Entertainment
CHASE RICE UNVEILS HAUNTING MURDER BALLAD “HAW RIVER” OFF FORTHCOMING INDEPENDENT ALBUM GO DOWN SINGIN’ DUE SEPT. 20
HAW RIVER, N.C. – Celebrated by Billboard for “having storytelling details tumble from his lips, his portraits created quickly and efficiently,” Diamond-certified songwriter Chase Rice unveils his latest gripping narrative via today’s release of “Haw River,” offering fans a further glimpse into his highly anticipated independent album, Go Down Singin’, arriving Sept. 20. Pre-order/pre-save the album HERE.
Inspired by a chance encounter during a writing retreat in Wilmington, N.C. with Blake Pendergrass – who also served as Rice’s writing partner on the recently released autobiographical title track – the haunting and evocative song showcases his ability to weave gripping narratives with a raw emotional core.
As Rice recalls of the chilling murder ballad’s origin, “We met a girl who said, ‘I’m Kayla from Haw River,’ and my ears just went up. Blake said, ‘We should make that a murder ballad…’ and we were off. Between the series 1923 about those priests beating up and raping Native American girls and our imaginations, it got pretty dark.”
With vivid lyrics and a stirring melody, “Haw River” tells the story of a preacher who exploits his power, only to face retribution at the hands of one of his victims, highlighting Rice’s continued evolution as a storyteller and his deep connection to the themes that resonate with him. The song joins a collection of songs that explore themes of growth, loss and redemption on Go Down Singin’, marking a significant moment in his musical journey as he bets on himself with the independent release.
“Go Down Singin’ is about where I am right now,” Rice shares of the Oscar Charles-produced project. “It’s about taking everything I’ve been through, all the mistakes and the lessons learned, and turning them into something meaningful. This album is the most honest I’ve ever been, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
For more information, visit ChaseRice.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter/X and TikTok @ChaseRiceMusic and on Instagram @ChaseRice.
GO DOWN SINGIN’ TRACK LIST
(songwriters in parentheses)
- Go Down Singin’ (Chase Rice, Blake Pendergrass)
- Fireside (Chase Rice, Jackson Dean, Jonathan Sherwood, Oscar Charles)
- That Word Don’t Work No More feat. Lori McKenna (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
- Hey God It’s Me Again (Chase Rice, Corey Crowder, Randy Montana)
- Oh Tennessee (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
- Haw River (Chase Rice, Blake Pendergrass)
- Arkansas (Chase Rice, Rob Baird)
- Numbers (Chase Rice, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
- If Drinkin’ Helped (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
- Little Red Race Car (Chase Rice, Jackson Nance, Heath Warren)
- You In ’85 (Chase Rice, Lori McKenna, Oscar Charles)
ABOUT CHASE RICE
With more than 2.6 million albums sold and over 2.8 billion total streams, plus a legion of passionate fans at his high-energy concerts across the globe, Chase Rice has established himself as a powerful force in Nashville and beyond. With new releases “Fireside” and “Go Down Singin’” previewing his forthcoming independent album Go Down Singin’ (Sept. 20) as the follow-up to critically acclaimed album I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, Rice’s sound continues to evolve to reflect the realities of his life; from emotional reckoning to an admiration of the American West. The recent album, including standout tracks “Oklahoma” and “Bench Seat,” serves as a follow up to his three-part project, The Album, which featured his latest Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” and the Platinum-certified Top 10 hit “Lonely If You Are.”
This is the same gravelly-voiced Chase Rice fans first fell in love with years ago – but better, freer; unbeholden and uninhibited. The new music builds upon the success of his sophomore album, Lambs & Lions, which featured the 3x Platinum, two-week chart topper “Eyes On You” – Rice’s first No. 1 as an artist and the most-streamed song of his career. Lambs & Lions followed Platinum-certified Ignite the Night, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 3 on the all-genre chart, producing a pair of Top 5 hits; Platinum-certified “Gonna Wanna Tonight” and Double Platinum “Ready Set Roll.” In addition to guesting on sold-out stadium shows with Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks, Rice consistently sells out venues on his own headlining tours, including the recent Get Western Tour in support of his new music, and he is currently serving as direct support on Dierks Bentley’s Gravel & Gold Tour.
