Casey Chesnutt Steps into the Spotlight with Debut Single “Uninvited Guest”

With a last name that echoes through the halls of country music history, Casey Chesnutt is stepping out from his father’s shadow and into his own light. The Texas-born singer-songwriter officially debuts today with “Uninvited Guest,” released via Clearwater Records / ONErpm. Alongside the single, Chesnutt dropped the track’s official music video, further cementing his arrival on the national stage.

The son of ’90s country icon Mark Chesnutt, Casey’s musical roots run deep — but he’s never tried to simply walk the same road. Instead, he’s carved a path uniquely his own, blending the tradition of classic honkytonk with the grit of the Texas Red Dirt scene. With “Uninvited Guest,” a brooding, barroom-ready ballad penned by hitmakers Jeff Stevens and Marv Green, he’s showcasing not just his voice, but his vision.

“You go to a bar, put a quarter in the jukebox, and this song sounds like what would play,” says Chesnutt. “You really can’t get any more country than that.”

Though he’s always been surrounded by the twang of ’90s country, Casey’s influences were never one-note. As a teenager, he gravitated toward the raw, unfiltered energy of Texas artists like Reckless Kelly, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, and especially Cross Canadian Ragweed. That Red Dirt edge—equal parts Skynyrd swagger and Texas storytelling—gave him the freedom to explore his own voice.

“It was a little more rock and roll,” he says. “It was really dirty, kind of like raw gritty sound—kind of like Lynyrd Skynyrd, but cooler.”

That exploration didn’t come easy. When he began writing songs that didn’t fit the Nashville mold, some questioned his direction. Being the son of a country legend came with expectations, and Casey knew full well what people wanted to hear. But he also knew what he needed to say.

After a tour of duty in the Marine Corps, he returned home more focused than ever. He recorded an entire album in a hotel room, released music independently, and hit the road with a band he assembled himself. But it wasn’t until a song called “Even Texas Couldn’t Hold Her” that everything clicked. The track struck a balance between the nostalgic sound fans expected and the bold style Casey wanted to deliver. Encouraged by the reception, he leaned harder into his own creative instincts.

That persistence caught the attention of veteran manager Tony Conway, who helped connect Chesnutt with Clearwater Records. Now, with a supportive team behind him, Casey is ready to reach a national audience while staying true to his Texas soul.

“This journey’s been long, and it’s been fun—but it’s also been a lot of work,” Chesnutt says. “I hope people will listen and hear a good song. And if they like what they hear, maybe they’ll stick around for more.”

With “Uninvited Guest” now streaming everywhere and more new music on the horizon in 2025, Casey Chesnutt is proving he’s not just following in famous footsteps—he’s forging his own. And he’s just getting started.