Country music singer Chase Rice lives between two extremes—thousands of fans on tour and nights alone in the wild with nothing but silence, the stars, and his dog Jack. His Capri Camper isn’t just an escape. It’s a return to who he really is.

Chase Rice has taken a few sharp turns in life. He played Division I football at the University of North Carolina. He survived—and nearly won—Survivor: Nicaragua. Then he rocketed to country music stardom with multi-Platinum hits like “Eyes On You,” “Ready Set Roll,” and “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” With over 2.6 million albums sold, 2.8 billion streams, and a global fanbase, Rice has spent more than a decade chasing big dreams on even bigger stages.

But in 2020, the fast lane slowed, and something shifted. Away from the spotlight, Rice returned to the quiet things that once grounded him: hunting, fishing, and the open road. He bought a bison farm, hit the highway in an Airstream, and eventually downsized to something simpler, more personal; a Capri Camper. He calls it “The Doghouse,” and shares it with his four-legged copilot, Jack.

In our interview, Rice opened up about what it means to travel light, live with intention, and make room for unplanned and unforgettable moments. What he’s found out there isn’t just scenery. It’s clarity, peace, and a version of himself that fame couldn’t quite reach.

Above: Chase Rice performing with Jack at his side in Tampa, Florida

Were you always into the outdoors growing up, or did that come later in life?

I grew up outdoors. We’d camp a little, but it was mostly hunting. We would deer hunt, turkey hunt, and duck hunt a little bit. Then football was my life during college. So, I got away from the outdoors.

Something happened starting in 2010. I lost my dad. I lost my football career to an injury. Then I moved to Nashville and—when you’re partying—the outdoors just aren’t in your thoughts. I lost who I was for a little while.

Then 2020 happened. I stayed home. I was with friends in Nashville. And that’s when my love for the outdoors started up again. Man, it went full force. I started elk hunting again. I started fishing again. I bought a farm in 2016 and, in 2020, I added a herd of bison. I’m looking at the bison right now.

About four years ago, I bought my Airstream. I really enjoyed being more mobile, especially for elk and duck season. During winter hunting trips, the water lines would freeze and I’d have to winterize it. At the same time, I have so many friends who offered me a bed or a house or a couch that I realized I wasn’t staying in the Airstream that much.

That’s when I started looking on Instagram and came across the Four Wheel Camper Hawk. And then I saw the Capri. I was looking at both of them and liking some pictures. That’s when Tyson from Capri reached out to me. That’s what focused me on Capri and started the conversation about building one. I’ve been in it three weeks now and I freakin’ love it.

Above: Chase Rice and Jack in their Capri Camper

What was it about a truck camper that made sense to you?

At first it didn’t. I thought, “Why the hell would I do that?” (laughs)

But I had a SmartCap topper on my truck and used that for my gear and towing the Airstream. Then I started thinking, “I could put a bed on my SmartCap.” That got me thinking about living in my truck. And that’s how I came across truck campers on Instagram.

Last year I came across a cheaper version of the EarthRoamer. It was still about two hundred and fifty grand. The actual EarthRoamers are like five-hundred thousand, or a million. I wasn’t going to do that because who has that kind of money to spend on a camper?

That’s when I started looking at the Capri. After a few years in the Airstream, I knew what I needed. I never used my kitchen in my Airstream because I would always eat out or go to a lodge during hunting season. When I was originally building my Capri order, I wasn’t going to have a kitchen at all. Then I did a psilocybin trip—mushrooms…

Are you kidding? All right! Now we’re getting interesting. (laughs)

Yeah! I did it probably three months ago—a psilocybin trip. From that point on, all I wanted to eat was whole foods: steak, fruit, and vegetables. And that’s when I started cooking for myself.

So I talked to Tyson at Capri and said I didn’t want to winterize the unit—so no shower. And I wanted a mini kitchenette and he said, “We can do that.” I use the sink to wash my dishes. I brought some cast iron from my house for the propane cooktop. And I have a fridge in there. And that’s all I have for my kitchen and it works perfectly.

I’ve hung my cast irons in the cabover. To the left of that is my gun rack. To the left of that are some little Yeti GoBoxes and a shoe hanger for my waders and my camping gear. And I have one rod to hold my clothes. I’ve learned how to live in a camper and how to be efficient. That’s for sure.

It sounds like exactly what you need and nothing else.

Exactly. In my Airstream, I’d buy stuff and never use it. I love gear. Gear is cool. I’m a gear guy. But I never really needed it because I had all the essentials. Now, if I’m buying something, I am buying it because I need it—not because I want it. If I buy it because I want it, I’ve got nowhere to put it. It’s forced me, in a great way, to stop buying what I want, and only what I need.

Above and below: The interior of Chase Rice’s Capri truck camper

We can relate to that. Living in a truck camper makes you think about everything you bring with you.

