Eric Church has had quite the year so far. He kicked off 2011 with an ACM trophy for Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year, been touring with such artists as Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Toby Keith, AND he delivered his first “baby” in July. The baby we’re referring to his album, Chief, which debuted at the top of the overall Billboard album chart with nearly 145,000 copies sold.
Now, he and his wife, Katherine, are in the last remaining weeks before the birth of their first child – a boy. The parents-to-be have already been getting their unborn child used to traveling on a bus. “We’re gonna strap him up, give him some headphones, and we’re going on the road. We’ve been trying to get him used to the bus, even though we haven’t had him yet,” explains the singer-songwriter. “Katherine’s been riding the bus a lot and [getting him] used to the shaking and the movements, so. It’s funny now – he’s a bit of a kicker and a puncher, and he’s fine if she’s moving. If she stops moving, he starts kicking and punching, which is ironic ‘cause I punch on stage. So, we’ll see what happens with that in a few years.”
Since Eric and Katherine discovered the sex of the baby, folks have been asking them what they’ve decided on for a name. “We’ve got a few names,” he reveals. “I think you need to look at a boy before you name him, though. I think you need to step back and see which name they look like. So, we’re going to take a few names in to the hospital, and we’ll see which one comes out.”
- Eric is scaling the country charts with his latest single, “Drink in My Hand” – the second single from Chief.
- Eric is still on the Locked and Loaded Tour with Toby, and he’s scheduled for shows up until the baby’s due date, which is in the middle of October.
- Eric has earned a nomination for CMA New Artist of the Year. The awards will be handed out Wednesday, October 9th.
AUDIO: Eric Church talks about preparing his unborn child for life on the road.
Eric Church (baby stuff) OC: …in a few years. [laughs] :34
“I want to be the dad my dad was. I think I have a great father, and [he’s] always been supportive. We kind of joke with our lifestyle, you know what we do and touring 200 days a year. We’re not going to give him much leeway. We’re gonna strap him up, give him some headphones, and we’re going on the road. We’ve been trying to get him used to the bus, even though we haven’t had him yet. Katherine’s been riding the bus a lot and used to the shaking and the movements, so. It’s funny now – he’s a bit of a kicker and a puncher, and he’s fine if she’s moving. If she stops moving, he starts kicking and punching, which is ironic ‘cause I punch on stage. So, we’ll see what happens with that in a few years. [laughs]”
AUDIO: Eric Church says he and his wife Catherine haven’t fully decided on a name for their first child.
Eric Church (baby names) OC: …comes out. :13
“We’ve got a few names. I think you need to look at a boy before you name him, though. I think you need to step back and see which name they look like. So, we’re going to take a few names in to the hospital, and we’ll see which one comes out.”
