Chase Matthew recently sat down for an interview with Country Now, but this wasn’t just any interview because he wasn’t by himself, he was accompanied by an extra special guest. As he walked through the doors of the JW Marriott Nashville, Matthew’s four-legged best friend, JD, appeared by his side, wagging his tail and moving at a leisurely pace.

While making themselves at home in the cozy hotel room where the Country Now Pupdate is taking place, it quickly became clear that Matthew’s bond with his 12-year-old pup is strong. In between discussing his new album, upcoming milestones and touring with Keith Urban, we also got to know a bit more about JD’s “special” human-like personality and how he has been with the country star through many highs and lows over the years.

Matthew rested a hand on his loyal companion, a gesture indicating the strength of their bond, as he shared that the pup has “been around for a long time.” At just one year old, JD found his forever home with Matthew, who rescued him from a “crazy situation.” But after all these years together, it’s clear that Matthew didn’t just save JD. They actually saved each other.

“He’s in the right hands now and I’m just so grateful that I have him and he’s been [the] best therapist I could have ever had.”

They turned out to be the perfect match for each other not only because they share a love for music, but they can also understand each other without saying a word.

“He’s like a human in a dog’s body. I think everybody says that about their dog, but he doesn’t speak, he doesn’t bark unless he feels like there’s danger…honestly, you can get him to howl sometimes. That’s probably one of his coolest things. He could sing. He could sing like his daddy.”

Since JD doesn’t care much for the constantly moving nature of the road life, he often stays back home with Matthew’s mom. However, when they’re together, JD plays a big part in helping Matthew relax and unwind.

“He’s a great guy to just lay on the floor in the studio and just listen to you play some piano and obviously you can see right now he loves to just chill and lay out. This paw’s trying to push me out of the way right now,” Matthew said pointing out the foot nudging him. “He wants all the space to himself.”

The singer/songwriter and his companion have been spending a lot of time in the studio lately, working on new music and soaking in the success of his fan-favorite single, “Darlin’.” While reflecting on the journey of the song, he recalled the moment he played it live acoustically for the first time at Nashville’s 2024 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and seeing the audience of industry members go “wild” over it. Once fans got their hands on the tune through the airwaves, it quickly became a “crowd favorite.”

“It’s been really cool to see the progress of ‘Darlin’ and see where it’s taken me and opened more doors and just seeing it being played on the radio now. It was a very kind of a nerve-wracking time because all I had was two guitars and sometimes it’s hard to show what the record really sounds like with just two guitars, but I remember I took a guitar and laid it over and beat it like a drum. And I think that was probably what made it different from everything else that you probably heard that day,” he said, describing his performance.

Now, a year following that memorable showcase, Matthew has shared even more new music with the release of his third studio album, CHASE.. Leading up to the debut, the Music City native stated that he “feels good” and is “excited” to start leaning into the expectations and plans he set for himself going into the new year.

“There’s a lot of things I think that I learned in 2024 about myself, about my team, about my capacity and just creatively how I can be better and just make it more fun and to the point. This year is going to be huge, and I’m just really excited for everybody to see it.”

CHASE features 13 tracks, eight of which Matthew co-wrote alongside one solo write. Plus, the project spotlights a collaboration with the ever-so talented, Lauren Alaina on “HEART HALF EMPTY.” While he’s happy keeping the track list at a digestible 13 and giving fans “a lot of really good songs,” Matthew hinted that more could be on the horizon with a deluxe edition, but that’s still up for discussion.

“I did a 25-song album in 2023, and I think for some people a double album is cool at the right time, but I learned my lesson there. You don’t want to flood too much music at once because I want everybody to be able to hear the project while they’re on a road trip. And if the road trip ain’t four hours long, then you’re going to run out of time,” he joked.

One track that has gotten a huge response from fans is “DRIVES MY TRUCK,” which he dubs as one of his “favorites” in the collection.

“I’ve been holding onto that song for three years and we finally took it to the studio and went crazy with it and I love it. It’s something that’s a little different than what I normally do. I feel like I’m more on the rock/pop driven side of country, but this one’s more like ‘90s rockabilly and I think that people will really enjoy that.”

Matthew celebrated the album release with a show at Music City’s Ryman Auditorium. He said this was “one of the biggest days of my life.”

This sold out show took place in the midst of Matthew’s 2025 World Tour, which runs through April and includes stops across the U.S., U.K., and Europe.

“I’m just really excited to say that we’re taking the music outside of the states and it’s something I never thought would happen. So definitely a blessing and I have a great team and great fans.”

Once he wraps up his headlining trek, the Warner Music Nashville artist will join Keith Urban’s HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR this summer, with dates in the U.S. and Australia. Getting the chance to hit the road with an act as accomplished as Keith Urban is a true testament to the talent and potential Matthew possess. And it’s safe to say getting the call and hearing that praise from the “Straight Line” singer himself is something he will never forget.

“This phone call was crazy. So I’m going on tour with Keith Urban this year, and the way I found out was just a wild chain of events, really. Ken, my manager called and he’s like, ‘Hey man, you’re not going to believe the phone call I just got.’ I was like, ‘what do you mean?’ He’s like, ‘well, somebody just called me. I believe it was Keith’s manager’ and he was like, ‘Hey man, Keith is really into what Chase is doing and would you guys be interested in going on a tour with us?’ And I was thinking to myself, oh my God, I just got off this tour with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan and I was like, I didn’t know if we were going to focus on our own headline tour or if we were going to go back out with somebody. So for that opportunity to come up when it did was awesome,” Matthew recalled.

Come to find out a few days later, Urban had been spreading his name around town and giving him rave reviews to other higher ups in the industry.

“I didn’t even know Keith Urban knew I was or what I was doing. So for that to happen, definitely a chain of events that I’ll never forget and now I’ve got to meet him and we recorded liners the other day for the tour and I can tell you that dude is so cool and we are really pumped, me and the whole team.”

Matthew’s excitement was radiating throughout the room as he discussed all the “dream-come-true” opportunities coming in 2025, however JD did not express the same enthusiasm. In fact, he was nearly asleep and ready for the interview to be over with.

Before saying goodbye to the man and his best friend, we asked about his goals for the months ahead. The rowdy country singer explained that having fun is at the top of his list, acknowledging that 2024 was “fast paced” and didn’t allow much time to stop and enjoy the memories he was making.

“This year, I want to just take some time to just be like, look at where you’re at, man, enjoy it. Pat yourself on the back. And that’s something I didn’t do enough of. So yeah, this year with the new album, I really hope that it resonates with the fans.”

On top of that, he hopes to score his first No. 1 at country radio. He’s had a taste of the Top 5, but now wants to make his way to the top.

“I believe ‘Darlin’” [is] going to be a really big hit. And if it ain’t, we’re going to follow it with another one. But I’d like to manifest things. Number one, ‘Darlin’.’ Country Radio. You heard it here first. Let’s go.”

This series is created in partnership with Nom Nom. Nom Nom is here for dog parents, who are eager to add enrichment and excitement to their dog’s mealtimes (and lives) with vet-developed food that’s nutritious and delicious. 

The post Chase Matthew Talks New Album, Touring with Keith Urban, and His Unbreakable Bond with His Rescue Pup, JD appeared first on Country Now.