Chase Rice opened up about how his forthcoming album “wrecked me” as he pursued music that’s more vulnerable than anything he’s released before. The country singer-songwriter posted a heartfelt note on Instagram on Thursday evening (November 17):
“For 10 years I’ve put out glimpses of who I am in my music, but I’ve never been able to piece it all together. I was chasin’ whatever bulls**t thing I thought I was supposed to be doing at the time. I’m done with that. February I’m putting out my first album since 2017, and this one wrecked me. I finally deal with the loss of my dad in this music, and this is an album I know he would be proud of. I wouldn’t use his picture for the cover if I didn’t fully believe in these songs. Today would have been my parents 43rd wedding anniversary, so mom I love you, and dad, this one’s for you.”
Over the last several months, Rice has released “Key West & Colorado” and “Way Down Yonder” as fans anticipated the announcement of his upcoming album. He finally revealed on Thursday that the project, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, is due on February 10, 2023. It honors Rice’s late father, Daniel Rice, who died in 2008. Rice previously explained to iHeartRadio that the photo on his upcoming album cover captures his dad on a trip to Wyoming in the ‘80s, donning a cowboy hat and holding a beer in each hand.
“My dad was one of those good guys you read about – tough, hardworking, always helping other people out,” Rice said in a statement on Thursday. “I try to live my life in a way that would make him proud. I haven't always measured up to that, but I get closer to that man I want to be and the man he’d be proud of every single day.”