Chase Rice has built an extensive fanbase headlining club shows across the country, but on Tuesday, March 25 he stepped “into the circle” for the first time, making his debut appearance at the hallowed Grand Ole Opry. Performing his current Top 40 single “Ready Set Roll,” as well as the crowd-pleasing “How She Rolls” and intimate ballad “Jack Daniel’s and Jesus,” Rice made a memorable impression on the nearly sold-out crowd.
The most poignant moment came when Rice, whose mother was sitting front and center throughout the performance, spontaneously transitioned from his acoustic version of “Jack Daniel’s and Jesus” into a cover of Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.”
“The first time I ever played a show was in my living room to my mom, who’s here tonight, and to my dad, who’s got a better seat than my mom, believe it or not,” Rice told the audience. “He passed away five years ago, but I want to sing you all a song that changed my life and got me into music and I sang it to him that day.”
Rice has been on a hot streak with the release of his latest EP Ready Set Roll, but the artist was quick to say his appearance on the Grand Ole Opry is a high point in his career.
“This is a huge milestone for me,” he noted. “I will remember this night and that first moment on stage forever.”
Rice is currently on the road performing headlining dates and can also be seen on Billy Currington’s We Are Tonight Tour.
(Photo Credit: Chris Hollow/Grand Ole Opry)
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