back half of my next record. I’m going to take a lot of the negatives from last year and turn them into positives.
Chase Rice. Photo: Cody Cannon
What songs/performances are you most looking forward to sharing with fans?
I’m excited to see how people respond to “Forever To Go” because that one’s been somewhat of an underground hit all of a sudden. I’ve also never gotten to play “American Nights” live, which is awful because it was supposed to be the opener of the whole show.
I played “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” at the Ryman a couple of weeks ago and it was mind blowing! Everybody stood up and came to the front–I don’t know if that was allowed or not– but we didn’t care. It was a special moment and I haven’t seen a reaction like that since “Ready Set Roll,” to be honest. Even “Eyes On You” didn’t get a reaction like that live. I feel like finally have a party song that’s going to become a hit for the first time since “Ready Set Roll,” which I think is going to be one of the coolest moments during shows.
What do you hope fans walk away with from this project?
I hope they see that I’m finally not chasing anything. I moved to Nashville in 2010 when I had just learned to play guitar and write songs. I was clueless from “Ready Set Roll” and “Gonna Wanna Tonight” through “Eyes On You,” and I’ll be really honest about that. I think “Eyes On You” was really the beginning of my career, so I hope they can see now that I’m not chasing anything. I’m not trying to be anybody else, and I’m just being me.
I hope they can finally grasp through this record who I am a little bit more and I hope they hold onto that because what’s coming next is who I really am. I finally got to really live for a year because I wasn’t touring. I lived an entire year which allowed me to piece The Album, Part 3 together, and that’s also going to allow me to piece my next record together.
Chart Action: Stapleton Most Added, Rhett Gains Spins
/by Alex ParryChris Stapleton‘s latest single, “You Should Probably Leave,” is this week’s most added single on the country charts. Earning 44 new station adds on Mediabase and 9 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, the single debuted at No. 63 on MusicRow. Stapleton co-wrote the song with Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois. It appears on his latest album Starting Over, released via Mercury Records.
“Country Again” by Thomas Rhett continues to be the highest spin gainer on the MusicRow Chart for the fifth consecutive week. In just six weeks since its debut on the chart, Rhett has risen to No. 3 with a total of 1,644 spins this week from 63 stations.
For more chart data, read the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Morgan Wallen’s Eligibility For 2021 CMA Awards
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
The CMA Board of Directors have voted to amend Morgan Wallen’s 2021 CMA Awards eligibility.
Wallen, who came under fire in February when a video surfaced of him using the N-word outside of his Nashville home, was disqualified from the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards.
The Country Music Association announced its ballot schedule for The 55th Annual CMA Awards, slated for this November.
The CMA Board of Directors amended Wallen’s 2021 CMA Awards eligibility, making him eligible in categories that honor artistic works (Single, Song, Album, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year categories), so as not to limit opportunity for other credited collaborators. He will not be eligible for nomination in the individual artist categories (Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year categories), however.
After a period of social media silence, Wallen has begun to post again and was even spotted performing at Kid Rock’s bar on Broadway Avenue in Nashville recently.
CMA Announces 2021 Awards Ballot Schedule
/by LB CantrellThe eligibility period for the awards is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. All voting for the CMA Awards will be conducted online.
The Nomination Ballot and instructions will be emailed Tuesday, July 6 to CMA members in good standing who are eligible to vote. Voting for the Nomination Ballot closes Thursday, July 15 (4:00 p.m. CT).
The Second Ballot will be emailed to CMA members Monday, Aug. 2. and voting will close on Thursday, Aug. 12 (6:00 p.m. CT). The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced later this summer.
Winners of The 55th Annual CMA Awards will be determined in a Final Round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and Final Ballot will be emailed to CMA members Friday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Wednesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 p.m. CT). All balloting is officiated by the professional services firm Deloitte.
To vote in all three rounds of The 55th Annual CMA Awards, prospective CMA members must apply for membership by Tuesday, June 1. Visit CMAworld.com/membership to learn more.
Shepherd’s Men To Honor Late Charlie Daniels With 15-Mile Nashville Ruck March
/by Lorie HollabaughEach spring, the Shepherd’s Men organizes a multi-city event where participants run, march, and swim to bring awareness to veteran suicides. This year, during the Nashville stop, participants will strap on 83 pounds of weight, representing Daniels’ 83 years of life. The 15-mile ruck march will begin at 9 a.m. at Daniels’ grave in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and will end at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. A free to the public reception featuring a live performance by Darryl Worley will immediately follow at Sammy B’s Restaurant, located inside the Castle Heights Military Academy.
“Veteran suicides were a critical concern to Charlie, and just a few weeks before he passed we agreed that this issue should become a major priority within our overall mission,” explains TCDJHP co-founder and Daniels’ longtime manager David Corlew. “He believed so much in the Sheperd’s Men’s work, so this is an epic way of honoring Charlie and continuing his mission of saving lives.”
