Chase McDaniel

Chase McDaniel crafts a rock-country fusion marked by sharp-edged confidence and candid, street-smart lyrics that draw from a life marked by romantic setbacks and personal detours, tempered by straightforward sincerity and well-timed wit. His self-released single “Relapse” achieved notable success in 2021, after which he expanded his audience with tracks including the defiant “Project” and the reflective 2022 ballad “Your Daughter,” all later gathered on his debut EP, Blame It All on Country Music, issued in 2024.

Born and raised in Kentucky, McDaniel spent his early years in Campbellsville and the nearby town of Greensburg. At age eight his grandfather introduced him to Josh Turner’s 2003 chart-topper “Long Black Train,” a recording he replayed constantly, captivated by the singer’s resonant delivery and roots-oriented approach. Encouraged by the same relative, young McDaniel joined his church choir and, by twelve, was performing regularly for the congregation while developing a keen appreciation for how lyrics convey narrative and how melodies can shape mood. His listening spanned AC/DC, John Mayer, and Tim McGraw.

Intent on turning music into a profession, McDaniel taught himself guitar, began playing live, and moved to Nashville in 2016 after being invited to join the vocal group 4th & Main. The ensemble merged modern country hooks with four-part harmonies, releasing a debut EP in 2017 followed by two more projects in 2019—Bad with Me and Imagine This Christmas. Although “I Prayed for You” attracted streaming attention, the band never broke through commercially, prompting McDaniel to pursue a solo path.

He first offered the self-released “Relapse” in November 2021, a song reflecting on a troubled relationship that quickly connected with listeners and performed strongly on streaming platforms. A sunnier follow-up, “Big City, Small Town,” appeared next. In March 2022 he collaborated with bottle manufacturer O-I Glass on “Better in a Glass,” whose buoyant message aligned with the company’s promotional efforts. His fourth independent release, “Project,” arrived in May 2022 and marked his commercial arrival; social-media clips of friends and fans dancing to the track helped propel it onto the Hot Country Songs chart at number 46. He maintained momentum that September with “Your Daughter” and “Drop Your Tailgate,” nearly all of which were later compiled on the 2024 EP Blame It All on Country Music.