SC Native Returns to Home State, Taking Part in Palmetto Freedom Fest
Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer
After an injury to his arm derailed any chances of parlaying his Clemson football career into the NFL, Lee Brice a much-touted long ball snapper decided to head to Nashville in the early 2000’s. Brice was on the Tigers roster from 1998 until 2001. 20 years later the country music singer songwriter knew he made the right decision.
“I was pretty good under center, and we even had some meetings with NFL teams. But when I had cartilage damage to my elbow it all changed. I up and quit the team and headed straight to Nashville.” According the 43-year-old Sumter, South Carolina native aside from his family, he’s only pursued two passions in life. “Growing up I wanted to play football for Clemson, where I started, and my other goal was to play music. Football was kind to me for a while, but now I’m doing what I was born to do.”
Although it took roughly six years for his own career to begin to take shape, Brice did what every other hopeful has done for decades in Music City, he wrote songs for other artists. Several of his songs would end up being recorded by Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Sister Hazel. “I was making my way and getting by. That’s pretty much how it’s done in Nashville. Very few come here and have overnight successes. You have to want it.”
Five years into his Nashville journey Brice hit pay dirt when one of kings of country music decided to record a song he co-wrote with Billy Montana and Kyle Jacobs. Released as the first single from his third compilation album ‘The Ultimate Hits’, Garth Brooks took ‘More Than a Memory’ to the top of the charts in 2007. It became the first song to debut at #1 in the entire history of the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
That same year Brice signed with Curb Records and may or may not have had intentions to record ‘More Than a Memory’. “I’m extremely proud of that song. I’m proud of every song I’ve written, even the songs other artists have had success with. I do write for me, but if an artist discovers a song that is right for him or her, then I’m happy to oblige. I still consider them my songs.”
Regarding Brooks, “I don’t know anyone who’s going to say no to Garth Brooks. I feel sure he connected with the song right away. He must have, it went right to the top of the charts.” Brice adds, “When you’re struggling and wondering if you can afford to put cheese on your burger you make tough choices. However, when someone like Garth comes along you say, I’m happy you like my song well enough to record it.”
Most artists tend to make other songs their own. Brice says Brooks was mindful and considerate. “Even if they don’t try, it usually ends up different. Garth had his own vision. He changed it up a bit. But because he’s songwriter himself he was so sweet and so respectful. He wanted me to hear it before it was released.”
While ‘More Than a Memory’ helped put Brice on the map, he would find chart success on his own in 2007 with ‘She Ain’t Right‘, which peaked at number 29. He followed with ‘Happy Endings’ and ‘Upper Middle Class White Trash’ at numbers 32 and 44 respectively. Decent radio airplay for singles that had no album to back it up.
It wasn’t until 2009 and his fourth single ‘Love Like Crazy’ from his debut album of the same title that Brice would really make a splash. Spending a record 56 weeks on the charts ‘Love Like Crazy’ would reach as high as number three. “Things were really starting to fall into place for me at that time.”
Brice’s follow up album ‘Hard to Love’ delivered him his first chart topper with ‘A Woman Like You’ peaking a the top spot in April 2012, with the title track and ‘I Drive Your Truck‘ following suit. “By that time, I had pretty much spent 10 years in Nashville, and it felt like I was on the verge of really breaking through.”
The hits kept coming with Brice self-producing his third album ‘I Don’t Dance’ (2014) with the title track becoming his fourth number one. 2017 saw the release of his self-titled album, with ‘Hey World’ from 2020 his most recent. All total he’s had eight chart toppers since first breaking through on the charts.
“It’s hard to reach number one. It takes a lot of work, kind of like football. There are only so many spots on radio, and everybody is hoping and trying to get airplay. But you won’t hear me complain. It’s been a pretty good ride over the past 15 years. I’ve had success on the radio by myself and with songs by other artists. I can afford the cheese on the burger and take care of my family.”
While Brice continued to write during the pandemic and released ‘Hey World’, he re-evaluated his career during some downtime. “I began to appreciate how much my wife was doing all along raising the kids while I was busy trying to make it. Brice and his wife Sara have three children, two sons and a daughter. “I realized I have to spend quality time with them. You can’t get back the time that you lose, so decided I’m not going to be gone that long anymore. I need to be there for my wife and watch my kids grow up.” The Brice family reside in the greater Nashville area.
Lee Brice may have grabbed his part of the brass ring but his love for football remains as does his admiration for his beloved Clemson Tigers. “I’m a big fan of Dabo (Swinney). I obviously went to Clemson before Dabo showed up, but we are close friends. We text from time to time. He’s a good man, a good coach and a strong Christian. I feel sure that’s why he’s well respected on and off the field. I do as much as I can for the school. I’ve played in golf tournaments.” Brice has even written a song for Clemson called ‘Orange Empire’. “Just a song to fire the team up.”
In a career that has spanned over 20 years including several mean years what some of the highlights for Brice are. “Honestly there are so many. Playing Red Rocks and Madison Square Garden. Having Garth take my song to number one helped keep me on the right path. Having chart and radio success with my first few songs kept the fire burning.”
He adds, “I’ve been on some killer tours. But the one that comes to mind right away is the summer (2011) I spent with Willie Nelson. It was the Country Throwdown Tour, and I was out there with Jamey Johnson and Randy Howser. Willie is without question a living legend and surprisingly very talented. I had a blast on that tour, and it introduced me to country music fans. It’s been a good ride so far.”
Brice recently wrapped up his summer ‘Label Me Proud’ tour which had him headlining with his good friends as his opening acts, including Michael Ray, Tyler Farr, Tim Montana and Jackson Dean.
Where did Brice gain his appreciation for country music. “Mainly from my parents and family members. Everyone was big into gospel and traditional country music. I remember waking up to the alarm clock radio and hearing 80’s and 90’s country music coming out. That’s when I began to appreciate guys like Garth and Alan Jackson.”
A South Carolina native Brice will return to Charleston in early November to take part in the Palmetto Freedom Fest along with fellow country rockers Big & Rich. The patriotic show is a benefit concert supporting Fold of Honor, a non-profit organization awarding scholarships to the spouses and children of America's fallen or disabled military.
“I love performing in my home state but performing in a show of this magnitude is really special. And sharing the stage with Big and Rich is awesome. Certain artists support the military, but John (Rich) is so patriotic and really gives his all for the military. Our military give the ultimate sacrifice and it’s so easy for us to give back.”
Brice adds, “For me it’s an honor, and I love that I get to come home to South Carolina and be a part of this great tribute, and maybe have family and friends come out. The people who work behind the scenes with Folds on Honor are good people and hopefully shows like this one coming up will help grow support for the organization.”
For more on the Palmetto State Folds of Honor visit their website at https://palmettostate.foldsofhonor.org/ and for the Palmetto Freedom Fest visit