It’s funny. The first night I was in it, I drove from Texas to Boise City, Oklahoma, and stayed at Wild Bill’s RV Park. Funny enough, right next to me that night was a Four Wheel Camper Hawk (laughs). I woke up the next day, and the owner showed me his Hawk, and I showed him my Capri. That was my first night, and I had a blast. I loved it.

The second night I got all the way up to Sheridan, Wyoming—and everything started to unravel. Nothing I’d brought into the camper was organized, and I was exhausted from twelve hours of driving. It was just that night. I thought, “What am I doing this to myself?”

And there hasn’t been a night like that since. I got everything organized. You learn how to live in the camper. Wall hooks are essential. Bungee cords are essential. Putting things on the bed when you’re cruising is essential. It’s taught me how to be efficient and figure it out on my own. That’s what I love about it.

I get catered to in my life. When I’m living on a tour bus, there’s a driver to fix things. When I go out on these trips, there’s nobody to fix things but me. That’s what I’ve gotten back to, and it’s really fun to be efficient like that.

Above: Chase’s Capri has exactly the storage and kitchen he needs—nothing more

It sounds like it’s been really healthy to adapt to the experience of living in a truck camper. Is that a fair statement?

Absolutely, fair. I’m home now on the farm in Nashville and I have laundry, showers, and rocking chairs. I’ve got everything I need. This is easy.

Reentry to the comforts of home is easy. Going back out again can be tough.

It’s an adjustment. I find within a few days I’m ready to roll again.

Yes, us too. Would you say truck camping is more of an escape from the demands of your professional life, or a return to something meaningful that you were missing?

That’s a really good question. I think it’s more of a return for sure. I work really hard. I’ve worked really hard to get to where I’ve gotten. When I’m out on the road, I’m not working and I’m not talking to people about work.

On the road, I talked to Bill Good in Kalispell, Montana. I heard all about his wife who died four years ago. He’s from Amarillo, Texas. I wrote all these notes down. He’s 73 years old. He had an Italy hat on. He went to Rome for the second time because the first time he went was with his wife, and he wanted to relive that memory. So I was sitting in a bar in Kalispell, Montana, talking to Bill Good. That doesn’t happen in Nashville when I’m sitting at home.

When I’m out on the road, it’s not all about me. It’s about meeting other interesting people, seeing friends, relaxing, and enjoying life as it’s supposed to be enjoyed.

We call those moments road magic. You can’t plan them. You just have to be open to them, and follow them.

Road magic—that’s perfect.

I got invited to Gozzer, a pristine golf club in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for the Fourth of July. That was my whole plan as I made my way north in my Capri. Then my buddy said they didn’t have any room for me. So I thought, “What the hell am I going to do now?” I’d already driven all the way out there.

So I ended up spending the Fourth of July in Superior, Montana, with a fishing buddy of mine. He went home because he has kids, so I went down to the river by myself. I had my dog with me and was throwing things in the river for him when, out of nowhere, a van pulled in with a raft on a trailer. There were twelve people all jamming to music.

I stopped the driver and said, “What are you all doing? This looks like fun.” And he said, “c’mon down.”

So I spent the evening of the Fourth of July with my dog and twelve people I didn’t know in a raft they put in the river. Then, funny enough, one of my songs came up on the speaker. I didn’t realize that one of the guys figured out who I was and played the song to test me. I said, “What the hell? This is my song.” And he said, “I knew that was you!” (laughs)

We had a hell of a night. So that was road magic right there. A lot of moments happen like that when I think, “I’m not where I thought I’d be, but I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

“A lot of moments happen like that when I think, ‘I’m not where I thought I’d be, but I’m right where I’m supposed to be.’”

Yes! That was road magic for them, too. Have you found new song ideas from being out there in your camper, with new people, and having new experiences?

A million percent. I’ve already got five or six new song ideas. I wrote a song called, “These Mountains” as I was cruising through Montana. I wrote the whole song singing into my phone. I’m probably going to write a song about Bill from Amarillo, Texas. I love writing story songs. So I take the ideas and write the songs later.

I have a song called “Circa 1943” that’s coming out soon. I wrote that two years ago the first time I was in Superior, Montana. So I get a lot of ideas when I’m on the road, and write them on my phone.

Above: Chase Rice On Stage with Jack in Wilmington

I think you should name an album Road Magic, tell all these amazing stories, and record the whole thing in your Capri Camper.

I like that idea! The acoustics are pretty good in there.

You’ve chased some high-speed dreams—football, TV, and music. What are you chasing now?

First of all, adventure. I just love it. I’m single, I’m about to turn forty, and I have a dog. I don’t think I’ll ever get to do this the way I am now—certainly not within this dog’s lifetime. He’s four years old. If you get lucky, they live to fifteen. So I’m trying to enjoy this part of my life with me and my dog.

To answer your question, I’d like a family at some point. Until that happens, I’m going to soak in and enjoy this part of my life as long as I possibly can.

You might meet someone out on the road that’s as adventurous and outgoing as you are. You think you’re going to slow down, but you might find yourself speeding up.

