EMI Records Eric Church

To some modern country artists, the words critics are using to describe Eric Church’s forthcoming third studio album may seem off-putting, but to the trailblazing mutineer and his equally passionate fans, the terms: “strange,” “aggressive,” “wild,” and “rare,” couldn’t be more complimentary. What has been buzzing as the most experiential, head-turning country album of the year will take place on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 with the release of Church’s third studio album, Chief, to stores nationwide, courtesy of EMI Records.

“I have a theory that all of us [artists] only get a small window of time to make records when people will really listen and care,” said Church. “It’s up to us to move the needle. People like Waylon and Cash or Garth and Strait,– they all took the format and said, ‘We’re going over here,’ and they each changed the direction of the music a little bit– helping to make it what it is today.”

That desire to move the needle is the very reason Church has chosen to use the successes of six Top 20 country singles (“How ‘Bout You,” “Two Pink Lines,” and “Guys Like Me” from his 2006 critically-acclaimed debut, Sinners Like Me; “Love Your Love The Most,” “Hell On The Heart,” and “Smoke A Little Smoke” from his sophomore release Carolina) and an ACM Award for New Solo Vocalist of the Year to push the creative envelope even further with Chief. Church took a month off and went to a secluded cabin in North Carolina to reflect and write the entire album which he later recorded in Nashville with producer, Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, Cage the Elephant), who also produced his previous two releases.

The songs that resulted from the diversion illustrate Church’s impressive range and infinite creative canvas. Songs like “Drink in My Hand” and “Hungover & Hard Up,” illustrate his ability to connect with a rowdy audience. Other songs like “Springsteen” and “Like Jesus Does,” reveal a deeper emotions complemented by sophisticated song structures; and then there’s “Homeboy” –the provocative lead single—and Church’s fastest-rising career single to date– that’s already turning heads and causing critics from USA Today and Billboard to champion the release.

The “alive and breathing” feel of the new music inspired Church to name the album, Chief, after a nickname given to his grandfather, and one he has consequently adopted over the years out on the road. “When it’s show time, I put on the sunglasses and the hat, and that’s how people know it’s game time. This album was made from a live place; we recorded it with the live show in mind, so it just seemed right to make that the title,” he adds.

With the release of his third studio album, Church hasn’t forgotten the true captains of his career –his loyal fans. “More than anyone else, we have built are career on the backs of the fans,” he says. “We have not had a lot of TV exposure or number one songs, but we have had music that stirs passion, we put on shows that stoke the flames of that passion, and our fans have carried the torch. Our music belongs to them.”

Chief Track-by-Track
1. Creepin’ (Eric Church / Marv Green)
2. Drink In My Hand (Eric Church, Michael P. Heeney, Luke Laird)
3. Keep On (Eric Church / Ryan Tyndell)
4. Like Jesus Does (Casey Beathard / Monty Criswell)
5. Hungover & Hard Up (Eric Church / Luke Laird)
6. Homeboy (Eric Church / Casey Beathard)
7. Country Music Jesus (Eric Church / Jeremy Spillman)
8. Jack Daniels (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Lynn Hutton)
9. Springsteen (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Ryan Tyndell)
10. I’m Gettin’ Stoned (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Casey Beathard / Jeremy Cradey)
11. Over When It’s Over (Eric Church / Luke Laird)

EMI Records Eric Church

Nashville, TN – EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church had his songwriting play out in his personal life recently when he and his wife Katherine found themselves “sittin around waiting on two pink lines.” Although Eric’s 2006 single “Two Pink Lines” was about the anxiety surrounding a pregnancy test, Church and his wife of three years are thrilled to announce that they are expecting their first child this Fall.

“Katherine and I are very excited and are looking forward to becoming parents,” shares Church. “This year has gotten off to an amazing start for us and this news has made it so much better than we could have ever anticipated.”

Church is the ACM New Solo Vocalist Of The Year and now a nominee for ACM New Artist Of The Year. The 46th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards is broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Voting for ACM New Artist Of The Year started on March 11 at 2pm PT through April 3 at 5pm PT (www.voteacm.com).

Church recently released his new single “Homeboy” (USA Today’s Pick Of The Week) from his third studio album to be released later this year.