Granite Falls, North Carolina is a small town is western North Carolina, nestled against the Appalachian Mountains. It’s also the town that gave us Eric Church…and his roots there permeate his music, including his latest hit, “Give Me Back My Hometown.” “At a young age, I learned that hard work’s important…a man’s word’s important…family’s important…God’s important…and community’s important,” he says. Those values are so deeply instilled in Eric that they shine through whether he’s onstage or in the studio. “That’s the foundation that I lean on when I’m out here on the road, and I’m out here doing shows,” he adds. “It’s definitely that upbringing that you can hear in the music and that we take to the stage every night.”

You can hear those influences for yourself on Eric’s new album, The Outsiders, which is headed to the top of this week’s album charts.

Eric will head overseas  for a tour of Europe beginning February 24th in Dublin.

AUDIO: Eric Church says his small town upbringing plays a big role in his life and his music.

Eric Church (hometown) OC: …every night. :23
“I think you can hear it in the music. You know, at a young age, I learned that hard work’s important…and a man’s word’s important…and family’s important. God’s important. I think all that stuff…and community’s important. I think all that stuff you can hear in the record. And I – I still…that’s the foundation that I lean on when I’m out here on the road, and I’m out here doing shows. I mean, it’s definitely that upbringing that you can hear in the music and that we take to the stage every night.”