Funny enough, I met Matthew McConaughey years ago at a CMA event in Nashville. I said to him, “I just saw you on ESPN and heard you got married. That’s cool, man. It’s good to see you settling down.” For whatever reason, I worded it like that. And he looked at me and was so offended. He was straight McConaughey. He said, “Settling down? I’m not settling down! We’re rolling!” He got all intense like that. It was a wake up call to me. Getting married and having a family isn’t settling down. It’s just the next part of the adventure.

That’s quite the moment. You’ve called your Capri ‘The Doghouse’. Is it Jack’s doghouse, or yours?

Both. I do everything for Jack. He’s right here with me. I’ll spend more on him than I do for myself. I made a video to make sure everyone knew about my new adventure and I said, “How do you like the new doghouse?” And I said, “Maybe I’ll call it that, ‘The Doghouse’.

It’s also pretty fitting for me because I tend to do things that get me in trouble, especially with women. The saying is, “Go live in the doghouse for the night.” So living in a doghouse is pretty damn fitting for me. If you’re going to live in the doghouse, it might as well be a nice one.

One night you’re on stage with thousands of people playing a concert and then you blink and you’re in the middle of nowhere—just you and Jack. Where are you in those two very different worlds?

I’ve been touring for twelve or thirteen years. For the first time in my career, I’m tired. I can see myself taking a break from the touring.

When I go off on these adventures, and I’m out in the middle of nowhere, I’m not tired. I am taking it in and living the life. I’m rejuvenated. I’m really enjoying that part of my life right now. I got off the road this past weekend, excited to get back into the Capri.

Above: Chase Rice On Stage with Jack in Kansas City

It sounds like performing takes a lot out of you, and being out in nature recharges you.

Being on the road and living with my dog is where I find the most peace right now. That’s where I’m finding the most energy. So, I’m doing that as much as possible in between my work. It doesn’t wear me out. It makes me really happy. It’s where I find joy.

It’s hard to take a break. My new music is really starting to fire off, which is really cool to see. At the same time, I’ve got guys on salary. I can’t afford to not work and still pay employees. I don’t know when that break from music touring is coming, but it is coming.

What is Jack’s life like in the Doghouse? Does he enjoy life on the road?

We did two thirteen-hour driving days in a row. The whole time he was sitting in the passenger seat like, “Dude. When will I be able to run around?”

In Montana, there are a lot of rivers and lakes and he loves to be in every single one of them. He’s well trained not to run in until I say it’s okay.

I trained him with my pool at home. He knows he can’t do something until I tell him to. He respects me and knows that I love him. I’m sitting here petting him now. He’s straight chilling.

Jack is loving the camper and our adventures. We were with some good friends recently and he always finds a ball and a sucker who will throw that ball to him 109 times before he wears out. (laughs)

When it’s just you and Jack driving, what’s playing through the speakers?

A lot of John Prine right now. I didn’t even know about him until eight or nine years ago. I’ve been playing a lot of him. I listened to a book on John Prine during one of my trips. Prine was never the most popular guy, but he stuck to his guns, kept writing his songs, and now he’s a legend.

I’ve also been listening to a couple of books on tape. The Boar’s Nest is a great book about Sue Brewer and the original outlaws. Anything I listen to musically or books on tape works its way into my music.

For anyone reading your interview who wants to live a little more free and with more intention, what would you want them to learn from your experience?

Me and my college roommate took a trip in a 1970 VW van back in 2014. Our whole mantra on that trip was, ‘enjoy the ride’. And that’s overall what I’ve learned. First of all, enjoy this freakin’ ride. It’s the only one we got. That’s how I try to live my life. Enjoy as much as possible.

I would also say learn how to live by yourself. Not that you want to be alone all the time. It’s solitude versus isolation. Learn how to live in solitude. And if you can’t afford a camper, do it in a tent. Go out and try to learn to live in that solitude. If you can live with yourself, you can live with anybody.

As a musician, it’s tough. Life’s scary when you get off the road. If you’re only enjoying it for the crowds and the praise that you get on stage—when it goes away, which it will at some point—it’s going to come crashing down. Go live with yourself in solitude.

Is there something you’d like to add that we wouldn’t know to ask you about?

I’ve got a few people in life that, every now and then, ask ‘How are you doing?’ How are you actually doing, and what’s going on with you? Those are the two questions I appreciate from the right people, especially from those you know you can trust. Usually, if you BS the answer, a close friend is going to know. And that can open an entire box, if you answer honestly. It can be a conversation that can really help you and your trusted friend.

Those are tough questions to answer sometimes. The other question that’s tough is, ‘What do you want?’

Yes. And then are your actions—the way you’re living or what you’re doing—in line with what you want? A lot of times for me, it’s no. (laughs) And then you got to rethink it and start changing your decision making.

For more information about Chase Rice, his music, and tour dates, visit chaserice.com.

For more information on Capri Campers, visit CapriCamper.com.