Fans hoping to see country music star Chase Rice live this year got some bad news on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old took to social media to announce that he is stepping away from touring for a bit.

“Alright everybody, I wasn’t sure whether I was gonna talk about this or not but here we are,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’ve been touring for 13 years and I’ve lived a dream far greater than I could’ve ever expected. This isn’t a goodbye thing or anything like that to be clear upfront, although it may feel like that, but I’m exhausted.

“I haven’t been able to be myself on stage in quite a while and really enjoy music and why I got into it in the first place,” he continued. “I love songs, I love living them, hearing stories from other people, and figuring out how to put that life into music. After 13 years it’s finally beat me up to the point where I need to step away for a while.”

Rice said he needs to “go live life so that I have more real experiences to write down.”

“I won’t be touring this year and it wasn’t even really a decision, it was something I know that I just have to do for myself,” he said. “A lot of artists do this all the time, but it’s new for me so it’s kind of a big deal in my life. To my band and crew, I love y’all. You’ve seen me at my worst yet you still love me back like I’ve lived my best. I hope we can all get together in the coming years and get back to enjoying life on the road again.”

Rice said he loved the fans who have followed him on his journey.

“You have truly made a dream of mine come true,” he said.

There is good news for Rice fans, though. While there won’t be a tour, he said he does have “a handful of shows” in 2026.

“But it will not look anything like what I’ve done the last 13 years of my life,” he wrote. “I hope this year brings new experiences for me to put into songs that make y’all happy. Until then, thanks for the ride.”

Rice, a native of Ormond Beach, Florida, began his career in 2010. Aside from his country music stardom, he is a former linebacker for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was a NASCAR pit crew member for Hendrick Motorsports.

He also appeared on “Survivor: Nicaragua.”

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