Country star Chase Rice surprises die-hard fans who got engaged during his concert
It’s safe to say all eyes are on this newly-engaged couple after their proposal became the viral hit of a concert in Bay City, Michigan on June 21.
Matthew Peaphon, 28, proposed to his girlfriend of five years, Samantha Engelhardt, 26, and it was captured by none other than her favorite country singer, Chase Rice, during his concert set.
“I wasn’t planning on doing it at the concert,” Peaphon told “Good Morning America.” “I left the ring in the car, and while we were in line, everything felt right, so I ran back, got it and I waited until that song came on.”
Standing in the front row, Peaphon found his perfect moment when Rice began to sing “Eyes on You,” a country ballad that’s a favorite of the couple. Engelhardt told “GMA,” “It is never about where we are, but about being together in the moment.”
Rice saw the proposal only a few feet away from the stage and ran to get his phone mid-song to record his music playing a part of this couple’s love story.
It was like a music video coming to life. It was absolutely perfect.
“I didn’t talk to the band or anything beforehand," Peaphon said. "It’s pretty amazing that a singer-songwriter at their own concert would take the time to do that."
The couple was introduced through mutual friends five years ago and has seen Rice perform five times. Engelhardt even has a Chase Rice hat that has been autographed five times.
“He signed it every time," said Engelhardt. "At the end of every concert, Chase will get to the edge of the stage and sign a bunch of stuff before he heads out. It’s what makes him my favorite.”
With her favorite artist in Bay City and her mom in the crowd, Engelhardt said her proposal was exactly how it was “meant to be.”
“It was like a music video coming to life. It was absolutely perfect.”
Rice invited the happy couple backstage for congratulatory drinks and uploaded the video he took onto his social media accounts to share the good news.
As “die-hard” fans, the couple are thankful for Rice, his crew and are incredibly grateful for the support of the crowd that helped them celebrate.
Peaphon and Engelhardt are beginning to plan their wedding from their home in Caro, Michigan, and are hoping to get married in the fall of 2020.
