10 Questions With ACM Top New Solo Vocalist Nominee Eric Church

We had the opportunity to do a Q&A with ACM Top New Solo Vocalist nominee Eric Church. Check out “10 Questions with Eric Church” below!

CMIL: Where were you when you first learned that you were nominated for ACM Top New Solo Vocalist and what was your first thought?

EC: I was at my home in Nashville, getting ready to head back out of town with Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party Tour. The first thing that went through my mind was a mixture of shock and disbelief…then I thought not so sure about the “new” part but I’ll take it.

CMIL: What would it mean to you to win the title of ACM Top New Solo Vocalist and ultimately ACM Top New Artist?

EC: I said many times I don’t make records to win awards. I think as an artist you strive to make the same record whether you win all the awards or zero awards. I however do think it would be cool to win this award for the fans and people who have supported me along the way.

CMIL: Your label mate Luke Bryan won the title last year. Did he offer you any advice?

CMIL: You’ve had the chance to go on tour with some of country music’s biggest stars- most recently with Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean. What have you taken away from touring with them?

EC: In an industry where every chart and graph seems to be headed downward, on tour withJason and Miranda there is a sense of camaraderie and we’re seeing what’s working and what music is creating passion to keep people coming back to shows and buying the music!

CMIL: You’re famous for putting on a rockin’ live show- what’s your goal when you hit that stage each night?

EC: To give the crowd a show that they won’t get anywhere else.

CMIL: Your newly released EP includes four “rare” songs. What made you select those songs for “Caldwell County”?

EC: Three of the songs where previously released but they had never been released on a record. This was a way to give them a home. “Chevy Van” is a song that I grew up playing in bars and clubs when I actually lived in Caldwell County. I can think of no better place for these songs to call home than an EP named after where I’m from.

CMIL: The EP has fans anxious for more new music. When can they expect a full-length studio album?

EC: Summer of this year.

CMIL: You’ve steadily built a strong foundation of success in recent years. Do you think that’s worked to your advantage as opposed to overnight success?

EC: Absolutely. We built a foundation that will withstand a lot of storms. It hasn’t always been easy but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

CMIL: What is country music to you?

EC: Songs about real life.

CMIL: Since this award is fan voted- what has been your most memorable fan moment?

EC: We were playing in Denver, CO. The son of an NASA astronaut brought me a plaque with my Sinners Like Me cd and a picture of it floating on the spaceship in space. You can see the earth in the background. He said that my cd was played many hours on the shuttle!