They may no longer be cowboys, but 2015 was the best year for the duo now known simply as LOCASH. The duo played over 150 shows and released the song that has defined their careers thus far- ‘I Love This Life.’ That single has been a staple on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase country charts and is currently sitting at number three on the Billboard chart and number two on the Mediabase chart..
If you’re a country music fan, chances are that you have heard ‘I Love This Life,’ whether it be on country radio or a streaming service such as Spotify. The song is closing in on almost 9,000,000 streams on Spotify, which may be one of the biggest reasons why LOCASH was named to Spotify’s ‘Spotlight on Country,’ something that LOCASH is honored to be part of. LOCASH’s Chris Lucas tells NECM, “It’s really cool. Spotify is really starting to turn things upside down for artists. We’re just honored to be part of it. I listen to Spotify all the time and I think it’s awesome what they are doing right now.”
‘I Love This Life’ was co-written by Chris and Preston as well as ‘Buy Me A Boat’ singer, Chris Janson, and hit songwriter Danny Myrick. That’s a dang good quartet of writers right there! And this is not the first time the four have written a song together, as the four also wrote Tim McGraw’s ‘Truck Yeah.’ So what is it about this group that puts out successful country tracks? Preston says,
“I just think there’s a great energy in the room when we get together. You got Chris Janson, hyped up on Mountain Dew, and he’s stomping his boots and having a good time. You have Chris and I, who are big time dreamers, and are high on life. We love everything that is going on and uplifting other people. We always bring the party. And then you have Danny Myrick. He’s written some really big songs like ‘She’s Country’ for Jason Aldean. It’s nice to have those elements in one room, striving for an anthem kind of a song, which is what we end up writing most of the time- big songs that make you want to put your hands up, and that make you want to sing along, and be part of the party. It’s really exciting in that room when the four of us are there.”
For the duo, they acknowledge that ‘I Love This Life’ is the song that defines their careers so far. And while it may be the first single that got them in the top ten on the charts, the song also describes their place in life right now. “We really do love this life. It’s a negative world with bad stuff happening but I think this is what LOCASH is all about- having a good time and realness,” Chris says. So to say that this song is LOCASH’s anthem would be an understatement. But it’s also been very surreal for the duo to see the song as a constant on the charts, and constantly climbing the charts. Preston explains, “It’s been a long journey. Many, many years of relationships with country radio and just being out on the road doing shows. And to have this song take off like it did, and reach the top ten, has been one of those moments for Chris and I, where we have to pinch ourselves and say, ‘Man, this is really happening.’ I keep looking at the charts and seeing names like Blake Shelton, Jason, Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and it’s just unbelievable to see our name in the top ten like we’ve always dreamed about. To see it become reality is the coolest thing ever.“
When the guys aren’t writing hit songs, they have found a way to keep themselves busy while also making sure they aren’t thirsty. Described as being ‘In the right place at the right time,’ the guys have opened their own line of wines, collectively called Shipwrecked. Chris and Preston would not categorize themselves as wine experts but they know what they like and what they don’t, and that has been instrumental in putting the wine business together. “We were able to offer up our favorite tastes, the things that we love in a red wine, or the things that we love in a chardonnay, or the things that we love in a sauvignon blanc white wine. And they really listened to us and included those ingredients,” says Preston. Needless to say, we know what the guys’ bus will be stocked up with this year.
One thing that LOCASH takes pride in is staying true to the road and that hasn’t always been the easiest of things to do, especially to come to places like New England and the West Coast. It costs a little more money to get to the far corners of the country, but LOCASH has not let that stop them, which is why the duo has a great connection with the fans in the region. Preston explains, “New England fans have always been really great to us. We come all the way up there to do shows and it’s not easy… Chris and I always believe that we have to get out there and stay in front of everyone including those far corners of the country. New England has always connected with us because we’ve always stayed true to doing our shows up there and staying relevant with radio up there and making sure they know that they are important to us.” That determination and willingness is finally paying off for LOCASH as they are on the verge of their first number one hit after an incredible year. “If 2016 can feel anything like 2015 or even better, that’s what I am shooting for. 2015 has been the most incredible year of our lives, of our careers. If we can keep that feeling going or just a little bit better, we’ll take it,” says Preston. For LOCASH, there’s definitely a lot to love about this life. And we have a feeling they will have another reason to do so in the coming weeks.