Chase Matthew’s life could have turned out entirely different. The 25-year-old beat almost insurmountable odds, including the loss of his best friend, who was murdered, drug addiction and homelessness, and came out on top. Matthew made his Grand Ole Opry debut this week, after his freshman album, Made For This, was released last year.
“I’ve been through so much,” Matthew told CMT, immediately after his inaugural performance on the Opry stage. “I don’t like to cry. I don’t think anybody likes to cry. If you do, it’s kind of weird. I don’t like to show my emotions, but tonight I felt like I needed to just let them out there. I honestly feel like I did really well, better than I thought I was going to do. And my guys killed it.”
Matthew doesn’t pretend to live a perfect, idyllic, fault-free life. Instead, the Nashville native lives by authenticity and transparency, a combination that works best, at least for him.
“Jesus partied with the sinners,” Matthew reflected. “I might party or drink or smoke, but you can’t judge people for living that life because they’re lost. I’ve done it. I get lost every once in a while. I have to reel it back in. I want to be a success story. And tonight I felt like I was on the right path to being inspirational and what the world needs more of.”
Matthew’s life has been far from easy, struggles he now willingly embraces. In addition to losing his best friend, Matthew dropped out of high school, and by his own admission made some unhealthy choices. But with a lengthy lineage of preachers within his family, Matthew may not follow that calling, but he is determined to not let his past struggles define his future.
“All I’ve ever wanted to be is a success story because so many people didn’t want to see me win,” Matthew reflected. “I want to give country music morals again. Make sure every decision you make in life that you do it with the full meaning of your heart.”
Matthew is currently at radio with “The Way I Am.” The rising star wrote the song with Hunter Phelps, Brock Berryhill, and Andy Albert.
“Breakups are never easy,” says Matthew of the inspiration behind the song. “I think we’ve all had those moments where you kind of lose yourself in a heartbreak — I know I have. When we wrote this one, we really wanted to explain that vulnerability because it’s just so relatable. ‘The Way I Am’ is one of my favorite songs I’ve released in a long time, and I’m so pumped for everyone to finally get to hear it.”
Matthew is currently headlining his own Love You Again Tour. Find music and tour dates at IAmChaseMatthew.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media / Hayden Burchett