Colt Ford gives thanks ‘Every Chance I Get’

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Country singer Colt Ford

Updated: August 25, 2011 12:33AM

Colt Ford is a 300- pound self-proclaimed “bad-ass country boy”… who loves to tweet.

“I was on Twitter a few weeks back and all of a sudden I was getting all of these messages that Dierks Bentley just told all of his Twitter followers to go pick up the new album,” recalls Ford, who is currently touring in support of his latest release, “Every Chance I Get.” “Next thing I hear, people like Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean were doing the same thing. Those guys are superstars. They don’t have to take two seconds of their time to send a message out about Colt Ford.”

Finally earning the love of countless country artists and a devout fan base, Ford says the success he has experienced as of late is enough to make this bad boy of country want to show his softer side a bit.

“When it comes right down to it, I try to be a good guy,” says the Georgia native who will play Chicago’s very own Joe’s Bar on May 27. “I’m no Marilyn Manson. I’m a country boy. I believe in God and hard work, and I love my family, friends and fans. I’m actually quite emotional when it comes right down to it. I can definitely wear my heart on my sleeve.”

With sales of his recent album going through the roof and a recent 2011 CMT Music Award nominee, it’s no surprise that Ford is beginning to wonder what it might be like to come out of years of “just trying to get someone to care” as a fully fledged country star.

“I’m 40 years old and I really don’t need any awards,” says Ford. “My reward is getting to go out there in front of my fans that spend their hard-earned money to see me. But I’d love the chance to get up there onstage, on live television, and finally get the chance to publicly thank my wife, my kids and my fans for supporting me on this crazy ride.”

And appreciating the “crazy ride” to country music success is something Ford says other artists should be doing more of.

“In all honesty, we all owe our fans everything we have,” Ford says. “There are artists out there right now that really need to get over themselves. They make music for a living. It’s not like they are some sort of neurosurgeon. I’ll stay three hours after a show to sign every last autograph if I can.”

Fan support here in Chicago for his hard-rocking shows is something that Ford says he is amazed by.

“I don’t get a lot of play in the market, so I am always blown away by the crowds that come out,” he says. “Chicago is one of those places that has everything I love; sports, food, a bunch of golf courses and amazing fans. It’s always a good time.”

Tricia Despres is a local free-lance writer.