“We run for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives, for our brothers and sisters who are still fighting long after leaving the battlefield and for our brothers and sisters who have not yet returned home,” says Travis Ellis, Shepherd’s Men co-founder. “We will not rest until the number of lives lost every day to suicide goes from 22 to zero. Our veterans deserve to live meaningful, gratifying lives with their families after their courageous service to our country.”
The Shepherd’s Men’s relationship with TCDJHP began several years ago when Daniels began partnering with the group for annual fundraising events benefiting veterans. To date, the two organizations have collectively raised significant funding for injured veterans across the nation.
Alan Jackson To Play ‘Where I Come From’ Benefit Show For Tornado Relief For His Hometown
/by Lorie HollabaughAlan Jackson. Photo: Kristy Belcher
Alan Jackson is lending a helping hand to his hometown next month when he returns to Newnan, Georgia to headline a special concert benefiting tornado relief efforts.
On March 26, an EF-4 tornado ripped across Newnan, the city where Jackson and his wife Denise were born, raised, met and married. At least 70 homes were completely destroyed, many others suffered major damage, and over 1,700 structures were impacted and compromised.
“After the tornadoes came through Newnan I knew that I wanted to do what I could to help my hometown. I started working on an idea to do some kind of benefit in Nashville to help those affected in Newnan, but then heard from a group of leaders in Newnan,” Jackson says. “I’m glad we came up with a way to bring this show to my hometown… and I’m happy to be helping the people who need it most.”
The Where I Come From show is set for June 26 at Newnan’s Coweta County Fairgrounds, where he will be joined by Chris Young, Caylee Hammack, Adam Wright and Brian Wright.
Tickets for the event go on sale this Friday, May 21 at 9 a.m. CST at AlanJacksonBenefit.com. Proceeds will benefit the Coweta Community Foundation, which is managing charitable efforts to help the people of Newnan in the wake of the storm. Donations to the Foundation’s relief efforts can be made via their website.
Jason Aldean Earns 15th No. 1 Song On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Alex ParryJason Aldean earns his fifteenth No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Blame It On You.” Written by Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, Michael Tyler, and Brian White, the single appears on Aldean’s latest album, 9, released via Macon Music and Broken Bow Records.
While performing his first live show since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Bonnaroo Farm last weekend, Aldean announced his Back in the Saddle Tour will kick off on Aug. 5. Hardy and Lainey Wilson will serve as opening acts.
“It’s been emotional being back on stage with my band for the first time in a year this weekend,” says Aldean of the Bonnaroo shows. “It’s made us all even more ready to get back to life as we all know it. Being on the road makes all of us – the band, the crew, and me – happy and I haven’t felt this excited about going on tour in 15 years.”
Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Chase Rice: ‘I’m Finally Not Chasing Anything. I’m Just Being Me’ [Interview]
/by Lydia FarthingCountry singer-songwriter Chase Rice will deliver the final installment of his three part, 15-track project, The Album, on May 28 through Broken Bow Records.
With more than 2 million albums sold and over 1.7 billion total streams to date, Rice has established himself as a powerful force in Nashville and beyond over the past eight years. Since The Album, Part 1’s release in January of 2020, the “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” singer will finally bring the project to a close with the addition of the album’s last four tracks.
Rice recently spoke with MusicRow about the new full-length album, how he grew in the last year, and future plans for his music.
MusicRow: What has the last year been like for you?
It’s been interesting. I’ve taken a lot of time off. I didn’t travel a lot last year and had a good group of friends that all hung out together at my farm or their house… I’ve been able to live life for the first time in eight years, so that’s really how The Album, Part 3 came together and that’s how I’m moving towards the next record which is going to be really special.
What gave you the idea to do a graduated release and put out the album in parts?
I wanted each song to have its time. I wanted to release less music, but more often. That’s why I was going to do Part 1 through 4, but Part 4 got derailed because of COVID.
I had this group of songs that were older songs that didn’t have a place yet. “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” was on its own. “If I Didn’t Have You” was three or four years old, but I always wanted to put it out. “The Nights” was one I knew I wanted to finish up what was Part 4–or now, Part 3–with, and “Bedroom” was written during the middle of COVID. I took all of these songs from different places and thought this was a perfect way to end the album.
Chase Rice. Photo: Jason Myers
What was the songwriting process like for this album?
Completely different [than what I’m used to]. The beginning of Part 1 and 2 was showing up at 11:00 a.m., writing with people, and being done by 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 when people have to go get their kids. That was the traditional way of writing songs for me for the last eight years. However, Part 3 came along and completely said ‘no’ to all of that.
