Eric Church is nominated for four Grammys, including Best Country Album (The Outsiders), Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Give Me Back My Hometown” and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Keith’s latest single, “Raise ‘Em Up.” The North Carolina native also has a coveted performance slot, as well.

We’re sure he has a primo spot near the stage this year, but back in 2012, he was hanging out in the aisle because Kathy Griffin was sitting in his seat and wouldn’t budge. “She was in our seat at the Grammys. It’s not her fault, I guess, but she wouldn’t get out of the seat, so when we arrived at the Grammys to sit in the seat, we had a little standoff. You know, first Grammys,” says Eric. “My wife and I ended up having to sit in the aisle right before they did the nominees for Country Album [laughs], which would have been great if we won, ’cause then they would’ve had to pan over to Kathy Griffin and us sitting in the aisle. So, literally, they just about didn’t let us in. So, to go from there to being able to play the show is pretty cool.”

The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday (February 8th) on CBS.