In 1994, Chris Cagle headed to Nashville to pursue music full time, spending the next five years performing odd jobs while polishing his songwriting skills. His writing vastly improved after meeting legendary writer Harlan Howard, who taught Chris how to write a true country song. Howard was so impressed that he was the first to publish one of Cagle's songs. A few years later, Cagle met Donna Duarte at a restaurant where he was working. He invited her to come to the studio to hear him record some demos. Duarte loved it and took it to her boss. Unbeknownst to Cagle, she was the assistant to Scott Hendricks, president of Virgin Records Nashville. She played it for Hendricks, and Cagle soon landed a record deal. When Virgin closed its country division, Cagle was absorbed onto the Capitol Nashville roster. Capitol re-released his 2001 debut album, Play It Loud, with two new songs, including the future No. 1, "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out." A self-titled sophomore effort followed in 2003. He released Anywhere But Here in 2006. My Life's Been a Country Song appeared in 2008. In 2010, Cagle released a new single, "Got My Country On," on June 28, 2011. The song became Cagle's first top 20 country hit since "What Kinda Gone." In 2012, he came out with Back in the Saddle. Chris Cagle continues to tour the country.