Eric Church

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Eric Church
Eric Church (center) and his band, 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Kenneth Eric Church
Born	May 3, 1977 (1977-05-03) (age 32)
Origin	Granite Falls, North Carolina, United States
Genres	Country
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2005 - Present
Labels	Capitol Nashville
Associated acts	Terri Clark, Jay Joyce
Website	www.ericchurch.com

Kenneth Eric Church (born May 3, 1977 in Granite Falls, North Carolina) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Signed to Capitol Records in 2006, Church released his debut album Sinners Like Me that year. This album produced four chart singles on the Billboard country charts, including the Top 20 hits "How 'Bout You," "Two Pink Lines" and "Guys Like Me." His second album, 2009's Carolina, has produced two more singles: "Love Your Love the Most," his first Top Ten hit, and "Hell on the Heart."

Biography

Eric Church grew up in Granite Falls, North Carolina. At age thirteen, he bought a guitar and began writing songs of his own. By his junior year of high school, he had found a gig at a local bar. Eventually, Church was adding original songs into the set mix, in addition to producing albums of his own material. For two years, his band played often in bars and restaurants throughout North Carolina.^[1]

Church played basketball, baseball and golf in high school, but in college, he turned to music. Before moving to Nashville, he graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in marketing. In return, his father paid for his first six months in Nashville. The financial cushion his father provided him gave him time to make contacts. Eric eventually found a publishing deal at Sony/ATV Tree Music Publishing. Terri Clark took "The World Needs a Drink," which Church wrote with Casey Beathard, into the country top 30.^[1] On January 8, 2008 Church married Kathrine Blasingame.

Music career

This section requires expansion with: More info on each album, critical reception.

2006-2007: Sinners Like Me

Arthur Buenahora at the publishing company later introduced Church to producer Jay Joyce. Following a showcase, Church signed to Capitol Records' Nashville division. His first single, "How 'Bout You," peaked at #14 on the Hot Country Songs charts and led off his debut album Sinners Like Me. In April 2006, Church performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.^[2]

The album's other two singles, "Two Pink Lines" and "Guys Like Me," both reached the country Top 20 as well.^[1] The fourth single, which was the title track, peaked at #51. An additional track from the album, "Lightning," was made into a music video despite not being released as a single. Church wrote this song shortly after his moving to Nashville, and was inspired to write it after seeing the movie The Green Mile.^[2] The song was not released as a single cause Church called it "too dark for country radio". Following the album's success, Church toured with Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts.^[2]

2008-2010: Carolina

In 2008, Church released a fifth single, "His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)," to country radio. It debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at #55 in late April 2008, and reached its peak of #46 in August. Originally slated as the lead single to an upcoming second album, "His Kind of Money" was never released on an album. Following this song was "Love Your Love the Most," which debuted in late 2008 and is the first single from his second album Carolina, released on March 24, 2009.^[1] That same month, "Love Your Love the Most" brought Church to the country top ten for the first time, peaking at #10 in September. As with his debut album, Carolina was produced by Jay Joyce, and is entirely composed of songs that Church co-wrote. The album's second single, "Hell on the Heart," debuted in October 2009.

Discography

Albums

Albums were released on Capitol Nashville Records.

Singles

Other charted songs

This song charted from unsolicited airplay.

Music videos

References

External links

• Official Site
• Eric Church at MySpace