Chase Locke's journey defies a single narrative. Growing up on a Butler County ranch, he credits a Garth Brooks concert at age 8 or 9 as his first taste of what community really feels like-not the performer, but the crowd, the strangers, the shared experience. That spark of curiosity about people and connection never left. From sixth-grade theater auditions (where he forgot his lines and sang Happy Birthday) to eventually becoming CEO of One Country, a country music media company, Chase's career reads like a series of "why not?" decisions that somehow connected into something coherent. His philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: follow what interests you, build genuine relationships, and let opportunities emerge naturally. Chase credits much of his success to surrounding himself with people smarter than him and approaching every situation as a chance to make friends rather than close a deal. This conversation with Samuel McVay explores how a ranch kid from Kansas ended up in Nashville media, what drives his decisions, and why curiosity-not a rigid five-year plan-might be the best career strategy.
Chase Locke doesn't fit into neat categories, which might be exactly why his career makes sense.
Growing up on a ranch in El Dorado, Kansas, Chase was the creative kid among his brothers who all wanted to be ranchers. He attributes that creativity to ranch life itself-spending days outside, daydreaming, letting imagination run wild. His father occasionally did rodeo shows on weekends, exposing young Chase to small community performances. But everything shifted when Garth Brooks came to the Kansas Coliseum for one of his iconic '90s tours. Chase was 8 or 9 years old.
"My memories aren't of him," Chase recalls. "They were of all the people. I remember some stranger put my brother Christian on his shoulders because we were all there, we were little." That moment crystallized something for Chase: events aren't about the performer-they're about community, connection, and how a crowd of strangers becomes something bigger together.
Finding His Path Through Curiosity
Unlike peers with a five-year plan, Chase followed curiosity. He got into theater in sixth grade (an audition where he memorably forgot his lines and sang Happy Birthday to a classmate). He worked in radio. He got involved in nonprofits and local government. He eventually moved into Nashville media and became CEO of One Country. On the surface, it looks random. But the throughline is consistent: Chase pursued whatever interested him, built relationships along the way, and let opportunities find him.
His philosophy on building connections is deceptively simple: make friends, not deals. When advising friends breaking into competitive industries like music, he tells them to drop the agenda. "The only rule is there's no objective that you have," he says. "Just go make friends. Let them get to know you. If you don't vibe with someone, move on."
This relationship-first approach mirrors what successful local business owners learn: authentic connections generate referrals and growth far better than transactional thinking. Whether it's a service business building trust in its community or a media company cultivating talent relationships, the principle holds-people do business with people they like.
Chase's career demonstrates that the most interesting paths often come from following curiosity rather than chasing titles. His success suggests that the best strategy isn't always a strategy at all-it's surrounding yourself with smart people, staying genuinely interested in their work, and letting the network do what networks do naturally.
How did Chase Locke go from ranch life to becoming CEO of a country music media company?
Chase followed his curiosity from his ranch upbringing into the media and entertainment space. His journey shows that success often comes from pursuing what interests you and building expertise in unexpected industries. The full story of how he made this transition is covered in Episode 54 of the Killer Growth Podcast.
How can country music media companies and entertainment businesses benefit from digital marketing?
Media and entertainment companies need digital marketing to reach their audience, build brand awareness, and drive engagement across multiple platforms. Local SEO, Google Ads, and Meta Ads help these businesses get discovered by fans and advertisers. Social media management keeps their content visible and builds community around their brand.
How does KillerGrowth help media and entertainment businesses grow online?
KillerGrowth specializes in local SEO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, website design, GoHighLevel CRM, and social media management. We help entertainment businesses increase visibility, drive traffic to their websites, manage customer relationships, and scale their online presence. Our strategies are designed to turn curious audiences into loyal followers and customers.
What makes KillerGrowth different from other digital marketing agencies in Wichita?
KillerGrowth works exclusively with local service businesses and media companies who need real results. We combine local SEO expertise with paid advertising, CRM automation, and web design-not just one service. Our team, led by Samuel McVay, focuses on businesses that want to dominate their local market and actually measure ROI, not vanity metrics.
How can I get started working with KillerGrowth?
Book a free strategy call with Samuel McVay at killergrowth.com/booking. We'll discuss your business goals, audit your current marketing, and show you exactly how to get more clients online. No obligation-just direct advice from a team that knows what works.