in october 2008, atlantic records acquired distribution of "chicken fried" after live nation artists closed. the band's album "the foundation" was released under atlantic records' newly re-established country division in association with the home grown/bigger picture label on november 18 of that year. "chicken fried" reached no. 1 on the country charts that same month, making them the first country band to reach no. 1 with a debut single since heartland did so in 2006 with "i loved her first".