View this post on Instagram
Having taken on roles in college sports, NASCAR, reality TV, and, most recently, country music, Chase Rice has never been far from the spotlight. He emerged on Nashville’s country music scene following the release of his first album, Friday Nights & Sunday Mornings, in April 2010. His recognition as a solo artist shifted after co-writing the best-selling iTunes song “Cruise” with Florida Georgia Line. Rice continues to create catchy country favorites including “Ready Set Roll” and “Gonna Wanna Tonight.” His current album, Lambs & Lions, features his most-streamed song ever and his first No. 1 hit, “Eyes on You.” To celebrate this success, Rice partnered with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire to visit the Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, for an exclusive performance. PBI caught up with the country star and sunshine state native to discuss passion, performance, and the potential of a Florida future.
PBI: What do you credit with the evolution behind your career?
Rice: It’s all been opportunities that God has put into place. I worked hard to play college football and then I was injured, which led to working in NASCAR. NASCAR led to a spot on Survivor, which was an awesome experience. But [working in country music] feels really right.
When you are writing songs, is it a process that is very fluid and sudden, or is it more strategic?
It happens both ways. Two days ago, we wrote three songs in a day—that doesn’t happen all the time. Most of the time you get stuck in a song.
What’s your favorite song to perform and why?
Eyes on You. It’s the newest hit. The stage gets really dark, the music starts, and you can tell it’s what people came to see.
How did you feel when you realized you had a No. 1 hit song?
It felt amazing. I appreciate the way it happened, the people that it’s happened with, and the people that have stuck with me through the ups and the downs. It wasn’t just me; it was all of us doing this together and God.
As a Florida native, how does it feel to be performing in your home state?
Its been great. Florida is home to me, and I’ll be a Gator forever. Florida has been great to us the past few years from Tampa to Orlando to Miami.
Could you ever see yourself living in Florida again?
Yeah. I still have family here. Anywhere between Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee will always feel like home to me, but I’ll always have a place in Nashville.
Ocean or mountains?
Having been raised in North Carolina, normally I would say mountains. But today, I’m going to have to say ocean.
*This interview has been edited and condensed
Facebook Comments