Nashville, Tenn. (Tuesday, September 27, 2011) – Eric Church has always credited his loyal fan base with his rise to fame and recognition, such as this year’s fan-voted ACM New Solo Vocalist Award, so when it came time to film the music video for the audience-inspired hit, “Drink In My Hand,” from his chart-topping release, CHIEF, Church knew he could leave it in their hands.  The music video, filmed in Council Bluffs, Iowa on August 26 and 27, and directed by Peter Zavadil, showcases exactly what the fans have come to love from his live shows. One fan in particular, Aaron R. Shriver, knew he wouldn’t miss the special performances as they marked shows 98 and 99 for him with his 100th show milestone met on Sunday, Sept. 25 in Tinley Park, IL at First Midwest.

“I got to see Eric Church open the first night in Cincinnati, Ohio on the Bob Segar tour,” said Shriver.  “That night I took my father to his very first Eric Church show. He saw the fire and passion in Eric’s stage presence, and now he is just as big of a fan as I am. I also saw Eric play in a Wal-Mart parking lot with just eight people in the crowd six months after he just played a huge sold-out arena. I will never forget those days, nor will I forget the day I heard CHIEF went No. 1–it was like an accomplishment for the entire [Church] Choir that has stood behind the one musician that we all believe in so much.”

Church recognized Shriver at Sunday’s show by bringing him on stage and presenting him with his guitar, a Gibson Hummingbird.  [Footage of the presentation can be found HERE.] 

“I am constantly blown away by the passion of our fans.  It was really cool to be able to honor Aaron’s 100th show on stage and share that experience with everyone in the crowd,” shares Church. “Though he is the first, I look forward to more of our fans reaching that milestone.  It is truly humbling.”

Church recently celebrated his own milestone with over 1,000 shows performed since he began touring in 2006. 

The energy of the live show and the fans’ interaction was the inspiration for the single “Drink In My Hand” as well as the music video.  Church was inspired to write the song after commenting on the audience’s synchronized motion to certain phrases in his songs and noted, “All the fans want to do is put a drink in their hand.”  He later penned the tune with Michael Heeney and Luke Laird.