PARTY ON
One of the artists kicking off C2C is perma-positive posterboy for bro-country, Chase Rice. “Screaming women and passionate guys drinking beer, that’s the most fun crowd, right?” Who’s to argue?
Words by Peter Herndon
It’s party time! Chase Rice will be bringing the good times to C2C this year
Chase Rice was voted by TV viewers as the 10th “steamiest” male contestant in the history of the Survivor series
Country can be a touch maudlin at times, everyone knows that. So, if you’re going to throw a country party, sometimes it may be a good idea to kick things off with a big, bright country-shaped firecracker. And for C2C 2019, Chase Rice is more than happy to play that pyrotechnic.
“I cannot wait!” Rice beams. “We’re all going to have a blast!” Rice is talking to CM midway through his October 2018 UK tour and has only just got the green light to chat about the forthcoming C2C, but we already believe in his enthusiasm, as does, it seems, the UK country community. The Asheville, Carolina hitmaker has been a regular visitor to the UK in recent months, where he has built on the success of fourth album Lamb & Lions. Bolstered by two hits – current single Eyes On You isn’t going away anytime soon – the album has turned Rice into a genuine star, albeit one that’s taken years to shine. His third album, 2014’s Ignite The Night, was a US country No. 1 but Rice has struggled for credibility: his past as a reality TV show contestant will do that in a world that makes much of ‘authenticity’. And although Lamb & Lions has yet to scale those exacting heights, Rice himself insists he is much happier with where he is.