Pictured (L-R): Dylan Rucker, Kaiser Cunningham and Chase Rice on the set of “Bench Seat.” Photo: Evan DeStefano
With his last album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, Chase Rice broke new ground as an artist.
The man behind such hits as “Eyes On You,” “Gonna Wanna Tonight,” “Ready Set Roll” and “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” dug deep for the 14-song project, curating an impressive body of work to both fans and the industry. With a photo of his late father gracing its cover, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell included some deeper songs about Rice’s life, such as “Key West & Colorado,” as well as some elevated party rockers that we’ve come to know Rice for, such as his currently-rising single “Bad Day To Be A Cold Beer.”
Fans were especially struck by “Bench Seat,” a song Rice wrote by himself about the journey we go on with our dogs.
Chase Rice with the canine actors for “Bench Seat.” Photo: Evan DeStefano
“This song began with a whiskey and a joint sitting around a fire in Tennessee with one of my best friends in the world since college,” Rice tells MusicRow. “We were reminiscing about how two years before, in the same house, he explained to me that he had his handgun pressed against the side of his head with his finger on the trigger, when his dog walked up and put his head on his leg. That dog saved his life that day.”
He continues, “Sitting around the fire two years later, he said to me, ‘Dude, you should write a song about a guy driving around in his truck with his dog.’ I was trying to avoid country cliches on this album, but I couldn’t avoid this one. Two days later, sitting in my kitchen balling my eyes out for about 8 hours, I was exhausted, and ‘Bench Seat’ was born.”
The song’s lyrics paint a picture of a man struggling, who adopts a dog that ultimately changes his life. The two form an unbreakable bond, riding together in the cab of the man’s truck. Rice sings, “And we roll the windows down, You’re right there in that bench seat next to me. There’s a smell of fresh cut grass, Mr. Reynolds waves as we roll past State Road 44,” illustrating the pair’s tradition.
By the second verse, the man has met a girl and added to their family. But in the third verse, things go wrong. The man unexpectedly dies, and that’s when you realize, the song is the perspective of the dog.
“I always knew this day would come, just thought I’d be the first called home,” Rice sings. “Your little boy and her, don’t ya worry ’bout them. I’ve got ’em from now. See ya soon, my friend.”
The tear-jerking moment, expertly crafted by Rice, marks “Bench Seat” as a career song for the writer.
For such a special tune, Rice knew the music video had to convey its message perfectly.
“For me, the video had to portray the exact emotions I felt the day I wrote the song. It’s the only song I’ve ever written where I had the video in my head while I was writing the song—it actually really helped me write it,” he says. “Nobody else saw what was in my head that day, so I figured we wouldn’t get exactly what I was seeing, but if we could capture the real emotions, the darkness of depression, the beauty of a dog’s life and the power of redemption, that was what mattered most.”
To tackle the music video, Rice called on Nashville creative director, Kaiser Cunningham, who specializes in music video direction and production, documentary storytelling, portrait and live photography, artist branding and more.
Cunningham tells MusicRow that though he was nervous, he was up for the challenge of conveying such a special message—and its twist, three minutes in to the four minute song.
“It was important to me during the beginning of this production to think about the final product from the viewers’ perspective. I had to ask myself several times throughout the filming of this, ‘What would make me feel true emotion?’ Cunningham says. “I believe that we captured that and people can see that attention to detail executed. There were also several little Easter eggs that we left throughout the video which weren’t just for the viewer, but also specifically for Chase and his buddy’s overall storyline. For instance, the casket in the video is Carolina Blue—representative of Chase’s college football days—and the hat that his ‘son’ wears was the one Chase wore throughout the video.”
“Kaiser had worked on the road with me for years, so he knew me and how I work. This one was different because I wasn’t willing to hear any ideas of how the story should go; it was set in stone for me the day the song was written. So, for someone as creative as Kaiser, it could have been a big challenge sticking to what I had in mind, but he nailed it,” Rice says. “He took everything I wanted from coloring, to acting, to storyline and simply made it a better version of what I had in mind from the start. He knew how much this song and video meant to me. It wasn’t about either of us being right, it was about what made the video the best. No details were missed. He’s a pro, and I’m grateful for how much time and energy he put into this video.”
