Eric Church's May 20 concert at the South Caldwell High School's Spartan Stadium will be a homecoming of sorts, as the country artist was a former athlete at that very school. This time, instead of suiting up for a game, he'll bring his touring band and the songs that were inspired by the people and values of Granite Falls, North Carolina -- all reflected on his acclaimed Capitol Records debut SINNERS LIKE ME. Proceeds from the show will benefit the school (ticket info below.)
When Church got his first big break in Nashville, the A&R executive who discovered him was quoted as saying, "this kid knew exactly who he was and the kind of music he wanted to make." Indeed, the country singer/songwriter makes no bones about who he is and the lessons learned by growing up in a town like Granite Falls. Honesty, redemption and blue-collar living are common threads throughout the record.
"The whole reason that SINNERS LIKE ME is here is because of that school, that town and those people, so coming home to do this benefit was a no-brainer for me," says Church. "My first single, 'How 'Bout You,' is as indicative of Granite Falls as anything else: 'I know where I come from -- how 'bout you?' I see small town values as being Middle America values: community, family, God, hard work. Those values crafted what these songs are about."
"By doing this benefit, I'm hoping that the people of the region know how proud I am to be from there, and how proud I am to tell people about that town. I also hope they know how special a place it is to come from, and that they're as proud to be from there as I am," Church added.
Church's first single "How 'Bout You" is an anthem to those values and became a Top 10 hit, catapulting SINNERS LIKE ME to #7 on the Billboard album chart. Another hit followed with "Two Pink Lines," while the current breakout, "Guys Like Me," (already in the Top 20) is being called "his biggest one yet," by country radio. All three songs have accompanying hit videos.
Church has been touring nonstop since the album's release last year with such acts as Bob Seger, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley. In addition to his popularity with fans, press acclaim has been astounding. The New York Times featured Church with "raucous southern rock ... the songs are packed with wry observations and well-turned punch-lines." Rolling Stone said the debut is "the literary country album of the year," while People Magazine said Church has "a similar attitude to Merle Haggard."
