Firehouse Release First Song With New Singer

Firehouse is back with new music, a fresh voice, and a powerful tribute to their late frontman. Their latest single, “Mighty Fine Lady,” marks a new chapter for the hard rock group as they introduce their new vocalist, Nate Peck—an American Idol standout from Season 21. The song isn’t just a fresh release—it’s a heartfelt continuation of the legacy left behind by C.J. Snare, the band’s beloved original singer, who passed away in April 2024 at age 64 following a long battle with cancer.

Saying Goodbye to a Rock Warrior

Guitarist Bill Leverty recently opened up about Snare’s health struggles in an emotional interview with The Hair Metal Guru. “It was about two and a half years before [his death that] C.J. was fine. Then he had some stomach pain… and he’s just, like, ‘Man, I’ve never felt this bad,’” Leverty recalled. Despite feeling unwell during a show, Snare insisted on pushing through, saying, “No, I’ll get through it.” That dedication to the stage never faded, even as his health declined.

Snare’s illness worsened after a series of surgeries. “He had a scar [about 10 inches] long… and you would never know it with this guy. That’s how tough he was.” Despite brutal setbacks, including a grueling 12-hour procedure, Snare kept performing.

By 2023, as Snare grew weaker, he took a break to recover. Around that time, Robby Lochner (of Jack Russell’s Great White) recommended Nate Peck—a powerhouse vocalist with a golden ticket from American Idol. Leverty hadn’t heard of him before but was quickly impressed. “He just knocks ’em outta the park,” he said after watching Nate’s Instagram covers. One call later, Nate was booked to fill in for C.J. at New England Rock Fest—with no rehearsal. And he crushed it.

“I sent some video over to C.J.… He was, like, ‘Man, that guy’s good.’ He goes, ‘Bill, that’s your guy.’”

C.J. and Nate’s Bond and Blessing

C.J. didn’t just approve of Nate—he mentored him. “They talked almost daily,” Leverty shared. “C.J. gave him a lot of advice.” One piece stood out: “You’re running a marathon, not a sprint… don’t come out and blow your voice out in the first song.” Nate took that wisdom seriously, and it shaped his approach as the band’s new voice.

The original plan was for both vocalists to share the stage during C.J.’s return in July. “You guys sing a couple songs together… and whatever you feel, we’ll do,” Leverty recalled. Sadly, that never happened. Just one day after telling Leverty he was “gaining weight” and that “things are looking up,” C.J. passed away from cardiac arrest.

The band was blindsided. “We were in Texas… and I told everybody that C.J. passed away last night. We were just sitting in that airport going… We were not at all expecting that, ready for that. It was brutal.”

Writing “Mighty Fine Lady” With Heart

“Mighty Fine Lady” wasn’t just a way to reintroduce Firehouse—it was a labor of love. Nate sparked the project by asking Leverty for a riff. “I dug up a riff… sent it to him, and he sang on his little iPhone rig,” Leverty said. The verse came together fast. “It was so good… I said, ‘Let me write some music that’s more fitting.’”

They kept bouncing ideas back and forth. “You’re singing about the hot chick… let’s come up with something classy,” Bill said. That’s how “Mighty Fine Lady” was born. Drummer Michael Foster came in to add his touch, and Peck flew to Virginia to record.

“He was gonna fly in Friday night… record Saturday… leave Sunday,” Leverty recalled. But Nate nailed the take Friday night. “It was perfect. The guy’s just got all these really cool ideas… the natural way that he sings without even trying just has that bright tone that C.J. was kind of known for. And Nate’s got it. To me, it’s magic.”

From American Idol to Firehouse Frontman

Peck impressed American Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie during his audition. Richie called him “the best rock singer EVER that we’ve had,” and Perry said, “Actually, he’s SO good!” But Nate eventually left the show to carve his own path in Nashville’s music scene. He began performing live and singing with national acts like Jack Russell’s Great White—before officially joining Firehouse in October 2023.

Although he had no prior experience with Firehouse’s songs, Peck learned fast. His performance at New England Rock Fest won over fans and the band alike, and his dedication to honoring C.J.’s legacy is evident in every note.

What’s Next for Firehouse?

The new single isn’t on streaming platforms just yet, but fans can support the band directly by purchasing it at firehousemusic.com. “Right now, if you support the band directly, there aren’t a bunch of middlemen in there. And it’s way better for us,” Leverty noted.

As for new music? “We would love to. And we’re going to,” he confirmed. Though it might take a little time, the band is committed to continuing the journey.

Creating “Mighty Fine Lady” took time and care—especially in mixing. “I think I spent more time mixing it than I did recording everybody else,” Leverty admitted. “I want it to compete with our old stuff… but we also want it to sound like our classic kind of vibe.”

Carrying the Torch Forward

C.J. Snare’s passing left a huge void in the rock world. Diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2020, he kept performing as long as he could. His official cause of death was cardiac arrest, according to TMZ.

In a heartfelt statement, the band wrote:

“CJ was arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation… We are all in complete shock with CJ’s untimely passing.”

But Snare’s legacy lives on. With Nate Peck leading the charge and “Mighty Fine Lady” lighting the way, Firehouse is proving that the flame still burns bright.

And for fans both old and new, this next era might just be their most meaningful yet.