The reaction to “Bench Seat” has been resounding. In addition to its 1.4 million views, the video has been nominated and won multiple film awards. It received honors at the Afterlife File Festival (Spain), Barcelona Indie Awards (Spain), Canadian Cinematography Awards (Canada), Cannes International Film Festival (France), F3 Queen City Film Festival (Cincinnati, OH), Feel The Reel Festival (Glasgow, UK), Lulea International Film Fest (Sweden), Mindfield Film Festival (New Mexico), Oniros Film Festival (New York), Rome International Film Awards (Rome), Sweden Film Awards (Sweden) and North East Film Festival (Teanack, NJ), as well as other honors.
In total, “Bench Seat” has been selected among other nominees at film festivals around the world 22 times, and has won 13 awards.
Of the critical reception, Cunningham shares, “I feel like the overall reaction has just been shock and disbelief. Between the actual shot of Chase dying, the casket, the heaven scene… those are really heavy visuals for people to see and, from what I’ve heard, it’s really striking a chord with people. Moreso, when the viewer realizes the song is from the dog’s perspective it just amplifies the shock.”
He adds, “I personally did not expect it to win any awards. I knew we had an impactful story that people can relate to and that’s what my main concern was, initially. Then when I got approached about sharing this on a greater platform I was overwhelmed. I didn’t realize what we had until after the fact when we started to see how it’s affecting people. It’s been really validating to me and my career and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who has watched this, covered it, left us a comment on the YouTube video. It means the world to me.”
Chase Rice. Photo: Evan DeStefano
To both Cunningham and Rice, the fan reaction to “Bench Seat” has been extremely impactful.
Rice says, “The best recognition happens every night. The flashlights up at the end of the song, the tears, the singing along are all a singer’s dream. But, my favorite part is when I start telling the true story behind the song—the depression, near suicide, and a dog that saved a life. That’s the part I’m not sure a lot of people know.
“When I start telling it, something happens every single night. It’s the quietest I’ve ever heard our shows. They’re listening. They’re getting to know me in a way I’m uncomfortable with, but no longer willing to hide; and I’m getting to know them with the way they listen, cry and sing. Life’s hard, we all need each other. This song is that moment for all of us that lets every person in the place know that nobody is alone.”
Hozier & Maren Morris Team For ‘CMT Crossroads’
/by Lorie HollabaughHozier and Maren Morris are the latest artists set to appear on the CMT Crossroads franchise.
The new episode was filmed in front of a live audience at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and reunites the Irish singer-songwriter with Morris following their first collaboration in 2019 when they released a version together of Morris’ crossover hit “The Bones.”
The show has the pair swapping stories and performing on each other’s most-celebrated songs, including Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” “Work Song,” and two releases off his newest album, “Eat Your Young” and “All Things End.” They will also perform Morris’ “The Bones,” “My Church,” “Girl” and her brand new single, “The Tree.”
CMT Crossroads: Hozier & Maren Morris premieres with a special one-hour presentation on Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. CT, with an immediate encore at 10 p.m. CT, and on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 11 CT. It will also air live on Sept.r 23 on CMT.com, CMT VOD and the MTV app (CMT Crossroads), with subsequent premieres on CMT Music and MTV Live.
“Getting to share songs with Maren Morris for CMT Crossroads was a uniquely rewarding and fun experience,” says Hozier. “I’ve often felt a great deal of kinship between her work and my own. Getting to explore that and work alongside someone so outrageously talented was a joy. There were moments on that stage that I got to be a musician, a performer, collaborator and an audience member to Maren’s beautiful new music all at once.”
“Hozier is such a necessary artist to these times,” shares Morris. “He meets every moment with tenderness, clever wit and a strong moral stance for what is right. I’ve loved becoming friends with him over the years and I truly consider him to be one of the best of our generation. It was so much fun to collaborate again.”
Dan + Shay Slate ‘The Heartbreak On The Map Tour’ For 2024
/by Lorie HollabaughDan + Shay. Photo: Robby Klein
Dan + Shay have announced their 2024 “Heartbreak On The Map Tour,” kicking off in February. Ben Rector and Hailey Whitters will support the duo on the dates.
The tour will make stops in Austin, Oklahoma City, Knoxville, Kansas City, Chicago, Nashville and more before wrapping in Boston on April 14. Artist pre-sale tickets go on sale beginning Sept. 19, and additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale Sept. 22. Fans can pre-register here until Sept. 18 to receive their early ticket access code.
The 19-city tour aptly receives its title from “Heartbreak On The Map,” the third song on the duo’s fifth studio album, Bigger Houses out tomorrow, Sept. 15 via Warner Music Nashville. The long-awaited new music follows the duo’s record shattering, multi-award-winning, Platinum album, Good Things.
