Eric Church's 'Chief' Scheduled For July Release

Eric Church’s forthcoming third studio album has been described by critics as “strange,” “aggressive,” “wild,” and “rare.” The release, Chief, will hit the streets Tuesday, July 26, 2011.

 

“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.”

 

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 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)

 

Fans can expect Church’s new music video for “Homeboy," which was filmed at Nashville’s Tennessee State Prison, to be featured on CMT as their "Hot Shot Debut" as well as premiere on GAC beginning Monday, May 9. In addition, fans can visit www.cmt.com and vote for Church who is nominated in the 2011 CMT Music Awards Nationwide® Insurance On Your Side® category.

 

Currently on tour with Jason Aldean through June 5, Church will join Toby Keith on tour beginning June 30, continuing into the fall. For more information, a list of upcoming appearances and tour dates, please visit www.ericchurch.com.