On the heels of winning ACM Video of the Year Award for “Mr. Misunderstood” earlier this month, Eric Church has premiered his new music video for current single, “Record Year,” on Vevo earlier today with a broadcast debut on CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown this Saturday, April 30. The music video again enlists directors John Peets and Reid Long and features teenager McKinley James who starred in the music video for “Mr. Misunderstood” and appears on the cover art of Church’s highly acclaimed album by the same name.  Also making an appearance in the 3:09 video is Church’s new uniquely designed and distinctively customized signature edition of the world famous Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar, aptly termed by Church as Hummingbird Dark. Church –who joins artists such as Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, and Pete Townshend who have also constructed their own signature guitars – is seen playing the model throughout the video shot in an abandoned schoolhouse on the outskirts of Nashville, Tenn.

“…a standout of Church’s latest album…” raved Rolling Stone rejoicing it “…makes the case for losing oneself in music to get over a break-up. Specifically, it’s the warmth of vinyl albums…” and Los Angeles Timesdubbing it one of his more “deeply felt heartbreak songs.” Church co-wrote the track, #9 on Mr. Misunderstood, with longtime banjo player and guitarist Jeff Hyde. With poignantly clever lyrics, “Record Year” is Church’s ode to a lost-love who instead of finding solace in another’s arms finds consolation in a three-foot stack of vinyl albums. Iconic albums and artists are namechecked in the song, including Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key of Life, Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger, John Lee Hooker’s One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer as well as artists James Brown, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and New Grass Revival, reflecting the diversity of influence on Church and his music.

Throughout the video, Church and his band members are seen marking time by listening to vinyl records on turntables as well as performing. In several key visuals, vinyl records are stacked horizontally to become a 3-D audio waveform reflecting the sonic intensity of the song.

Next up Church will be seen performing with his new Gibson Hummingbird Dark acoustic guitar at Stagecoach Festival on April 29 in Indio, California.  He will then perform two shows at The Joint in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on April 30 and May 1, but until then, fans can see the customized acoustic guitar here in the music video for “Record Year.”

About Eric Church
The two-time Country Music Association and four-time Academy of Country Music Award winner cemented his reputation as a maverick by releasing his 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood as a surprise, delivering it to fans before announcing its existence and putting it on sale. He is rising up the country charts with “Record Year,” the second single, which Rolling Stone dubbed “the most moving moment” on the widely lauded album.

The North Carolina native’s previous album, The Outsiders debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and Top Country Albums Chart with the highest debut and sales of any release in the format that year, making Church 2014’s top-selling country music artist. The album garnered GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Album of the Year nominations and featured his No. 1 hits “Give Me Back My Hometown” and “Talladega,” as well as multiple nominee “Like A Wrecking Ball.” The Outsiders was the follow-up to Church’s Platinum-certified CHIEF, named the 2012 Album of the Year by both CMA and ACM, and GRAMMY-nominated for Best Country Album. The LP featured five Top 20 singles: “Homeboy” (certified Platinum for sales in excess of 1 million); the Top 10 “Like Jesus Does” and the Top 5 “Creepin’” (both certified Gold for sales in excess of 500,000); and two No. 1 hits “Drink in My Hand” (certified Platinum) and “Springsteen” (certified Double Platinum for sales in excess of 2 million singles). Church’s 2006 debut album, Sinners Like Me, and his sophomore album, Carolina, (2009) are both RIAA Gold certified.

About Gibson Hummingbird Dark Signature Acoustic Guitar
Hand-crafted in Gibson’s acoustic facility in Bozeman, Montana, Eric Church’s groundbreaking new acoustic guitar, Hummingbird Dark, is a result of Church’s personal artistic vision with its translucent ebony- burst lacquer finish, dark mother of pearl fingerboard inlay, black body binding, and a matching new Hummingbird Dark pickguard. Upgraded performance features include a more slender body depth for a superior tonal balance and an LR Baggs VTC pickup for completely natural acoustic sound reproduction when amplified. Retail information will be available beginning in mid-May on Gibson.com as production of the Hummingbird Dark signature guitars is rolled out from Montana.

photo credit: Reid Long

On this date in country music history in 2012, Eric Church’s “Springsteen” is certified gold.

Eric is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest single, “Record Year.”

Country Music has lost a legend. Merle Haggard, who turned 79 today, died Wednesday (April 6th) in California, surrounded by friends and family. The Country Music Hall of Famer had been in failing health for quite some time, diagnosed with double pneumonia in December, which led to the cancellation of several dates, including a two-night stand at the Ryman Auditorium.

Haggard had 40 No. 1 songs, including “Mama Tried,” “Workin’ Man Blues,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me” and wrote many classics, some of which had been recorded by folks such as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill, who is a lifelong fan of the iconic entertainer.