In the 10 years since they formed, Dan + Shay have garnered more than 11 billion career streams globally, multiple international No. 1 singles and 49 total RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications in the U.S. alone.
BBR Music Group Promotes Lauren Crawford, Hillary Borden & Hayley Irvine
/by Steven BoeroPictured (L-R): Lauren Crawford, Hillary Borden and Hayley Irvine. Photos: Kevin Grace
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville has elevated Lauren Crawford to Director of Marketing, Hillary Borden to Sr. Manager of Marketing and Hayley Irvine to Manager of Marketing.
Crawford, now head of the department, will lead the label’s marketing team and its initiatives as well as continue to manage artist projects such as Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll, while also overseeing the rest of the roster. She joined the label from Capitol Christian Music Group, where she handled projects for artists such as: Chris Tomlin, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, We The Kingdom and more. Prior to Capitol, she worked for Nashville’s annual Pilgrimage Music Festival, driving its marketing initiatives and overseeing the festival’s administration.
Borden joined BBR Music Group as Marketing Manager. In her new role, she will continue to manage artist projects, create marketing plans, streamline advertising initiatives and coordinate with all departments on artist release plans and strategies. Borden came to the label from The Bobby Bones Show, where she served as a producer, booking artists for the show and writing the weekend show, Country Top 30.
Irvine joined BBR Music Group as Manager of Recorded Finance. Going above and beyond the scope of her job duties, Irvine’s devotion to the label’s roster solidified her as the right teammate to transition into this artist-relations role, serving as a needed addition to the marketing team. Upon arriving in Nashville, Irvine came straight to the label after a short stint working in finance at Vaco.
“Each of these women are a force,” says JoJamie Hahr, EVP, BMG Nashville. “They seamlessly lead artist projects with passion, intensity, organization, and creativity. Lauren is the perfect lead for this highly motivated, well-rounded group with her attention to detail, marketing smarts and strategic thinking. Hillary adds an important dimension to the team with her vast country radio knowledge, and Hayley’s finance experience further solidifies the department.”
All will be reporting to Hahr. Crawford can be reached at lauren@bbrmusicgroup.com, Borden can be reached at hillary@bbrmusicgroup.com and Irvine can be reached at hayley@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Reservoir Signs Multi-Genre Songwriter Steph Jones
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R): Reservoir’s Golnar Khosrowshahi, Steph Jones, Reservoir’s Donna Caseine and Steph Jones Management’s Rhea Pasricha
Reservoir Media, Inc. has signed a publishing deal with multi-genre songwriter Steph Jones for her future work.
The Los Angeles-based creator has co-written tracks for some of the industry’s biggest names, collectively garnering billions of streams. Jones has contributed to several No. 1 albums, including “People You Know” from Selena Gomez’s Rare, “Look At Us Now” from Celine Dion’s Courage, “Happy” from P!nk’s Hurts 2B Human, “Polaroid” from Keith Urban’s The Speed of Now Part 1 and “Roaring 20s” from Panic! At The Disco‘s Pray for the Wicked. She has also collaborated with Little Big Town, Mickey Guyton, Blackpink, Maisie Peters and more.
Most recently, Jones co-wrote several singles for Sabrina Carpenter, including Platinum-certified “Nonsense” from her album Emails I Can’t Send. She also co-wrote Kelsea Ballerini’s Platinum-certified, 2021 ASCAP Country Award-winning song “Hole in the Bottle” as well as “Lottery (feat. Lu Kala)” by rapper-singer Latto.
“Among the industry’s circles, Steph Jones is the name on everybody’s lips. Having success across multiple genres, her star burns brighter every day, and her writing continues to impress artists, listeners and industry experts alike. We are so happy to be supporting her career and helping her leverage opportunities to create more incredible songs,” says Donna Caseine, Reservoir Executive Vice President, Global Creative Director.
“I’m so excited to partner with Donna and the Reservoir team for this next chapter of my career,” says Jones. “The work that they do truly honors the songwriting craft and community, and I’m looking forward to accomplishing a lot of great things together.”
Kelsea Ballerini Performs At The VMAs, Covers ‘TIME100’
/by LB CantrellKelsea Ballerini covers TIME. Photo: Caroline Tompkins
Kelsea Ballerini celebrated several milestones this week. In addition to turning 30, the country star made her MTV Video Music Awards debut and was one of three chosen to cover the TIME100’s Next List.
