Chase Rice @ 2014 Watershed Festival
Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images
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Our Catch of the Day today comes from an artist who as a television personality battled the jungles of Nicaragua and as a songwriter co-wrote the longest charting #1 in country music history.

Chase Rice first came to national attention as a linebacker for the University of North Carolina. After graduation he joined Hendrick Motor Sports, working on pit crews for both Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson, winning two NASCAR championships as part of Johnson's Lowe's crew.

While working for Hendrick Motor Sports, Rice applied for a spot on CBS Survivor series. With help from a friend who had connections with the network and the program, Chase's application was accepted and he was off to Central America as part of Survivor: Nicaragua. Rice made it to the final three alongside Matthew Lenahan and Jud "Fabio" Birza, where he had a chance to win the $1 million prize, and title of "Sole Survivor."

Chris Rice In Concert - Indianapolis, IN
Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images
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In pleading his case to the jury, Rice claimed that he was being open with the jury about how he played the game, but was criticized both for his rash decisions and occasional indecisiveness, as well as being perceived as a follower under both Lowe and Lenahan. Although both Rice and Lenahan tried to accuse Birza of not knowing what was going on in the competition, the jury still ultimately chose Birza as the winner. In one of the closest jury votes in Survivor history, Birza received 5 of the 9 jury votes while Rice received 4.

On the nationally-televised reunion show, Rice played his single "Buzz Back". Although he received national media attention on the show, he says that reality show stardom did not help propel his country music career; instead, citing it as an important life event that was more valuable than money.

In July 2012, Rice signed with Creative Artists Agency. He co-wrote Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise", which topped Billboard Hot Country Songs for 24 weeks. This total, spread over three seperate runs at the top of the chart, was more weeks than any other song in music history, regardless of genre.

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In October 2013, Rice released Ready Set Roll, a 6 song EP including the title track. The EP peaked at #1 on the iTunes Country album chart. The physical version of the album was released in November 2013 and included the bonus song "Jack Daniel's and Jesus".

On June 30, 2014, Rice released the album cover, release date, and album sequence for Ignite the Night. The full-length album was released on August 19 and includes the Platinum-certified single, "Ready Set Roll". Today's Catch of the Day is the second single, Chase Rice - "Gonna Wanna Tonight", new music you haven't heard, but you're gonna wanna hear it again.

Chase Rice
photo by The Washington Post/Getty Images
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