“The Nights” was the only song that was written in a normal way, but it’s two or three years old and I knew the day I wrote that song that I wanted that in the final piece. “If I Didn’t Have You” was written in Oklahoma at a hunting camp. “Bedroom” was a Zoom write–one of the only Zoom writes I’ve ever done. Then “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” was written on the back of my tour bus on the last day of tour in 2019. This group of songs are a special group because they were all written differently–they all didn’t have a place. Bringing them together on Part 3 to finalize the album was perfect.
How has COVID changed the way you approach songwriting?
I’m going to take a lot of what I learned last year and apply it, like to stop doing the 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. thing. I’m probably not going to do that very much anymore. I’m going to do writing retreats with no schedules. Let’s go fish. Let’s figure it out and talk about songs. If we don’t get a song that day, who cares? Most of the time when you have that mindset, your creativity finally gets to the front as opposed to your schedule.
That’s what I’m going to take moving forward for the back half of my next record. I’m going to take a lot of the negatives from last year and turn them into positives.
Chase Rice. Photo: Cody Cannon
What songs/performances are you most looking forward to sharing with fans?
I’m excited to see how people respond to “Forever To Go” because that one’s been somewhat of an underground hit all of a sudden. I’ve also never gotten to play “American Nights” live, which is awful because it was supposed to be the opener of the whole show.
I played “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” at the Ryman a couple of weeks ago and it was mind blowing! Everybody stood up and came to the front–I don’t know if that was allowed or not– but we didn’t care. It was a special moment and I haven’t seen a reaction like that since “Ready Set Roll,” to be honest. Even “Eyes On You” didn’t get a reaction like that live. I feel like finally have a party song that’s going to become a hit for the first time since “Ready Set Roll,” which I think is going to be one of the coolest moments during shows.
What do you hope fans walk away with from this project?
I hope they see that I’m finally not chasing anything. I moved to Nashville in 2010 when I had just learned to play guitar and write songs. I was clueless from “Ready Set Roll” and “Gonna Wanna Tonight” through “Eyes On You,” and I’ll be really honest about that. I think “Eyes On You” was really the beginning of my career, so I hope they can see now that I’m not chasing anything. I’m not trying to be anybody else, and I’m just being me.
I hope they can finally grasp through this record who I am a little bit more and I hope they hold onto that because what’s coming next is who I really am. I finally got to really live for a year because I wasn’t touring. I lived an entire year which allowed me to piece The Album, Part 3 together, and that’s also going to allow me to piece my next record together.
Faren Rachels Signs With Combustion Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Blake Duncan (Combustion Music Creative Director), Faren Rachels, Chris Farren (Combustion Music President); (L-R, back row): Kelly Lyons (Combustion Music), Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music Vice President), Dustin Kovacic (Keller, Turner, Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC)
Faren Rachels has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Combustion Music.
Originally from Sparta, Georgia, Rachels grew up inspired by the sounds of Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, and Lee Ann Womack. She sang in church for years while growing up and performed cover gigs with a band she put together while attending The University of Georgia in Athens. Rachels eventually made the move to Nashville in 2012 to pursue her dreams, and has had cuts with Lainey Wilson, Chrissy Metz, Ashland Craft, and more.
“Faren is the first writer that Blake brought in since his short time here, and I was immediately blown away. The honesty in Faren’s writing and the passion she has for country music, not to mention her name, made it impossible not to jump in. Can’t wait to see what we do next together,” says Combustion President Chris Farren.
“Never thought I’d be working with another Farren but here we are, ha! Since my first meeting with Blake & Falcon at Combustion, it just felt like home,” says Rachels. “I’m so grateful for their belief in me as a songwriter and excited to be joining such a well-respected and forward-thinking company.”
Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, More To Perform At CMT Music Awards
/by Lydia FarthingCMT unveiled the first round of performers for the 2021 CMT Music Awards airing Wednesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. CST on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network and TV Land.
The first slate of performers at this year’s show include, Brothers Osborne and Dierks Bentley; Chris Stapleton; Luke Combs; Maren Morris and JP Saxe; Mickey Guyton and Gladys Knight; and Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
The nominees for this year’s CMT Music Awards were previously unveiled, with female powerhouses Morris and Lambert competing for the most accolades with four nods each. Hosts Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown join Little Big Town and Guyton with three nominations.
This year, 13 artists received first-time nominations including Guyton, Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, HARDY, Lainey Wilson, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Niko Moon, Noah Cyrus, Parmalee, Ryan Hurd, Tyler Hubbard and Willie Jones.
Carrie Underwood remains the most decorated artist in CMT history with a total of 22 wins and will compete for two trophies, nominated for her collaboration with John Legend.
Fan voting is now open and continues until Tuesday, June 1.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson & Willie Nelson, Dustin Lynch & Chris Lane
/by Robert K OermannWillie Nelson, Cody Johnson
Collaborations are on the menu today in DisClaimer.