At the VMAs, Ballerini performed the song “Penthouse” from her lauded Rolling Up The Welcome Mat project. In addition to performing beautifully, the star had a stunning moment at the crescendo of the song, when her flowing white dress suddenly became a black gown for the grand finale.
For TIME, Ballerini graces the cover of select magazines alongside NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts and chef Mory Sacko. Listed under the heading “Artist,” Ballerini was selected for a list that includes medical leaders, advocates, politicians, athletes, academics, writers, scientists, chefs, politicians, innovators and technological groundbreakers.
Country music icon and a personal hero to Ballerini, Shania Twain, wrote an inclusion essay for the magazine. She writes, “I remember thinking back then how talented she was as a songwriter at such a young age. She’s an old soul in many ways. As a veteran songwriter, I’m always looking for authenticity, and I’m really inspired by clever songwriting—songwriting that is not only thought-provoking and meaningful but most of all original. Kelsea writes with all those qualities. She isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and really brave in her songwriting.”
Piling on the good news, Ballerini also just announced her first major arena concert at Knoxville’s Thompson-Boling, the one-night-only “The Homecoming Show.”
Industry Ink: ‘All For The Hall,’ Dan + Shay, Old Hickory, More
/by Caela GriffinVince Gill, Emmylou Harris & More Take the Stage For ‘All For The Hall’
Pictured (L-R): Carly Pearce, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Ashley McBryde. Photo: Jared Siskin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, along with Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce took the stage at “All For The Hall New York,” a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s educational programs.
The “All For The Hall” concept is modeled after a Nashville tradition, the guitar pull—a casual affair in which songwriters take turns performing while their fellow artists listen or add accompaniment. This one-of-a-kind evening at New York’s Irving Plaza unfolded with Gill, Harris, McBryde and Pearce swapping stories and music.
In addition to the guitar pull, the evening also showcased the museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music. The program pairs students and professional songwriters to help them develop language arts skills as they learn how to write songs. The song “When Hearts Come To Life,” written by first grade students from PS32 in Brooklyn who participated in Words & Music with Songwriters Hall of Fame member Liz Rose and Phil Barton, was featured during the event via video.
Peytan Porter kicked off “All For The Hall New York” festivities with a special performance at a patron party on Mon. Sept. 11, at the home of Jamie Tisch.
Dan + Shay Celebrate Latest Album, Bigger Houses
Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, Shane Tarleton, Tim Foisset, Kristen Willians, Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Torie Masson, Ben Kline, Clark Tedesco, Lisa Ray, Jason Owen. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville.
Dan + Shay celebrated the upcoming release of their fifth studio album, Bigger Houses, last Wednesday (Sept. 6) with an intimate event at Riverside Revival in Nashville.
Warner Music Nashville executives Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R), Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development), Tim Foisset (SVP Commercial Partnerships), Kristen Williams (SVP Radio), Torie Mason (SVP Stategic Marketing and Analytics), Ben Kline (Co-Chair & Co-President) and Clark Tedesco (VP Artist Development) were all in attendance to commend the duo. Sandbox Entertainment’s Lisa Ray and Jason Owen were present with their congratulations as well.
Bigger Houses is due out this Friday, Sept. 15 via Warner Music Nashville.
River House Artists Introduces Country Trio Old Hickory At Scoreboard Bar & Grill
Pictured (L-R): River House Artists’ Lynn Oliver-Cline and Zebb Luster; Old Hickory’s Andy Austin, Timothy Baker and Dan Alley.
River House Artists hosted a VIP event introducing Old Hickory, a brand-new trio with a timeless, all-natural soul, ready to revive one of Nashville’s lost tenets. The event was packed with industry professionals, family and friends who turned out in support of the group.
Comprised of North Carolina’s Andy Austin, Ohio’s Dan Alley, and Kentucky’s Timothy Baker, the three vocalist/guitarists look to the harmony-laced groups of country past for inspiration and pair it with electrifying energy and the mystique of bluegrass. Adding it together with their own flavor, they are now emerging as a vocal group for a new era. The band, adopting the Nashville-inspired name Old Hickory, has had a popular, twice-weekly gig at the famous Scoreboard Bar & Grill.
