Church grew up in the Granite Falls area of North Carolina and showed a keen interest in music as early as the age of four. One of Church’s first “paying gigs” was at this age. He remembers singing the song “Elvira” at a restaurant to a group of surrounding patrons who compensated his performance with loose change. It was not until Church was 13 that he began writing his own songs. At this time he wrote most of his music on a cheap electric guitar, which consistently fell out of tune. Church plugged along with his songwriting and guitar practicing and during his senior year of high school landed frequent gigs at local bars playing Jimmy Buffet covers and a few originals. Church formed the band “The Mountain Boys” with his brother and college roommate, but once he moved to Nashville, US he focused his attention on his solo career.
Like many other burgeoning country musicians, Church started his career in Nashville, US writing material for other artists. He helped write Terri Clarks single “The World Needs a Drink” and the Dean Miller song “Whiskey Wings”. Church attempted to break out on his own, but was met with hesitation amongst several producers and record labels. However when Church performed “Lightning” a song inspired by the movie “Green Mile”, Capitol Nashville signed him on their label. Church’s debut album was an instant success producing three single tracks that made it into the Country Charts top 30. Following this release Church scored opening spots on tours with Brad Paisley and Rascal Flats.
Church’s commercial success seemed to progressively grow with each album release. His second album “Carolina” contained 2 top 10 hits being “Love Your Love the Most” and “Hell on the Heart”. Church’s next album sent him into the stratosphere of stardom. His 2011 LP “Chief” entered number 1 on the top Country Albums as well as the Billboard 200. The album was also up for a Grammy in 2012.
Other than Church’s blatant Country influences such as superstars Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney and Outlaw influences like Hank Williams Jr. and Waylon Jennings, he is also a confessed fan of heavy metal bands such as Metallica and AC/DC. In the early stages of Church’s career he even received inspiration from his parents diverse taste in music ranging from Bluegrass to Motown.
I absolutely adore Eric Church. I have the biggest crush on him ever. He has an amazing voice and he seems like a totally down to Earth kind of guy.
His music is awesome. His song "Springsteen" reminds me of being young and meeting my now husband. I love that he interacts with the crowd and seems to have just as good of a time as we do.
The venue was kind of hot, but with so many people it's not surprising. Everybody was singing along with him and dancing where the was room to do so. He makes it feel like you are at a family or friends house having a party, only instead of a radio or DJ you've got him.
His vocals are astounding and his band is also great. The speakers were not the best at the venue, but that's not his fault and it wasn't so bad that it took away for his performance. He has so much energy when he is performing, it pumps everybody in the crowd up to. He is the kind of artist that makes it plainly obvious that he loves what he does. Singing and making music is more than just a job for him. I cannot wait to see him again.