Chase Rice returns to the emotional core of one of his most personal songs with ‘Circa 1943 – Live From Missoula, Montana,’ a raw live recording captured in Big Sky Country. Recorded onstage, the performance places the song back in the landscape that inspired it, amplifying the rugged spirit at the heart of “Circa 1943,” a cinematic story of star-crossed lovers from Rice’s eighth studio album, ‘ELDORA,’ which is out now. Introducing the song from the stage, Rice calls it “Hands down my favorite song I’ve ever written in my entire life,” before delivering the narrative in weathered vocals and smoky Americana tones. “This song is Montana,” he adds, as the live setting gives the track a rough-edged, bar-band urgency.
Co-written with Wyatt McCubbin and Oscar Charles, “Circa 1943” was inspired by a visit to Superior, Montana, and real stories passed down through Rice’s family. The song sits at the heart of ‘ELDORA,’ a 12-track album written in a Colorado cabin and shaped by a solitary creative vision. Born in the afterglow of a career-defining performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the record strips things back to their essentials, leaning into instinct, restraint, and the untamed authenticity of the American West. Recently, Rice also teamed up with Jack Daniel’s and the McLaren Formula 1 Team for a special performance ahead of the Austin Grand Prix, continuing a chapter defined by independence and hard-earned clarity.