Jeannie Seely Hits Five Years As Air Personality On Sirius XM’s Willie’s Roadhouse
Jeannie Seely
Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely joined the SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse family as an on-air personality five years ago when she made her debut over Memorial Day weekend. The Grammy winner, country hitmaker and award-winning songwriter recently renewed her contract to continue her weekly show, Sundays With Seely, where she share intimate conversations with Opry performers and fellow artists.
With her charm and quick wit, she connects listeners with her memories and personal stories. During her five-year tenure, she has hosted and been instrumental on several SiriusXM specials and has been featured as a special guest on The Beatles Channel’s (ch. 18) The Beatles Y’all Together Now with Tracy Gershon. Seely was also celebrated with An American Classic virtual town hall and album release special.
“It is still hard for me to believe that I get to be a part of this wonderful family!! I had been listening to Willie’s Roadhouse for quite a while, loving the voices of Charlie Monk, Dallas Wayne and Paula Nelson, but I never even thought about doing what they do,” shares Seely. “I was so thrilled when I was given this opportunity, and I can honestly say that it has become one of the highlights of my career.”
“I look forward to doing the show every Sunday and hearing from so many fans that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to know otherwise. Thank you Willie Nelson and SiriusXM for granting me this privilege!”
“I’m so glad Jeannie Seely is on the Roadhouse,” says Nelson. “She is a good friend and does such a great job.”
BMI’s Next Big Wave Mixer Hosts Pop Songwriters In Nashville
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI’s Mason Hunter, BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill, Heath Warren, Vlad Holiday, Jacob Bryant, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Shannon Sanders. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
BMI once again hosted its Next Big Wave Mixer on Monday (Sept. 11) at its Nashville location as the exclusive networking opportunity focused on pop-infused songwriters based in Music City.
The evening was sponsored by Studio Bank and provided affiliates the opportunity to forge new partnerships and gain valuable insight on navigating the ever-evolving industry.
More than 40 songwriters attended the quarterly series, including Marshall Altman, Jacob Bryant, Vlad Holiday, Morgxn, Kelly Paige, Amy Stroup and Bryant Taylorr . BMI’s Leslie Roberts hosted the event and offered the crowd guidance. Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart detailed their company’s instrumental role in supporting the music community.
BMI affiliates also had the opportunity to connect with BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI’s Jessa Gelt from the L.A. office.
Reel Muzik Werks Signs Global Admin Deal With Level 77 Music
Reel Muzik Werks (RMW) has signed a global administration deal with boutique independent production music company Level 77 Music. Under the deal, RMW will be an extension of Level 77 Music and will assist with communicating with its partners and providing additional bandwidth and resources as Level 77 continues to grow both domestically and abroad.
RMW is a full-service independent music publisher and global music rights management company with a specialization in film/TV music and international rights management.
Level 77 Music specializes in unique custom music projects for film, TV, advertisements, and major corporations. The company is led by CEO Patrick Avard, known as the top producer of World Championship cheer music for more than two decades.
“We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Level 77 and help their dynamic catalog continue to expand across the globe,” says Teri Nelson Carpenter, Founder & CEO of Reel Muzik Werks. “I am proud to partner with a company who shares our passion for creativity and supporting creators.”
“I am thrilled to have an experienced partner like Reel Muzik Werks supporting Level 77 Music” says Avard. “We look forward to working together as a team to take RMW and Level 77 to the next level.”
CMA Announces 2023 International Awards Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughNominees are recognized in multiple categories and voted on by international members of CMA along with a select panel of U.S. professionals who have extensive knowledge in the international market. The nominees are honored for their continued efforts in expanding country music’s reach around the globe.
Voting for the 2023 CMA International Awards is open now through Thursday, Sept. 28. Winners will be announced later this year.
“As we continue to see Country Music grow globally, it is thanks in large part to those who have supported our mission and spearheaded events, initiatives and programming to reach new territories around the world,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The dedication from each of these nominees has made them a vital part of the success of our genre internationally, and we cannot wait to celebrate them in the coming months.”
“We cannot thank our international award nominees enough for their passion and efforts in expanding our international markets,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development. “As we look across the international landscape, it is evident that Country Music has more opportunity than ever to continue expanding across the globe. These international nominees are leading the charge in making that happen. We are grateful for their knowledge and commitment to representing our genre as well as their unwavering passion and commitment to expanding our international markets.”
2023 CMA International Awards Nominees:
Jo Walker Meador International Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States.
