iTunes PRE-SALE on "Think About That" is on!

$5 Off on iTunes Pre-Sale link to Chance McKinney's Think About That: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/think-about-that/id641836235

We, here at Chance McKinney Music, are excited to announce the long-awaited release of "Think About That".  Chance's sophomore effort (the follow-up album to CMT Award Winning, "Be Real") has already received thousands of positive reviews from fans who have picked up a physical copy at "live" shows which came out May 2nd during the CD Release Series throughout Washington State.

Of the 11 tracks on the CD, 3 were written by Chance McKinney (and co-write, Kevin Ray Lawson).  The other 8 were submitted by multi-platinum writers Frank Myers (12 #1's on Chris Young, Lonestar, John Michael Montgomery), Craig Wiseman (17 #1's on Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn), Brett James (11 #1's on Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Gary Allan, Jason Aldean), David Lee, David Frasier, James LeBlanc, Craig Boyd, Bobby Pinson, Brad Crisler and more.

"It was 11 of the top 500 songs pitched for this project, including the songs I written or co-written on" says McKinney.  "See, I wasn't bull-headed enough to think all my stuff was going to be better than everything out there so I put a majority of the decision-making process in Kevin Ray Lawson's (Producer) hands.  When he came back to me with his Top 20 and we compared it to my Top 20... There were 13 songs in common.  And in those 13, I was nothin' short of amazed to find 3 of mine!  From that point on, it was a 2-man brawl to narrow it down to 11 and get the album cut.  But, after we both got out of the hospital with my severe hangnail and a bruise to Kevin's shin, we got it done."

McKinney goes on to say "I realistically never thought it'd get finished.  There's so much to the process, especially when done right.  And all the while, we're testing songs at 'live' shows to get audience reaction to make sure we were on the right track.  I guess it all came to a head (emotionally) for me when I finished a show in Wenatchee, WA and I sat down to sign some stuff for the first little girl in line.  When I held the CD, and told her, it was the first time I'd held (or signed it, for that matter) the Think About That CD... we both began to cry."

"I've gone through things nobody should have to go through or know about in the music industry to make sure I honor those (my fans, former students and family) who put me in this position just 3 years ago with the CMT Win.  I truly hope Think About That is a step in the direction they want to see me go."

It's now a matter of setting the Music Industry on its ear with a strong showing at iTunes.  How many of you are still with us here at Chance McKinney Music?

iTunes Pre-Sale link to Chance McKinney's Think About That: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/think-about-that/id641836235

Track Listing & Writer Credits Below:

Kenny Rogers... no way! Yes way!!

Kenny Rogers along with Chance McKinney n' CrossWire on August 26th

I'd be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to say how thankful I am for opportunities like this that come up in this journey.  I stepped off the plane last week in Portland, OR preparing for the Willamette Country Music Festival with artists like Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and Blake Shelton only to find a text message from one of the biggest promoters in the Pacific Northwest on my phone.  It read... "You're IN for Kenny Rogers."  Period.  That's it.  No, not quite eloquent, but damn fine in spirit and "cut to the point"-ness.

 

I literally was Tweeting (as in Twittering) and Facebooking in the car rental line "just got asked to open for Kenny Rogers.  Is hellfrickinyeah one word or three?"  Over 50 comments and 120 likes later I realized the magnitude of what was just presented to me on a platter.  Dude, you and your band are going to open for one of the greatest ALL-TIME country artists.  I mean, a guy you grew up listening to on the portable AM radio that ran on batteries out in the fishin' boat with Mom, Dad and your brother.

 

Do you think I knew, (at age 5-ish) while I was casting away tryin' to keep up with the rest of 'em at a game of "whose stringer of bass was fullest", that I'd be sharing the stage one day with THAT GUY?!  No way...  the gravity still escapes me.  It usually hits right about showtime when we (the boys from CrossWire and I) are about to step on stage.  The headliner bus, limo, van, whatever pulls up and I catch a glimpse of Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson or that guy (Kenny Rogers) on their way to their hospitality trailer.  That's when it hits me.  I have 30-45 minutes to engage an audience and prepare them for a legitimate star.  No, not someone who just dresses the part or got to where they are because "daddy had some money" but literal "stars."  I mean, people who ooze talent.  And here I am, former high school teacher, CMT winner with a band full of talented musicians but still a kid from rural Montana responsible for flipping the switch.   That, is the moment.  That's the high.  That's the challenge.  And that, is why I love what I do.

 

Tonight, I'll be on stage with Paul, Ray and Brian "flippin' the switch."  Wanna know how the story ends?  It doesn't... but I'll try to keep you updated along the way through Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/chancemckinney), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chance-McKinney/160688966444) and Website (http://www.chancemckinney.com) if you're interested in taggin' along.

 

CM

Get signed up for Summer 2011

There are some AMAZING announcements and opportunities about to present themselves.  Concert announcements, ticket giveaways, meet n' greets and new music all provided by Chance McKinney n' CrossWire.  Make sure you're signed up at:

http://www.ChanceMcKinney.com on the email list for first announcements...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chance-McKinney/160688966444 at the Facebook Fanpage for ticket giveaways...

http://www.twitter.com/ChanceMcKinney on Twitter for "real" time updates from the road...

http://www.myspace.com/chancemckinney on Myspace for FREE streaming music at home, work or play...

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-real/id354579911  for the CMT Award Winning song "Be Real" and the ensuing album...

Let's make it a great Summer of 2011!  Get connected to Chance McKinney n' CrossWire and get in on all the opportunities coming your way.

A week in Nashville...

After spending 19 of the past 27 weeks out on the road, it's time to make a trip to the homeland.  I can't say I'm not lookin' forward to a couple months of "downtime" before we get geared up for the Summer Run of shows.  Already on the books are John Rich, Sebastian Bach, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Azar, Phil Vassar and Alan Jackson.

I'm totally lookin' forward to this week in Nashville.  Not only will I get an opportunity to sit down with some good friends (my booking agent BS, my attorney WH and my co-writer KL), but I'll also get to meet with some folks who could take this to another level AND write at a clinic with some of the greatest writers of all time (Rivers Rutherford and Bob DiPiero).

This is just ONE of the many cool aspects of this job.  It's ONE that off-sets so many of the negatives we hear about in the media.  The friendships that exist "behind the scenes" and the creation of new music keep me going.  The idea of bringin' something new to the table (whether it be songs, bookings, appearances, whatever) is always an exciting time especially when it comes to making a living at something you love.

Back on the road in April, but for now... it's "creativity" time and "family" time.  See you soon, CM

New TOUR DATES added as of 03/09/11

Chance McKinney n' CrossWire have added additional 2011 Tour Dates to their online schedule (http://www.ChanceMcKinney.com/tour.html).  More Tour Dates are on the way as Summer and Fall scheduling gets finalized for the National artist.  Rumored dates include, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Steve Azar, Alan Jackson, Three Dog Night, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town and Blake Shelton.