Eric Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Church
|
|
|---|---|
Church in 2012
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kenneth Eric Church |
| Born | May 3, 1977 Granite Falls, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels |
|
Kenneth Eric Church (born May 3, 1977) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has released many studio albums since 2005. His first album, Sinners Like Me, came out in 2006. It had popular songs like "How 'Bout You" and "Guys Like Me".
His second album, Carolina, was released in 2009. It included his first top 10 hits, "Love Your Love the Most" and "Hell on the Heart". In 2011, his album Chief became his first album to reach No. 1. It also gave him his first two No. 1 songs, "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen". He also had another No. 1 song, "The Only Way I Know", which he sang with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.
In 2014, Eric Church released The Outsiders. This album had popular songs like "Give Me Back My Hometown" and "Talladega", which both reached No. 1 on the country charts. He also had a No. 1 hit with Keith Urban called "Raise 'Em Up". His album Mr. Misunderstood (2015) included two more No. 1 songs: "Record Year" and "Round Here Buzz". In 2018, he released Desperate Man. Later, in 2021, he released a special three-part album called Heart & Soul.
Contents
Early life and start in music
Eric Church was born on May 3, 1977, in Granite Falls, North Carolina. His parents are Ken and Rita Church. When he was 13, he bought a guitar and started writing his own songs. In high school, he played music at local places. He often sang songs by Jimmy Buffett and some of his own.
Before moving to Nashville, Eric finished high school and then went to Appalachian State University. He earned a degree in marketing. After college, he decided to follow his dream of becoming a musician. His father helped him financially and gave him time to focus on writing songs.
Music career highlights
First albums: Sinners Like Me and Carolina (2006–2010)
Eric Church helped write songs for other artists, like Terri Clark. He started recording his own music. A record company called Capitol Nashville was interested in him. They became even more interested when he started working with producer Jay Joyce. Eric's first song, "How 'Bout You", became a hit. This led to his first album, Sinners Like Me. In April 2006, he performed at the famous Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
Other songs from his first album, "Two Pink Lines" and "Guys Like Me", also became popular. Another song, "Lightning", even got a music video. After his first album did well, Eric toured with famous artists like Brad Paisley. He was asked to leave a tour with Rascal Flatts because he played for too long. Taylor Swift, who was just starting her career, took his place. Eric told Taylor she would do great. Later, she gave him her first gold record as a thank you.
In 2009, Eric released his second album, Carolina. The first song from this album, "Love Your Love the Most", was his first song to reach the top 10. The next song, "Hell on the Heart", also made it to the top 10. In 2011, he released a short album called Caldwell County.
Big success: Chief and The Outsiders (2011–2015)
In 2011, Eric released the song "Homeboy". His album Chief came out in July 2011 and quickly became No. 1 on the country and overall music charts. In January 2012, "Drink in My Hand" became his first No. 1 song. Then, "Springsteen" was released and also became a No. 1 hit. Eric said this song was about a love story at a concert.
Eric also sang on "The Only Way I Know" with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. This song was on Jason Aldean's album. In 2012, Eric's album Chief won the Album of the Year award at the CMA Awards. He also announced plans for his first live album, Caught in the Act, released in 2013.
In October 2013, Eric released a new song called "The Outsiders". His fourth album, also named The Outsiders, came out in February 2014. This album had several hit songs, including "Give Me Back My Hometown" and "Talladega", which both reached No. 1.
Surprise album and recent work (2015–present)
On November 3, 2015, Eric surprised his fan club members by sending them his new album, Mr. Misunderstood, in the mail. It was released to everyone else the next day. The album was a surprise with no big announcements beforehand. The first song from it was the title track. Another song from the album, "Record Year", also reached No. 1. The album's last song, "Three Year Old", is about lessons Eric learned from his son.
In 2017, Eric went on his biggest solo tour, called the Holdin' My Own Tour. He played 62 shows in 61 cities. In October 2017, he sang a new song called "Why Not Me" at the Grand Ole Opry. He wrote it for Sonny Melton, who passed away in the Las Vegas shooting. In 2018, he released his sixth album, Desperate Man.
In 2020, Eric Church won the Entertainer of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards. He sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" with Jazmine Sullivan at the Super Bowl LV. In April 2021, he released a unique three-part album: Heart, &, and Soul. This set included 24 songs.
In October 2024, Eric released a new song called "Darkest Hour". He decided to release it early because its lyrics fit with the serious damage caused by Hurricane Helene in his home state of North Carolina. Eric helped with the recovery efforts and promised that all money from the song would go to help the state. He also put together a "Concert for Carolina" with Luke Combs, which raised over $24 million for hurricane relief.
Eric Church also opened a new bar, restaurant, and music venue called Chief's in Nashville in April 2024.
Personal life and charity
On January 8, 2008, Eric Church married Katherine Blasingame. He wrote a song for her called "You Make It Look So Easy" and sang it at their wedding. They have two sons: Boone McCoy Church, born in 2011, and Tennessee Hawkins "Hawk" Church, born in 2015.
Eric and Katherine Church started a foundation called The Chief Cares Fund in 2013. This group helps families in need in places like Tennessee and North Carolina. It has also helped orphans in Nepal get clothes, beds, and schooling. The foundation also helps animal shelters. People can donate to the fund on Eric Church's website or by buying special concert tickets that support the charity.
In November 2022, Eric Church received the North Carolina Award. This is the highest honor a civilian can get in his home state.
Eric often wears his special aviator sunglasses. He started wearing them because the bright stage lights would dry out his contact lenses. His sunglasses and Von Dutch hat became his well-known look.
Musical style
Eric Church's music is often described as country rock, outlaw country, and southern rock. He has been influenced by many artists, including Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard, and even rock bands like Metallica and AC/DC.
Albums
- Sinners Like Me (2006)
- Carolina (2009)
- Chief (2011)
- The Outsiders (2014)
- Mr. Misunderstood (2015)
- Desperate Man (2018)
- Heart & Soul (2021)
Tours
- Headlining tours
- Jägermeister Country Tour (2010)
- Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour (2012–13)
- The Outsiders World Tour (2014–15)
- Holdin' My Own Tour (2017)
- Double Down Tour (2019)
- Gather Again Tour (2021–22)
- Outsiders Revival Tour (2023)
- Supporting tours (opening for other artists)
- Me and My Gang Tour (2006) with Rascal Flatts
- Rowdy Friends Tours (2010) with Hank Williams Jr
- CMT Revolution Tour (2010) with Miranda Lambert
- Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars (2010) with Miranda Lambert
- My Kinda Party Tour (2011) with Jason Aldean
- Locked and Loaded Tour (2011) with Toby Keith
- No Shoes Nation Tour (2013) with Kenny Chesney
- Locked and Reloaded Tour (2013) with Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert
Band members
Current members
- Eric Church – lead vocals, guitar, banjo, piano
- Driver Williams – lead guitar
- Jeff Cease – guitar
- Jeff Hyde – guitar, banjo, background vocals
- Lee Hendricks – bass guitar
- Craig Wright – drums
- Jay Joyce – production
Former members
- Joanna Cotten - vocals (2013–2022)
Awards and achievements
Eric Church has won many awards for his music. Some of his major awards include:
- Album of the Year at the ACM Awards for Chief (2013).
- Musical Event of the Year at the ACM Awards for "The Only Way I Know" (with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan) (2013).
- Video of the Year at the ACM Awards for "Mr. Misunderstood" (2016).
- Album of the Year at the CMA Awards for Chief (2012) and Mr. Misunderstood (2016).
- Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards (2020).
- He has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards.
See also
In Spanish: Eric Church para niños