Sometimes they are between country acts (Dustin Lynch & Chris Lane, Willie & Cody Johnson) and sometimes they are cross-genre efforts (Needtobreathe & Carrie, Maren & Joy Oladokun). But in every case, they are all worthwhile.
The Disc of the Day award goes to my man Cody Johnson for his revival (with Willie) of Willie’s song “Sad Songs and Waltzes.” If you must have tempo, you can’t do better than the Lynch/Lane collab “Tequila on a Boat” or the Nashvillains’ bopping “Who Don’t.”
Give the James Barker Band this week’s DisCovery Award.
CODY JOHNSON & WILLIE NELSON / “Sad Songs and Waltzes”
Writers: Willie Nelson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
— I have always loved this Willie chestnut. As a duet between these two awesome Texans, it becomes an atmospheric mini masterpiece. The production is perfection, and the vocals are as warm as a campfire.
DUSTIN LYNCH & CHRIS LANE / “Tequila On A Boat”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Justin Ebach/Matt Alderman; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Broken Bow Records
— This funky groover sounds exactly like a summer anthem. Bob heads and smile.
JOEY HEFFERNAN & JOE DIFFIE / “When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall”
Writers: Bill Monroe; Producer: none listed; Label: JH
— Veteran sideman, Dobro instructor and touring artist Hefferman teamed up with the late great vocalist Diffie for this stately, slow-waltz rendition of a Bill Monroe gem. Their accompanying band is an all-star get together. Diffie’s lead vocal is a stirring reminder of what a fine talent we lost when he became the first music star to die of Covid-19 last year.
WILLIE JONES / “Down By the Riverside”
Writers: Willie Jones/Josh Logan/Jason Afable; Producer: Jason Afable; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Penthouse
— This guy manages to fuse hip-hop and country better than most. This tilts a little more more urban than country, but there’s still singing plus a square-dance element. Catchy and clever.
CHASE BRYANT & JESSI ALEXANDER / “Even Now”
Writers: Chase Bryant/Joe Haydel/Tim Owens; Producer: Jon Randall/Chase Bryant; Label: Green Iris
— Exquisitely heartbreaking. This is the best written and most beautifully sung breakup ballad I’ve heard in ages. Play and believe.
MICHAEL RAY / “Picture”
Writers: Michael Ray/Michael Hardy/David Garcia/Ross Copperman; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— “Take every snapshot while you can/Tell them that you love them while you got a chance.” Because one day all you will have is the memory and a photo. A lovely sentiment, a pretty melody and a sincere performance. What’s not to love?
JAMES BARKER BAND / “Over All Over Again”
Writers: Gavin Slate/James Barker/Todd Clark/Travis Wood; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— The ingredients here are dynamic country-rock rhythm, dandy lyrics, youthful energy and a soaring lead vocal. I dig this. Play it again.
TRIXIE MATTEL & ORVILLE PECK / “Jackson”
Writers: Billy Edd Wheeler/Jerry Leiber; Producer: Nick Goldston; Label: TM
— Trixie is a country-music drag queen. Orville is that guy in the fringed mask with the throaty, melodramatic delivery. Their pairing on this Johnny-and-June classic is country camp all the way. It has verve and moxie to spare.
NEEDTOBREATHE & CARRIE UNDERWOOD / “I Wanna Remember”
Writers: Bear Rinehart; Producer: Konrad Snyder/Needtobreathe; Label: Elektra
— The Grammy winning Christian rock band teams with the mighty voiced country queen on a boiling, emotive power ballad. This little pop beauty will definitely stir yer blood.
JADEN HAMILTON / “Heaven’s Jukebox”
Writers: Jaden Hamilton/Ryan Beaver/Jared Keim; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— I remain in this neo-traditionalist kid’s corner. This time, he’s treating us to a rolling, upbeat ditty that is a country fan’s vision of the Hereafter. Worthy.
JOY OLADOKUN & MAREN MORRIS / “Bigger Man”
Writers: Joy Oladokun/Maren Morris/Jimmy Robbins/Laura Veltz; Producer: Jimmy Robbins/Joy Oladokun; Label: Amigo/Verve Forecast/Republic
— Joy is a Nigerian American who has moved to Music City from Arizona. She cites Tracy Chapman as an influence, and I can certainly hear that in her folk-tinged, Americana style. Maren helps to anchor the downbeat, poetic lyric with her languid, earthy vocals. Intriguingly different.
NASHVILLAINS / “Who Don’t”
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Brad Tursi/Corey Crowder; Producer: Steve Dorff; Label: Fate Entertainment
— This is a trio comprised of Music City songwriters/producers Brett Boyett, Troy Johnson and Scott Lindsey. Their single is a thumpy, rhythm-happy outing with bounce and charm. I defy you not to tap your toes.