Chase Rice Leaves Bro-Country Behind, Finds His True Voice On New Album, ‘Go Down Singin’’

Throughout the past few years, Chase Rice has undergone a complete musical transformation, evolving from chasing bro-country hits, to embracing a deeper and more authentic sound. With his new album, Go Down Singin’, Rice continues to embrace authenticity and finds himself making music that he is truly passionate about. The result is an 11-song project that dives deep into his personal and musical journey. 

A Turning Point In 2020

This musical evolution began in 2020 when life as we knew it came to a halt. Rice recalls turning to his acoustic guitar after feeling a bit off one night. 

“It was the first song I’ve written by myself on a guitar in 10 years,” he remembers.

This moment sparked several more songwriting sessions with his guitar and Rice said he remembers thinking he’d save the songs he’d written for “down the road.” When he continued to write with just a guitar and no accompanying tracks, that’s when something clicked. 

Leaving Bro-Country Behind

“That’s when I changed my mind…this isn’t for down the road, this is now,” Rice explains. “And that line in the sand for whatever reason for me was like, all right, you guys do what you want over there. I’m going to do what I want over here and I’m just going to start writing songs that actually care about.” 

At that point, Rice says songwriting became “fun” again. Since then, he hasn’t looked back and has no plans to return to the style of music he released earlier in his career.

“I didn’t necessarily love what I’d been doing the whole time. I stumbled into that and what I realized, was that I was really good at was me and a guitar and guys that are sitting around or girls that are sitting around with me that are just wanting to write something real,” he explains, later adding, “It’s where I’m at in life now and I don’t think I was capable of doing it 10 years ago.”

This process led him to his previous album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, which was released to critical acclaim last year. Now, he returns with Go Down Singin’, and doubles down on what he started with the last project.  

Making A Statement With The Title Track

Go Down Singin’ opens with the title track, which details the struggles and resilience of an artist trying to navigate the ups and downs of a music career. The lyrics mirror Rice’s life and emphasize the importance of never giving up no matter what is thrown your way. 

“I did my best, I went for broke/ Breathed in every drop of neon-covered honky-tonk bar smoke/ When this town did its worst, I just smiled and said, bring it/ Said, if I go down, hell, at least I go down singin’, oh/ Go down singin’, oh,” he sings on the chorus. 

This song and others were inspired by advice Rice’s late father once gave him: “Boy, anyone can play guitar, but no one is gonna really listen to you until you start singing.”

Rice confessed that he wasn’t sure what his dad would think of his previous albums, but he knows in his heart that he’d be “real proud” of his latest releases.

“I think he’d love this album. He loves storytelling, he loves honesty. He was no bullsh** to the point guy,” he explains. “I think he’d be very happy with where I’m at now, and he got me the guitar that I write all these songs on.”

Honoring His Father’s Legacy

Rice’s father has always played a role in his life and career, even long after his passing. On his last album, the singer/songwriter chose to use a photo of his dad as the cover art. This time around, Rice recreated that cover art, mirroring the beloved retro photo of his father.

The emotional song “You In 85″ is also a nod to his late father. While Rice admits he was “bawling his eyes out” while recording his vocals, he views the song as a turning point in his healing process. 

“[Producer] Oscar [Charles] came in and just was like, ‘Dude, this is not a sad situation. This is you getting to celebrate what that moment would look like if you could finally sit down with your dad and talk to him as a man, as a grown dude,’” Rice recalls. “And so that changed my whole perspective of my losing my dad my life the last 10 years and I just stopped being mad. And within 10 minutes, [that was] more healing than I’d had in 10 years.” 

Rice paired the powerful song with a heartfelt music video, featuring home videos of him and his family. Watching these moments unfold in the video became another step in his healing process.

“It was the first time I’ve seen my dad moving aside from a picture in 15 years,” he shares. 

One of the most emotional moments came when he showed the final edit to his mom.

“I showed my mom last week. Oh my God, she lost it. That was hard to see her cry like that,” he reveals. 

Collaborating With Lori McKenna

On this album, Rice had the incredible opportunity to write four songs with lauded songwriter Lori McKenna. Rice said it was his song “Bench Seat” that helped convince her to write with him. 

“That was the song, from what I understand, that convinced her to write with me. And I don’t know if it was a convincer thing… I’m sure she thinks of it like business, like anybody else. ‘How can I help this person?’ And she couldn’t help me with the first records I was putting out. So for her to say that, that’s insane,” Rice points out. 

McKenna also lends her voice to the song “That Word Don’t Work No More.”

Staying True To Himself

Go Down Singin’ not only continues Rice’s authentic new musical chapter, it also marks the start of his career as a fully independent artist. Now he’s in control, no longer trying to be anyone but himself, and he’s enjoying every moment of it.

“I don’t know, it’s just easier now. I’m just being me. I’m not trying to be Florida Georgia Line or Sam [Hunt] or whoever else is popular. It’s just…it’s fun.”