“I‘ve been a [Merle] Haggard nut my whole life,” says Vince Gill, who along with his pal Paul Franklin released Bakersfield album in 2013 (a collaborative tribute of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens songs). “And I’ve played country music, recorded country music my whole life, and I’ve tried to emulate what I loved about Merle Haggard on a lot of occasions.”

Many of country music’s brightest stars took to Twitter to offer their thoughts:

For Eric Church, he wrote and recorded “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag” for his Sinners Like Me album. The song also featured the subject of the song, Mr. Merle Haggard.

Eric Church ‏@ericchurch 
Rest in peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00IEK9KdWgE …

Alan Jackson ‏@OfficialJackson 
“We lost one of the greatest singer/songwriters since Hank Williams. Inspiration to millions, great American, thank you Merle. I’ll miss you.”

Luke Bryan ‏@LukeBryanOnline 
“A true hero was lost today. Thank you for your contribution to not only country music but all music. @merlehaggard”

Keith Urban ‏@KeithUrban 
“One of the gr8 concert memories I have is seeing Merle and the Strangers at the Ryman in Nashville. We had a ‘live’ album of his when I was growing up and I felt like I’d fallin’ inside my Dad’s stereo speakers. One of my all time favorite voices – and a master songwriter. Blessings to your soulful spirit Merle & all of you family & loved ones.” – KU

Hillary Scott ‏@HillaryScottLA
“You are a cornerstone of country music @merlehaggard…u will be missed greatly. Praying for the Haggard family.”

KACEY MUSGRAVES ‏@KaceyMusgraves 
“I think I’ll just stay here and drink.”

Billy Currington ‏@billycurrington 
“rip @merlehaggard thank you for all the great music u blessed us with. we will play it forever.”

Dierks Bentley ‏@DierksBentley 
“Literally just fell to the floor. can’t believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard.”

Toby Keith ‏@TobyKeithMusic 
“The greatest singer songwriter of my lifetime is gone. Thanks for the music and friendship. R.I.P. Hag. – T”

GaryAllan ‏@GaryAllan 
“Merle was my all-time hero. Today we lost one of the greatest songwriters of country music and I will always regret not recording with him. He was a legend and I was honored whenever we got the chance to share a stage with him. Thank you for the inspiration, the advice and for always being you. I, as well as the entire music community, will miss you Merle.”

Darius Rucker ‏@dariusrucker
“Heaven’s band just got better! RIP to the LEGENDARY @merlehaggard. Your music will never die!”

Jon Pardi ‏@JonPardi 
“Sad day today @merlehaggard has passed. RIP to a true songwriter, a pioneer of California Country, and country music.”

Kip Moore ‏@KipMooreMusic 
“RIP Merle…you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for…a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.”

Josh Turner ‏@joshturnermusic  5m5 minutes ago
“Pains me to say that country music icon @merlehaggard has passed away. So honored to have known him and shared the stage with him. Thanks Merle for all you’ve done for us!”

Mickey Guyton ‏@MickeyGuyton 
“RIP Merle Haggard. Heaven’s choir just got a heck of a lot better.”

For David Nail, seeing Merle in concert was a life-changing experience. “The night I saw Merle At the Golden Nugget, it was the single greatest combination of seeing an artist/venue/city together, that I’ve ever witnessed.  It was a spiritual experience.  I looked at my buddy multiple times in disbelief that we were actually there.  I teared up on a few songs.  I knew the greatness I was seeing/hearing.”

George Strait was a huge fan of Merle Haggard’s. He says, “When I was in the Army and stationed at Schofield barracks in Hawaii, you know Merle came there, and he played Conroy Bowl.  And I remember I was playing an NCO club that night, and before my little gig, I got to run over there and I kinda snuck in and saw Merle and it just blew me away. That’s what I wanted to be like, you know, I wanted to be like the Hag. And so, I can’t tell you how big of an influence he was on me, just huge.”

Strait also posted a reaction on his socials: “It’s a very sad day for all of us Hag fans. He was a true icon of the music world and it’s hard to believe we won’t be able to see him anymore. I honestly think that had it not been for him, I would not have chosen the path that I chose.” – G

In a surprise presentation on Friday (April 1st), Eric Church and his manager John Peets won the ACM Award for Video of the Year for “Mr. Misunderstood.”

Eric, who is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Mr. Misunderstood) and Vocal Event of the Year with Keith Urban for “Raise ‘Em Up,” is set to perform on the show.

The 51st Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday (April 3rd) at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

Check out the video of the presentation here.

Eric Church sat down with his producer, Jay Joyce, and his band to talk about the song, “Mixed Drinks About Feelings,” from his latest album, Mr. Misunderstood. He reveals that Jay used an unexpected instrument on the song, which he wasn’t too sure about at first.

