RailFest is Saturday, May 16, in downtown Texarkana and Kicker 102.5 is proud to present Chase Rice in concert. Rice is one of the hottest rising stars in country music.Rice, who is on tour with Kenny Chesney, says he is excited about coming to Texarkana for his Saturday evening performance. "I've never been there before but I have driven through there countless times."

You can expect a party when Chase hits the stage. "If you ain't here to party, I'm gonna make you party.You're gonna be mine and I'm gonna be yours for an hour and a half."

This Florida native singer/songwriter carved his way onto the country music charts when he co-wrote the smash hit "Cruise" for Florida Georgia Line. Taking his cues on how to put on a high-energy show from some of country music's biggest stars, including Kenny Chesney, his idol Garth Brooks, Waylon, Willie and Johnny Cash.

Music fame aside, Rice has already had a very interesting life -- a life that includes playing football for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He also had a stint working as a member of the pit crew with NASCAR and even spent some time on the TV reality show "Survivor: Nicaragua."

"You'd be surprised how many people didn't even know I was on that show, but that's the way I wanted it," Rice said.

In my interview with him, I asked him if he was single. He answered, "Yes," and quickly added that he's totally focused on his musical career right now but that at some point in his life he does want to have a family and kids -- just not anytime soon.

If you ain't here to party, I'm gonna make you party.You're gonna be mine and I'm gonna be yours for an hour and a half.

After his success of helping Florida Georgia Line rise to fame with "Cruise," Rice released his own single "Ready, Set, Roll" and watched it climb the Billboard charts and reach gold before ever hitting the Top 20. The single eventually landed into the Top 5 before going Platinum.

Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Rick Diamond, Getty Images
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His latest album, "Ignite The Night," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album chart and No. 3 on the all-genre chart. His current single, "Gonna Wanna Tonight," continues to rise on the country charts as well. And Rice is not afraid to push the limits with a sultry, passionate, sexy song titled "Ride" with the help of star Macy Maloy. You can get a sneak preview of the lyrical video on his website.

Here's Rice's "Gonna Wanna Tonight" video.

Rice says the highlight of his career thus far is making his debut on the Grand Ole Opry and singing "The Dance" by Garth Brooks -- a tribute he dedicated to his father who passed away seven years ago this month. Rice initially intended to sing the song at his father's funeral but said he didn't think he could get through it.

"So to make it onto the Grand Ole Opry seven years later and sing it in front of an audience with my mom in the front row -- it just made it that much more memorable," he said.

When I asked about what he and his band do in their downtime Rice said they enjoy remote controlled cars. And anytime they're in a town with baseball facilities you may find them at a batting cage. "We just like to have fun because when you spend 250 days out of the year on the road things get get a little boring.

"It's not always all glitz and glamor as a lot of people think."

As for pre-show rituals, Rice takes a shot of Jack Daniels, says a prayer and recites his high school football coach's chant. Rice also told me his camera crew will film the crowd for his web video series he calls CR247 (Chase Rice 24/7).

"Everyone better come ready to party, get wild and have a good time. That will determine whether or not you make it onto the video," he teased.

Don't miss Chase Rice Saturday night. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. with the Dusty Rose Band. Rice hits the stage at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are now only available online for $20 until midnight Friday. Tickets may be purchased online Saturday for $25 until 4 p.m. or you may also buy them at the gate.

I'll see you at RailFest.

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