ERIC CHURCH - CHIEF (LP)

Eric Church Chief on LP

Eric Church is on a mission. You might expect someone coming off of their first two Top Ten country singles and an ACM Award for 'Top New Solo Vocalist' to lock down the formula and go for more of the same, but with third album, Chief, Church is trying something bolder and using the opportunity provided by his success to push his music even further. The lead single “Homeboy” is perhaps the bravest track on Chief. It is a provocative appeal from one brother to another to get back on track and make peace with his family.

“I have a theory that all of us only get a small window of time to make records when people will really listen and care,” he says. “It’s up to us to move the needle. People like Waylon and Cash or Garth and Strait, they all changed the direction of the music a little bit.”

The desire to capture the intensity of his live show on record is indicated right in the title of the new album. “Chief was my grandfather’s nickname, and it has become my nickname on the road,” Church reveals. “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.”

If there is one thing country music needs more of, it’s the attitude that is driving Eric Church, the approach behind every song on Chief, the fearlessness that lets an artist swing for the fences and try to leave a mark on history. “There were safer choices I could have made for sure, but I just can’t feel that helps anybody,” he says. “If you have any respect for the music, you’ll use each chance you get to try to be one of the ones who moves the flag.”

Eric Church Chief Track Listing:

1.  Creepin'
2.  Drink In My Hand
3.  Keep On
4.  Like Jesus Does
5.  Hungover & Hard Up
6.  Homeboy
7.  Country Music Jesus
8.  Jack Daniels
9.  Springsteen
10. I'm Getting Stoned
11. Over When It's Over