Eric Church goes into this year’s CMA Awards with three nominations including Male Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year for “Kill a Word” with Rhiannon Giddens AND Entertainer of the Year.

The North Carolina native launched a solo outing, titled Holdin’ My Own Tour, which he did hold his own for more than three-and-a-half hours. His fans stood cheering, singing along and feeling a part of something they’ve never experienced in their life.

When Eric was mid-tour, he mentioned that the Holdin’ My Own Tour was pretty special. “I believe it’s exciting because I think it’s special, and I think when you look out there, it’s a special moment and it will be frozen in time. I do believe that when we look around at each other. I really believe that,” said Eric. “They realize that I’ve give everything I have and I realize, I’m telling ya, there’s many nights, I realize they give everything they have, because the fact that they stand all the way to the top wall and do not sit down for three-and-a-half hours; the only time they sit down is in half-time when I take my break. I have such respect for the fans for that that, yeah, if I die out there, I die out there but I’m gonna give ‘em everything I got.”

Eric is sitting inside the Top 15 on the country charts with his latest song, “Round Here Buzz.”

Catch Eric at the 51st Annual CMA Awards, which will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 8th at 8pm ET on ABC.