Jon Cauwood (U.K. – Music Consultant)
Sina Hall (Germany – Semmel Concerts)
Natalie Waller (Australia – ABC Music)
Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award
Recognizes outstanding achievements by an individual who has made important contributions to the live music industry by extending performance opportunities and building live audiences for country outside of the U.S.
Susan Heymann (Australia – Frontier Touring)
Anna-Sophie Mertens (U.K. – Live Nation)
Ron Sakamoto (Canada – Gold and Gold Productions, LTD.)
Neil Warnock, MBE (U.K. – United Talent Agency)
Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country outside of the U.S.
Jill Johnson (Sweden – ‘Jills Veranda’ SVT)
Ross Jones (U.K. – Holler)
Richard Murdoch (Scotland – BBC Radio)
Dayna Bourgoin (Canada – Pure Country Radio, iHeart Radio)
International Artist Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S. artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country industry outside of the U.S. during the eligibility period.
Luke Combs
Kip Moore
Morgan Wallen
International Country Broadcaster Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter outside the U.S. who has made important contributions for the development of country music in his/her country.
Stefanie Jüneman (Germany – FM Maximum Roc)
Joakim Richardson (Sweden – Go Country)
Ricky Ross (U.K. – BBC Radio Scotland)
Justin Thomson (Australia – KIX Country)
Wimpie van der Sandt (South Africa – Bok Radio)
Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award
Recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist signed outside of the U.S. The artist must have furthered the popularity of country as well as brought attention to the format in their foreign-based territory.
Casey Barnes (Australia)
Kaylee Bell (New Zealand)
Tebey (Canada)
Chase Rice & Kaiser Cunningham Glow In The Reception Of ‘Bench Seat’ Video [Interview]
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Dylan Rucker, Kaiser Cunningham and Chase Rice on the set of “Bench Seat.” Photo: Evan DeStefano
With his last album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, Chase Rice broke new ground as an artist.
The man behind such hits as “Eyes On You,” “Gonna Wanna Tonight,” “Ready Set Roll” and “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” dug deep for the 14-song project, curating an impressive body of work to both fans and the industry. With a photo of his late father gracing its cover, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell included some deeper songs about Rice’s life, such as “Key West & Colorado,” as well as some elevated party rockers that we’ve come to know Rice for, such as his currently-rising single “Bad Day To Be A Cold Beer.”
Fans were especially struck by “Bench Seat,” a song Rice wrote by himself about the journey we go on with our dogs.
Chase Rice with the canine actors for “Bench Seat.” Photo: Evan DeStefano
“This song began with a whiskey and a joint sitting around a fire in Tennessee with one of my best friends in the world since college,” Rice tells MusicRow. “We were reminiscing about how two years before, in the same house, he explained to me that he had his handgun pressed against the side of his head with his finger on the trigger, when his dog walked up and put his head on his leg. That dog saved his life that day.”
He continues, “Sitting around the fire two years later, he said to me, ‘Dude, you should write a song about a guy driving around in his truck with his dog.’ I was trying to avoid country cliches on this album, but I couldn’t avoid this one. Two days later, sitting in my kitchen balling my eyes out for about 8 hours, I was exhausted, and ‘Bench Seat’ was born.”
The song’s lyrics paint a picture of a man struggling, who adopts a dog that ultimately changes his life. The two form an unbreakable bond, riding together in the cab of the man’s truck. Rice sings, “And we roll the windows down, You’re right there in that bench seat next to me. There’s a smell of fresh cut grass, Mr. Reynolds waves as we roll past State Road 44,” illustrating the pair’s tradition.
By the second verse, the man has met a girl and added to their family. But in the third verse, things go wrong. The man unexpectedly dies, and that’s when you realize, the song is the perspective of the dog.
“I always knew this day would come, just thought I’d be the first called home,” Rice sings. “Your little boy and her, don’t ya worry ’bout them. I’ve got ’em from now. See ya soon, my friend.”
The tear-jerking moment, expertly crafted by Rice, marks “Bench Seat” as a career song for the writer.
For such a special tune, Rice knew the music video had to convey its message perfectly.
“For me, the video had to portray the exact emotions I felt the day I wrote the song. It’s the only song I’ve ever written where I had the video in my head while I was writing the song—it actually really helped me write it,” he says. “Nobody else saw what was in my head that day, so I figured we wouldn’t get exactly what I was seeing, but if we could capture the real emotions, the darkness of depression, the beauty of a dog’s life and the power of redemption, that was what mattered most.”
