Eric Church

Eric Church (born Kenneth Eric Church) is a country music singer and songwriter known for his outlaw image and hits like “Springsteen” and “Drink in My Hand.” Church spent his childhood in Granite Falls, North Carolina. He grew up in a small-town setting and learned to play guitar as a teenager, writing songs at a young age. Church attended Appalachian State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing before deciding to pursue music full time and moving to Nashville.

After relocating to Tennessee, Church initially found success as a songwriter, penning tracks for artists including Terri Clark and Rascal Flatts. He signed a record deal with Capitol Nashville and released his debut album, Sinners Like Me, in 2006. His early touring days included opening for major acts, though he gained wider recognition for his uncompromising style and outspoken approach to the country music industry. His breakthrough came with Chief in 2011, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and solidified his mainstream success.

Church has since released multiple chart-topping albums, including The Outsiders (2014), Mr. Misunderstood (2015), Desperate Man (2018) and Heart & Soul (2021). He has earned several Country Music Association Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards. He has also earned 11 Grammy nominations, including multiple nominations for Best Country Song.

Church married music publisher Katherine Blasingame in 2008. The couple share two sons, Boone McCoy Church (born in 2011) and Hawk Christopher Church (born in 2015).