Mewow! Billboard’s Energy Pets is a brand new characteristic specializing in musicians’ finest pals — no, not the people — however the furry (and a few scaly and feathery!) ones who convey further pleasure and companionship to artists. Celebrities will likely be sharing candy particulars about their beloved pets and the way their furbabies enrich their lives. For the second story within the installment, we talked to nation artist Chase Rice.
Chase Rice might sing “you’re proper there in that bench seat subsequent to me” in his emotional tune “Bench Seat,” however these days, it’s Jack – his beloved canine and finest buddy – who sits subsequent to him on the live performance stage throughout his efficiency of that tune.
“[‘Bench Seat’] was the explanation I obtained Jack,” the nation artist tells Billboard of his black Lab and the monitor concerning the therapeutic energy of canines that was impressed by a buddy’s psychological well being struggles. Because the songwriter beforehand shared, Rice’s pal’s personal canine saved the buddy from a really darkish second by merely laying its head on his lap to create an unbreakable connection throughout that tough time.
“[Jack] was initially alleged to be the puppy in the video, however it took us a yr and a half to get it collectively, so he’s the middle-aged canine within the video,” Rice explains of the visible for “Bench Seat,” which reveals that the monitor is from the pooch’s viewpoint. “That tune is the very motive that I obtained him. I knew the day that I wrote it that it was lastly time for me to get a canine.”
Rice says that he’s all the time needed a duck canine since childhood, in order that’s what he seemed for when he started his search. “I met a man who works with Mossy Pond Retrievers in Georgia, and he mentioned in order for you a duck canine, get a black Lab, so we made a plan.” Now, shares Rice, Jack is “licensed as a grasp hunter and he’s my finest buddy.”
And a much-loved buddy at that. “Earlier than each meal, I’ve him sit and I hug him and inform him, ‘I really like you and also you’re the very best canine I’ve ever had.’” the singer-songwriter says. “He has no clue that he’s the one canine I’ve ever had, however I’ll hold telling him that each one the identical.”
Rice says Jack has taught him about love and duty as effectively: “I do know he’s made me a greater man.”
Learn on to study extra about Jack from Chase Rice.
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All About Jack
Picture Credit score: Evan DeStefano Age: 4 years
Hometown: Nashville
Kind/breed: Black Lab
Favourite toy: Water bottles. It drives me loopy, however he loves them.
Favourite nap spot: The sofa, then the ground, and backwards and forwards for no motive.“He was the chunkier one out of the 2 males from [the litter I was considering]; the opposite one seemed just like the Terminator,” Rice remembers of choosing his pup. “Jack seemed fats and I beloved that. He’s since formed up.”
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The Finest Factor Jack Has Modified About Chase’s Life
Picture Credit score: Evan DeStefano “The time we spend and adventures we get into” are two issues the singer cherishes that his canine has introduced into his life. “I’ve ended up chasing birds in locations I had by no means even heard of due to Jack and understanding I didn’t wish to miss the chance to see him get yet another hen.”
“One time this yr I despatched Jack on a 350-yard retrieve for a wounded mallard in Oklahoma; just some hand alerts and he was throughout that duck,” remembers Rice. “That’s an extended retrieve, however he did it completely. Only a few hours later, he was on stage with me that evening partying. He’s a jack-of-all-trades: enterprise by day, occasion by evening.”
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Jack’s Response to Being on Stage
Picture Credit score: Evan DeStefano “I convey him on stage for one tune throughout my set; he simply sits subsequent to me and appears for my approval on the finish to not need to heel anymore and to have the ability to go occasion with the followers,” explains the artist.
As for the primary time Jack went on stage? Rice says the Lab was nonetheless a pet on the time, and was “a bit of nervous.” However that didn’t final. “He obtained used to it after I began letting him go down and run in the direction of the gang, as a result of he loves folks. The primary time I did it was actually nearly me desirous to have my canine with me. He was going to coaching that evening for about six months, and I needed him with me as a lot as doable, so I introduced him up there on stage. That was a tricky evening as soon as he left.”
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Jack’s Musical Tastes
Picture Credit score: Evan DeStefano “I feel he’s fairly sick of listening to something by me at this level,” admits the singer.
No matter how Jack might really feel about his music, that hasn’t stopped Rice from mentioning his beloved buddy in his songs. “‘Arkansas’ had a point out of him in there,” the songwriter shares. “An unreleased tune known as ‘October’ has his title – undecided if I’ll put that one out. He’ll get a bunch of songs over these subsequent few years, I’m certain.”
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A Sibling for Jack?
Picture Credit score: Evan DeStefano Rice talked about in a candy March 2023 Instagram post for Jack’s 2nd birthday that his canine was “dangerously near having a bit of bro.” So did the musician develop his household? “I’ve actually been messing with the considered breeding Jack or simply getting one other breed that’s not a working canine,” he shares. “With my schedule, it’s gonna be actual powerful to have two, so for now, I’m sticking with simply Jack. High quality over amount.”