To tackle the music video, Rice called on Nashville creative director, Kaiser Cunningham, who specializes in music video direction and production, documentary storytelling, portrait and live photography, artist branding and more.
Cunningham tells MusicRow that though he was nervous, he was up for the challenge of conveying such a special message—and its twist, three minutes in to the four minute song.
“It was important to me during the beginning of this production to think about the final product from the viewers’ perspective. I had to ask myself several times throughout the filming of this, ‘What would make me feel true emotion?’ Cunningham says. “I believe that we captured that and people can see that attention to detail executed. There were also several little Easter eggs that we left throughout the video which weren’t just for the viewer, but also specifically for Chase and his buddy’s overall storyline. For instance, the casket in the video is Carolina Blue—representative of Chase’s college football days—and the hat that his ‘son’ wears was the one Chase wore throughout the video.”
“Kaiser had worked on the road with me for years, so he knew me and how I work. This one was different because I wasn’t willing to hear any ideas of how the story should go; it was set in stone for me the day the song was written. So, for someone as creative as Kaiser, it could have been a big challenge sticking to what I had in mind, but he nailed it,” Rice says. “He took everything I wanted from coloring, to acting, to storyline and simply made it a better version of what I had in mind from the start. He knew how much this song and video meant to me. It wasn’t about either of us being right, it was about what made the video the best. No details were missed. He’s a pro, and I’m grateful for how much time and energy he put into this video.”
The reaction to “Bench Seat” has been resounding. In addition to its 1.4 million views, the video has been nominated and won multiple film awards. It received honors at the Afterlife File Festival (Spain), Barcelona Indie Awards (Spain), Canadian Cinematography Awards (Canada), Cannes International Film Festival (France), F3 Queen City Film Festival (Cincinnati, OH), Feel The Reel Festival (Glasgow, UK), Lulea International Film Fest (Sweden), Mindfield Film Festival (New Mexico), Oniros Film Festival (New York), Rome International Film Awards (Rome), Sweden Film Awards (Sweden) and North East Film Festival (Teanack, NJ), as well as other honors.
In total, “Bench Seat” has been selected among other nominees at film festivals around the world 22 times, and has won 13 awards.
Of the critical reception, Cunningham shares, “I feel like the overall reaction has just been shock and disbelief. Between the actual shot of Chase dying, the casket, the heaven scene… those are really heavy visuals for people to see and, from what I’ve heard, it’s really striking a chord with people. Moreso, when the viewer realizes the song is from the dog’s perspective it just amplifies the shock.”
He adds, “I personally did not expect it to win any awards. I knew we had an impactful story that people can relate to and that’s what my main concern was, initially. Then when I got approached about sharing this on a greater platform I was overwhelmed. I didn’t realize what we had until after the fact when we started to see how it’s affecting people. It’s been really validating to me and my career and I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who has watched this, covered it, left us a comment on the YouTube video. It means the world to me.”
Chase Rice. Photo: Evan DeStefano
To both Cunningham and Rice, the fan reaction to “Bench Seat” has been extremely impactful.
Rice says, “The best recognition happens every night. The flashlights up at the end of the song, the tears, the singing along are all a singer’s dream. But, my favorite part is when I start telling the true story behind the song—the depression, near suicide, and a dog that saved a life. That’s the part I’m not sure a lot of people know.
“When I start telling it, something happens every single night. It’s the quietest I’ve ever heard our shows. They’re listening. They’re getting to know me in a way I’m uncomfortable with, but no longer willing to hide; and I’m getting to know them with the way they listen, cry and sing. Life’s hard, we all need each other. This song is that moment for all of us that lets every person in the place know that nobody is alone.”
Alexandra Kay’s Debut Album ‘All I’ve Ever Known’ Due Out In October
/by Lorie HollabaughAlexandra Kay. Photo: Daniel Shippey
Alexandra Kay is releasing her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, on Oct. 26.
Kay co-wrote all 11 of the deeply personal tracks on the new project, which was produced by Andrew Capra, Andrew Baylis and Jason Massey.
“All I’ve Ever Known is honesty. It’s a peek behind the curtain to an old kitchen window in a town of 4,000 people where I lived the past 10 years of my life. It is who I was, who I’ve become and everything in between,” shares Kay. “This album is the most raw, vulnerable, and wide open I have ever been when creating music, which can be terrifying and healing at the same time. I am so excited to connect with so many beautiful humans and watch the healing power of music as we tour this album in the fall.
