Chevy’s trucks are known for an array of characteristics, and fans of the nameplates probably think of a number of things whenever they hear a particular model being bought up. However, one thing that might not always come to mind is “music.” Songs usually contain a number of topics, and Chevy’s trucks are no stranger. When you begin digging, you’ll find that music and Chevy trucks have a natural connection. For starters, the brand’s various offerings are consistently mentioned in all songs, and Chevy has also consistently teamed up with major music stars to help promote their vehicles.
If you’re truly wondering about Chevy’s connections to music, continue reading below to discover more. You’ll be surprised to hear about their partnerships with specific musicians, as well as a unique Pandora station that celebrates their musical mentions. This might not necessarily influence your desire for a specific Chevy vehicle, but it could at least help you understand how far-reaching the brand has become…
Chevy Truck 100
If you’ve ever listened to country music, we’re sure you’re familiar with how popular Chevy’s pickup trucks tend to be in these songs’ lyrics. Well, to celebrate the 100th year of the truck, the brand has developed a Pandora station called “Chevy Truck 100” to remind consumers of the brand’s standing in country music.
“At its most basic level, every song tells a story, while the very best songs also make an emotional connection with the audience,” said record producer Fred Rogers. “For artists, many of us grew up riding in a Chevy truck, making it a natural way to tell the story of our experiences. For our fans, a reference to a Chevy truck is something they can instantly relate to, helping make the story relevant to their life as well.”
The station will mostly include country hits, but the brand also slid in songs that may have mentioned Chevy’s historic crop of pickup trucks (including love songs and rock tunes). Ultimately, Chevy has proven to be a popular choice in music lyrics because of its connection to the singer-songwriters, and this sentiment emphasizes that the brand’s trucks can appeal to any type of buyer. Ultimately, Chevy’s trucks have become as synonymous with America as apple pie.
“We have built 85 million Chevy trucks over the past 100 years,” said Chevy Trucks marketing director Sandor Piszar. “In turn, our customers have created millions of memories associated with our trucks, be it working in the field or job site, cruising with friends or camping with families. That connection with generations of people is a defining characteristic of Chevy trucks, and something few other brands can match.”
Luke Bryan’s Suburban Concept
The brand isn’t solely celebrating their relationship with music. Rather, they’re also teaming up with famed musicians to help push many of their new products. This includes a recent partnership with country music superstar Luke Bryan, who helped develop a new variation of the rugged Suburban. Especially, the brand counted on Bryan to help emphasize the “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” mantra that they’ve been trying to accentuate. Clearly, they succeeded with this unique version of the nameplate.
“Chevy has been part of our family and a part of our work life on the farm for as long as I can remember,” says Bryan. “If you were a Bryan, you drove a Chevy — and I’m a longtime Suburban owner. This partnership is a natural fit for me and this unique Suburban represents everything I and my family want for our outdoor adventures.”
Specifically, Bryan and Chevy looked to combine the ruggedness and work-first mentality of a pickup truck with all of the amenities and capabilities that accompany an SUV. This meant engineers included new 22-inch wheels (with accompanying 35-inch-tall off-roading tires), a roof-mounted equipment carrier (will a cleverly-placed fishing rod holder), and a number of Bronze exterior accents.
“This concept is all about maximizing the Suburban’s space and utility for a family that truly enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities,” says Todd Parker, the Chevrolet Design director. “There’s plenty of room for all their gear, along with added amenities that make the journey more enjoyable.”
Of course, the vehicle is also plenty powerful. This variation of the Suburban is equipped with the brand’s 5.3-liter V8 engine, which manages to crank out an incredible 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque.
“If you live in that hunting, fishing, loving everyday mentality, you’re going to be a little more stress-free,” says Bryan. “And your quality of life will be a little better.”
Kid Rock-Inspired Silverado
While the brand’s relationship with Bryan makes plenty of sense, another one of their pairings may take you by surprise. Following the release of his hit banger “Born Free,” Kid Rock teamed up with Chevy to produce a special variation of the Silverado 3500HD. Chevy added several notable amenities and features to the pickup truck, including specific badging and emblems. The exterior was also highlighted by the additions of chrome parts, like a new grille and exhaust stack.
“With Kid Rock’s input, we came up with a chrome-like silver-metallic design that conveys an industrial, made-in-Detroit aesthetic that totally complements the other bold elements of the truck,” said Todd Parker, the design director for Chevrolet Accessories.
Of course, once you start to do a bit of digging, you’ll find that the connection really isn’t all that random. Kid Rock was born in Michigan, and he grew up relatively close to the Silverado HD plan in Flint, Michigan. As a result, the musician was a natural fan of the truck brand, and he was also a logical choice as Chevy was looking to further emphasize their Detroit routes.
“The Flint plant – and everyone on the line – is the backbone of America,” said Kid Rock. “I wanted the design for the truck to be bold, but with features and elements that wouldn’t be out of reach for working-class guys.”