Eric Church’s surprise release, Mr. Misunderstood, Sam Hunt’s Montevallo and Chris Stapleton’s Traveller are up for Album of the Year at this year’s ACM Awards. They’re nominated alongside Thomas Rhett’s Tangled Up and Chris Young’s I’m Coming Over.

Eric says inspiration struck unexpectedly for his Mr. Misunderstood album, and that’s why he ended up with a new album in 10 days. “Really inspiration is kind of what led [to the Mr. Misunderstood album]. I sat down one day to write. I had no intentions and nobody needing an album,” he says. “We’d just finished ‘The Outsiders’ and we’d just finished ‘Wrecking Ball,’ and I was writing and one day led to another day. You get into grooves and inspiration strikes you as a songwriter, and all of a sudden something was happening to me three, four, five days in in a row that had never happened, where every day a song was being written that sounded like a record. All of a sudden I had one, and I knew it, and I decided to go in and just record one song and 10 days later I had an album.”
Sam, who has experienced nearly unequaled success with his debut album, hopes folks listen to the record with open hearts and minds. “The record is hopefully diverse enough to reach people of several different tastes,” he says. “If there is something I could say to someone that was about to listen to this record for the first time, I would hope that they could put aside any preconceived notions or any direction that whatever they have stumbled across before has given them, they could open their mind and just listen to the music with an open mind and open heart and just see how they feel about it; see how it makes them feel.”

Chris Stapleton has had such a huge journey over the past year, and especially the last six months, and his Traveller album has been No. 1 on the country charts nearly every week since the CMA Awards last November. He says the title of the album is quite representative of the songs that appear on the record. “It seemed like a natural thing to call it, because a lot of, certainly the inspiration for this record came from a series of events. It’s kind of the only song that was written inside of, well, there might’ve been one other song written inside of knowing I was going to make this record in this way. The rest of the songs came from outside of that time period,” he says. “So, that’s one reason to name it that. The other reason is that it can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It’s about a journey in a musical sense and in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. In every way that you can have a journey, this record is kind of that for me, and hopefully for some other folks too.”

The 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke and Dierks Bentley, will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 3rd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

Eric Church and the reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan are up for this year’s top award at the ACM Awards on Sunday (April 3rd). They’re competing alongside Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks and Miranda Lambert.

Luke, who’s picked up this award twice, says “being called the Entertainer of the Year makes me want to do that to the best of my ability every night for the rest of my life as long as I’m on stage.”

Eric, on the other hand, is nominated for his first-ever Entertainer of the Year award, and he finds it a little unexpected. “I’ve been doing this a long time, so it’s strange to have that nomination,” says the “Record Year” singer. “There were many days I didn’t think we’d get there.”

The 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke and Dierks Bentley, will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 3rd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

Eric Church, along with producer Jay Joyce and members of Eric’s band, talk about the song, “Mistress Named Music,” from his surprise release album, Mr. Misunderstood. The song talks about chasing a song down, which is exactly what they did with this song. Check out their conversation below.

Eric Church has six nominations going into this year’s ACM Awards, including Album of the Year for his surprise record, Mr. Misunderstood, which dropped unexpectedly at last fall’s CMA Awards. While the album certainly surprised fans and the industry alike, the inspiration also came unexpectedly for the North Carolina native.

“I didn’t expect inspiration to really strike the way it did. I mean, I certainly didn’t sit down and expect to write an album or have an album, but it happened that way. When it happened, all of it happened in about 30 days, I thought it was a crime against that inspiration to when it fell out like that to just put it on a shelf for a while,” says Eric. “So, we decided to, instead of what most people do which is based around hype which is to let the label have the product and let the media or our critics, we decided to let the fans have it first. So, snail mail, we sent out about 80,000 of the vinyl and CDs and really let the fans be the mouthpiece for what this album was.”

Eric, who is climbing the country charts with his latest single “Record Year,” is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for the album’s title track, as well as two more nominations, Musical Event of the Year and Song of the Year, for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban.

The 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas April 3rd at 8pm ET on CBS.

Dierks Bentley is among the headliners for the first night of this year’s CMA Music Festival. He’ll be joined by Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts Thursday, June 9th at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

Keith Urban was recently named CMC International Artist of the Year at the CMC Music Awards in Australia, his fourth win in this category, and also CMC International Video of the Year, his fifth win in this category, for “Raise ‘Em Up,” featuring Eric Church.

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley put on a different hat to produce Chuck Wicks on a version of Justin Bieber’s hit, “Love Yourself.” The song is available now on iTunes.

Mickey Guyton will perform during the fifth annual Rising Women on the Row in Nashville April 8th.

Sam Hunt is part of the Carnival Cruise Line’s fall 2016 Carnival LIVE performances, which also includes comedians Chris Tucker and Jim Gaffigan. The “Make You Miss Me” singer will perform on the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Splendor in Cozumel, Mexico October 19th and 20th.