The country songstress also announced her tour of the same name, which kicks off Nov. 1 in Louisville. The “All I’ve Ever Known Tour” will feature special guests Jordana Bryant and Haley Mae Campbell, and feature more than 30 stops across the U.S.
This summer, she headlined her “Backroad Therapy Tour 2” throughout Canada and the U.S., selling more than 10,000 tickets. Kay continues to amass social media fans with more than 5 million followers, over 56 million likes on TikTok and more than 57 million views on her YouTube Channel.
All I’ve Ever Known Track List:
1. Painted Him Perfect
2. Everleave
3. More Than You
4. Easy
5. I Hate Airplanes
6. Happy Once
7. How Do We Go
8. Kiss Me Goodnight
9. All I’ve Ever Known
10. She Stayed
11. I Can Do Anything
“All I’ve Ever Known Tour” Dates:
11/1 – Louisville, KY / Headliners Music Hall
11/3 – Pittsburgh, PA / Mr. Smalls
11/4 – Buffalo, NY / Rec Room
11/5 – Horseheads, NY / The “L”
11/6 – Burlington, VT / Higher Ground
11/7 – Portland, ME / State Theatre
11/10 – Worcester, MA/ Off The Rails
11/11 – Albany, NY / Empire Live
11/12 – New Haven, CT / Toads
11/14 – Lititz, PA / Mickey’s Black Box
11/15 – Baltimore, MD / Rams Head Live!
11/17 – Charlotte, NC / The Underground
11/18 – Columbia, SC / The Senate
11/20 – Asheville, NC / The Orange Peel
11/21 – Virginia Beach, VA / Elevation 27
11/22 – New York City, NY / Gramercy
11/26 – Tampa, FL / Orpheum
11/28 – Orlando, FL / The Abbey
12/1 – Dallas, TX / The Echo
12/2 – Austin, TX / Scoot Inn
12/3 – Houston, TX / House of Blues Houston
12/5 – Lubbock, TX / Jake’s Backroom
12/6 – Albuquerque, NM / Launchpad
12/7 – Phoenix, AZ / The Van Buren
12/9 – Las Vegas, NV / Stoney’s
12/10 – Los Angeles, CA / The Roxy
12/12 – Roseville, CA / Gold Field
12/14 – Salt Lake City, UT / The Grand at The Complex
12/15 – Denver, CO / Oriental
12/16 – Manhattan, KS / The Hat
12/17 – Kansas City, MO / Madrid Theater
12/19 – Oklahoma City, OK / Tower Theatre
12/20 – Columbia, MO / The Blue Note
12/22 – Nashville, TN / The Basement East
John Morgan To Release Debut EP ‘Remember Us?’ In October
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Nate Buchanan
John Morgan is set to release his six-song debut EP Remember Us? on Oct. 6.
The debut mixes heartbreakers with up-tempo barn burners, flowing between romantic relatability and nostalgia to crank-it-up singalongs. Morgan, who penned Jason Aldean’s No. 1 “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood, co-wrote each song on the project and enlisted his mentor Aldean and Aldean’s bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy to help produce the EP’s title track along with “Ain’t Been There Yet” and the previously-released party-starter “Friends Like That,” which has earned more than 12.5 million on-demand streams to date.
The collection also includes the just-released “Cold Summer In San Antone” that depicts the isolation and coldness of a broken heart, even during the most brutally hot season in Texas. Likewise, the anguished “It Ain’t the Leavin'” dials in on the turmoiled chaos felt after goodbye, while the fun-loving, up-tempo “Won’t Be As Good” admits life isn’t as worthwhile without that certain someone in it.
Morgan recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut, and is taking the new music out on the road with Ernest, Riley Green, Jameson Rodgers and Conner Smith as well as to festivals around the country.
Remember Us? Track Listing:
^Produced by Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison & Tully Kennedy
*Produced by Will Bundy
+ Produced by Kyle Fishman & Jacob Durrett
1. “Won’t Be As Good” (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Rodney Clawson, Justin Wilson)*
2. “Remember Us” (John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Rodney Clawson, Justin Wilson)^
3. “Friends Like That” (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)^
4. “Cold Summer In San Antone” (John Morgan, Ben Hayslip, Will Bundy)*
5. “It Ain’t the Leavin'” (John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Casey Beathard, Josh Thompson, Rocky Block)+
6. “Ain’t Been There Yet” (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, David Lee Murphy)^