Blood. Sweat. Beer.
While that’s a theme many college kids trying to get through four years of school might live by, it’s also the motto of Eric Church’s yearlong tour. And the country music star will be performing tonight at the Mullins Center.
The tour also features openers and fellow country music stars Kip Moore and Justin Moore.
Prior to this tour, Church was nominated for five Country Music Awards. The nominations include “Male Vocalist of the Year,” as well as “Album of the Year” for Church’s 2011 release “Chief.” He was also nominated for “Single of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” for his chart-topping single “Springsteen.”
“It was quite the shock; I was very surprised,” Church said in a phone interview with the Collegian last week. “I had lost my phone in the Gulf on Mexico and I was completely unplugged.
“I knew when we wrote ‘Springsteen’ that it was a special song. It struck a chord, I could feel what it was like being at a concert 20 years ago,” Church added.
While realizing the intensity and sheer rawness of the song’s power, Church never thought the song would evolve into the sensation it has become.
“I obviously had no clue it would be this big of a success,” he said. “It exceeded all my expectations. I think it’ll be around for a while.”
The song, according to Church, has even been recognized by “The Boss” himself. After a show in New Hampshire in August, Church received a hand-written letter from Bruce Springsteen, which was delivered by his manager, Wayne LeBeaux.
Church said he received the note on the back of one of Springsteen’s set-lists.
“It’ll be something I treasure forever,” Church said.
“‘Springsteen’ is always fun to play because everyone just goes … crazy,” Church added. “We’re not at a point to get tired of playing anything.”
While Church enjoys the fan reaction to the cut, his favorite song to play live at the moment is “Hungover & Hard Up,” “because it’s cool and groovy,” he said.
And the 35-year-old is looking to score high on the charts with his new single “Creepin.’” The song sat in the 23rd spot on the “Billboard Country Top 30” list last week.
Outside of music, Church enjoys spending time with his wife, Katherine, who gave birth to their first child, Boone McCoy Church, in 2011.
“(Having a son) changes everything. Any time you’re a parent it changes everything,” Church said.
Though his life has changed since his son was born, the country star said that it hasn’t forced him to postpone his tour at all.
“We put Boone on a bus when he was just 6 weeks old. It’s important to me to spend time with my family,” Church said.
Church, though, still does love partying. He said he is excited to be playing at a college campus.
“We’ve always done well at college campuses because everyone is there getting drunk and fired up. It’s awesome,” Church said.
Church will be attending a tailgate before tonight’s show at the Mullins Center. The event is being sponsored by KIX 100.9-FM, and will occur from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Beer and food will be available for purchase.
“We’ll be out there drinking beer or whiskey and we want everyone to come out and drink beer or whiskey or whatever with us,” Church said.
Tickets for the show range in price from $37.50 to $47.50.
Ashley Berger can be reached at [email protected].
