Way before the #1 parties, the sold-out shows, the CMA nomination, and the double platinum songs, there was an idea.

NASHVILLE SINCE 2014 (BRETT) AND 2013 (CHASE).

“I sat down [with Brett] and said, what are some of the monumental moments in your life that have brought you to this point?” entrepreneur Chase Lauer says.

Brett Young, a California native, grew up with a baseball in his hand. In high school, he was a draft choice for the MLB, but opted for college to continue to play and up his draft spot. While there, he injured his elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery and ending his baseball career. He turned to music, eventually moving to LA, where he’d bartend at night and work on music during the day. At a hotel gig one night, he met Rutherford “Ruddy” Polhill, who had recently sold a company and who became interested in investing in Brett’s career. Although he worried it would be starting all over, he eventually made the move to Nashville. It paid off: a year and two months later, he signed his record deal with Big Machine Label Group. In May of last year, his second single, “In Case You Didn’t Know,” became the first country song of 2017 to go platinum. Many couples have chosen it for the first dance at their weddings.

Chase, meanwhile, had his eye on Music City for other reasons. The entrepreneur, photographer, and videographer had been living in St. Louis, where he managed artists and videographers and built a clothing line and a mayonnaise company. When he came to Nashville in 2013, he met and began touring with Sam Hunt, documenting much of the artist’s rise. Chase had the logo of a project he was working on put on some hats, just for he and his friends to wear, including Sam. The more the artist wore the hat, the more the demand rose, to the point that people were calling a Nashville bar where Chase and friends often hung out to ask where they could buy a hat.

Featured Hat: NEW Poly-Wool Blend hat w/ Versa Visor & Sandwich insert

When Chase and Brett met through mutual friends, the idea for an artist clothing line separate from their merch was still fresh in his mind. Together, they came up with Caliville, a brand of hats, shirts, and hoodies that embody the spirit of taking a leap to pursue something you care about. Though they officially launched last year, the first designs were as early as 2015.

“Whatever it is that you’re chasing down, Caliville is that representation of where you’re going.”

— Chase

Though Brett’s pivotal moments revolved around Nashville and LA, the Caliville mentality isn’t bound by geography. As Brett and Chase have done, it’s about chasing down your dream without letting yourself be hindered by the fear of failure. “Surround yourself with the right people, whether it’s equally passionate people, equally motivated people, or people that you aspire to be like,” Chase says. Walk around Nashville or check out a Brett Young crowd, and you’ll see a sea of Caliville merch, each pursuing their own Caliville moment.

Shop the Caliville line here: https://www.caliville.com

Watch Brett’s video for “In Case You Didn’t Know”

Follow them @caliville