Tuesday, June 11, 2019 is a date that Chase Rice will remember for a long time. It was the date of his first Number One party. Chase celebrated the success of “Eyes On You” with co-writers Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStafano at The Tin Roof in Nashville.
Left to right: Ashley Gorley, Chase Rice and Chris DeStefano talk with the media at the Tun Roof. Photo: Preshias Harris
Chase, Ashley and Chris met with members of the music media before the awards presentation and recalled the day that they wrote “Eyes On You.”
“That day was pretty pivotal because it was not good in my career the day we wrote that,” admitted Chase. “I was on my way out of Sony. I think I had, like, a week left in my contract. It was a scary time for me, even though, looking back, I probably wasn’t acknowledging that as much, but it was a tough time. Like, ‘if we don’t get something going big right now, this could go south real quick.’”
Number One party toasts Evans, DeStefano, Osbourne
“Kiss Somebody” is the first No. 1 in the USA for Morgan Evans, both as a songwriter and as an artist.
(L to R): Josh Osbourne, Evans, Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano. Photo: Preshias Harris
Australian-born Morgan and his label Warner Brothers along with ASCAP, BMI and APRA AMCOS (Australia’s PRO) came together to celebrate for the three songwriters. Morgan, his producer Chris DeStefano (also a co-writer) and Josh Osbourne were at Sound Check January 17 to receive awards, kudos and plaques.
The single is off of his Top 10 US debut album, “Things That We Drink To.” Morgan’s artistic vision came full circle with his producer and hit songwriter Chris DeStefano. The eclectic country album arrived at #1 on the ARIA Top Country Albums Chart and scored a Top 5 debut on the all-genre ARIA Top Albums Chart in Australia. Evans’ current single “Day Drunk” has held the #1 spot on Australia’s Music Network Country Airplay Chart for 21 consecutive weeks. That track also topped the all-genre TMN Hot 100 Airplay chart for two weeks in Australia, almost unheard of for a Country act. The album has garnered critical acclaim and it looks like 2019 is not even going to slow down.
From 2007 talent show to 2018 No. 1
Morgan Evans. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Back Story: Morgan Evans moved to Nashville two years ago from his native Australia, where his career was already flourishing. He won a talent show in 2007 where the prize was a trip to Nashville to record a single. He is married to Black River’s Country star Kelsea Ballerini. He signed with Warner Bros in 2017 and released his U.S. debut “Kiss Somebody.”
Evans is supporting Old Dominion on the MAKE IT SWEET TOUR to kick off 2019, before joining the first leg of Dan + Shay THE TOUR beginning in February. At a NSAI fundraiser with Evans and his album’s co-writers and friends, they revealed that Evans and DeStefano had both co-written each of the album’s 11 songs (including the duet song with wife Kelsea)!
“Whenever I see the city skyline, I remember the first time I came to Nashville and I looked at that skyline and I imagined being a part of that community. And every time I have that thought, I get that rush of memories, especially on a day like today when we get to stop and look back and celebrate things. These guys have sat up here a lot of times, but for me, it’s the first I’ve experienced this. And I guess, more than anything, it means that I get to keep doing this for a long time.” – Morgan Evans
