If you grew up anywhere near a television in the late 1980s or early 90s, you almost certainly remember the pulsing, iconic rhythm of Chevrolet’s most famous advertising tagline. In celebration of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, General Motors is officially bringing back the nostalgia. Today, Chevrolet announced the reintroduction of the legendary “Heartbeat of America” campaign, completely reimagined for a new generation of truck and SUV owners.

The five members of the rock band The Red Clay Strays pose together in a sunny parking lot while leaning against a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Rock and soul band The Red Clay Strays teamed up with Chevrolet to deliver a soulful, modern recreation of the iconic “Heartbeat of America” anthem.

Instead of just copying the original Motown-style anthem, Chevy took a wildly creative approach by partnering with one of the fastest-rising rock and soul bands in the country, The Red Clay Strays. The new track blends country, rock, and soul to honor the original nostalgia while delivering a massive, modern sound. Even wilder, the audio engineers actually traveled the country to record and weave the real, physical heartbeat sounds of everyday American workers and creators directly into the music itself.

Here is what you need to know about the revival, the vehicles featured, and the special-edition trucks hitting dealerships soon.

Legendary 91-year-old pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz wearing a black Snow's BBQ apron stands smiling while leaning against a silver Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck outside her Texas barbecue restaurant.
Legendary Texas pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz poses with a new Chevy Silverado as part of the revived “Heartbeat of America” campaign.

Real Heartbeats from Real Chevy Families

At the center of this revival is a focus on the everyday doers, DIYers, and helpful neighbors who define their local communities. The song actively incorporates the actual heartbeat sounds of three notable figures:

  • Tootsie Tomanetz: The legendary 91-year-old female pitmaster behind Texas’ famous Snow’s BBQ.
  • Josh York: The founder of Detroit-based apparel manufacturer Soft Goods, who uses a Chevy Suburban to run his business and transport his growing family.
  • Spencer (SB Mowing): The Kansas-native content creator known for transforming overgrown lawns for residents in need, using his personal Silverado to haul his equipment.

The commercial scenes were filmed across Texas and Maine, showcasing an expansive lineup of modern Chevy vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled during the broadcast spots for the Bolt, Trax, Equinox, Equinox EV, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado, and Silverado HD.

Part of the Broader “America 250” Initiative

The “Heartbeat of America” revival is not a standalone ad; it is part of Chevrolet’s massive, yearlong America 250 initiative honoring the people and values shaping the nation.

Front view of a white Chevrolet Silverado HD parked in a desert landscape, featuring a black grille, red tow hooks, and a monochromatic American flag graphic on the hood scoop.
As part of the America 250 initiative, Chevrolet is offering the Stars & Steel edition across five U.S.-assembled models, including the Silverado HD.

As part of this broader push, Chevy has also rolled out a limited “Stars & Steel” special edition package available across five of its U.S.-assembled nameplates: Corvette, Silverado EV, Silverado LD, Silverado HD, and Colorado. For every Stars & Steel edition vehicle sold, Chevrolet will donate $250 directly to nonprofits supporting veterans and military families.

The new “Heartbeat of America” track by the Red Clay Strays is available on all major streaming services starting today, with the television and digital broadcast spots launching immediately.

Join the Discussion in Our Forums

Does the return of this classic anthem give you total 80s and 90s nostalgia? What do you think of the new sound? Let’s talk about it in the forums: