Eric Church heads into rehearsals this week for his first headlining arena tour, and while it’s going to be slightly bigger and bolder than his previous outings, don’t expect the production to overtake the music. “The trick’s gonna be still keeping it about the music, still keeping that, you know, what we do this for, and the passion and impart that to the crowd, but at the same time, trying to make sure the people way back in the back of the arena in some of these places can feel the same energy as the people down front,” says the “Drink in My Hand” singer. “So, we’ve got some plans as how to do that, and I think a lot of it still comes down to how the people relate to the music, as opposed to how many things I can blow up and set on fire.”

• The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, which also features newcomer Brantley Gilbert, is set to kick off January 19th in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
• Eric’s latest hit, “Drink in My Hand,” is closing in on the top spot on the country charts. It’s the second single from his No. 1 album, Chief.
• Chief is nominated for Best Country Album at this year’s Grammy Awards, which will air live beginning at 8pm ET February 12th on CBS.

AUDIO: Eric Church explains what fans should expect on his upcoming Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour.

Eric Church (arena tour 2012) OC: …set on fire. :29

“This tour’s gonna be different than any other tour, just because it’s an arena tour. It’s our first headline arena tour, so the trick’s gonna be still keeping it about the music, still keeping that, you know, what we do this for, and the passion and impart that to the crowd, but at the same time, trying to make sure the people way back in the back of the arena in some of these places can feel the same energy as the people down front. So, we’ve got some plans as how to do that, and I think a lot of it still comes down to how the people relate to the music, as opposed to how many things I can blow up and set on fire.”

Lady Antebellum resolve to find more balance between their personal and professional lives in 2012, especially as the personal lives of all of the members grow more full. Lady A’s Hillary Scott and her fiance, Chris Tyrell, are planning their wedding, while Dave Haywood recently proposed to his girlfriend, Kelli Cashiola. “We’ve got a pretty heavy touring schedule, but we’ve learned this fall how to balance that, how to have a good time at home,” says Dave. “So, I think continuing to find the balance, which is where we get our inspiration and where our songs come from, is this personal life.”

Eric Church wrote his latest single, “Drink in My Hand,” after he witnessed how the fans in the audience would raise their cups at the same time. “When the cups go up or they go down or they go side to side, and it almost gets humorous from time to time. I found myself laughing, you know this is really well-organized for it to be…10,000 drunk people out there. They’re really good at this,” Eric laughs. “That’s really where the idea came for ‘Drink in My Hand’ came from. We were out on the bus one night after a show, and it just happened. I had some co-writers with me, and I was kinda laughing about it, we were talking about all the people with their beers in the air, and their cups in the air, and [they’re] just there to party and that’s really where the idea was born.” The song is closing in on the top spot on the country charts, which would be Eric’s first No.1 single.

Eric is set to hit the road, headlining his own Blood, Sweat and Beers tour. The trek, which also features newcomer Brantley Gilbert, kicks off January 19th in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

AUDIO: Eric Church says his crowds are synchronized drinkers.

Eric Church (Drink in My Hand) OC: …are coordinated. :52

“Now ‘Drink in My Hand’ has become its own song now, it’s really like synchronized drinking.  And to look out there and see, there’s so, you can’t imagine — my view is different from everybody’s view. I get to look out at the fans, and they’re all looking, I’m up there by myself, but I’m looking at all of them. And they can’t believe how coordinated they are, you know when the cups go up or they go down or they go side to side, and it almost gets humorous from time to time. I found myself laughing, you know this is really well-organized for it to be a bunch of, 10,000 drunk people out there. They’re really good at this. That’s really where the idea came for ‘Drink in My Hand’ came from. We were out on the bus one night after a show, and it just happened. I had some co-writers with me, and I was kinda laughing about it, we were talking about all the people with their beers in the air, and their cups in the air, and [they’re] just there to party and that’s really where the idea was born. It’s fun now to look out and see that. The energy in that song has tripled now from the people. Now they really are, we’re going to have to start filming it now because they really are coordinated.”

Eric Church earned his first Grammy nomination this year, thanks to his chart-topping album, Chief. He’s up for Best Country Album, and his fans are hoping he will get to take home one of the gramophone trophies when the winners are announced February 12th. “The Grammys are the Holy Grail for every recording artist,” says Eric. “The thing I’m most proud of is we were able to get the Grammy nomination without ever changing what we do. I didn’t change the music or change the path that I was on to try to win awards or get nominated for awards. We just kept doing what we do.” The 54th annual Grammy Awards will air live February 12th at 8pm ET on CBS.

Eric is currently nearing the top of the country charts with his latest single, “Drink in My Hand,” which is the second single from his Grammy-nominated album, Chief.

Eric Church (Grammy nod) OC: …going to the Grammys. :27

“The Grammys are the Holy Grail for every recording artist. The thing I’m most proud of is we were able to get the Grammy nomination without ever changing what we do. I didn’t change the music or change the path that I was on to try to win awards or get nominated for awards. We just kept doing what we do. You know, the places that the Chief record has taken us so far is unbelievable, and it’s been an unreal ride, and I’m very proud to have the Grammy nomination, and I look forward to going to the Grammys.”

Eric Church (hangover cure) OC: …every time. :17

“The best hangover cure – I’ve got two. One is 5-hour Energy [bottles], because of all the B-vitamins that are in it. You can start pounding those, and it’s either gonna work or It’s gonna keep you up and prolong your misery. But the other one I have is just take two Advil and a beer in the morning. Hair of the dog, man – that works every time.”

Luke Bryan (New Years-best) OC: …great night. :17

“My best New Year’s Eve is definitely when my wife and I started back dating. We started back dating right before Christmas, and we went on a trip down to Florida and met some friends. And her birthday is New Year’s Eve. We celebrated it that night. It was just a great night.”

LINER Darius Rucker (Happy New Year) :03

“Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Happy New Year!

LINER Dierks Bentley (Happy New Year) :02

“Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley. Happy New Year!”

LINER Eric Church (5 COUNTDOWN) : 06

“5-4-3-2-1…Happy New Year. This is Eric Church, and here’s to 2012.”

LINER Eric Church (5 COUNTDOWN) 2 : 05

“5-4-3-2-1…Happy New Year, everybody. I’m Eric Church, and I’ll be your ‘Rocket Man.’”

LINER Eric Church (10 COUNTDOWN) :11

“10-9-8-7—6-54321, Happy New Year, y’all. It’s Eric Church, and it’s time to put a drink in MY hand!”

LINER Eric Church (Hand your keys to a friend) :06

“Hey! Eric Church here…This New Year’s Eve, if you put a drink in your hand…hand your keys to a friend. Trust me guys, don’t drink and drive.”

LINER Eric Church (Happy New Year) :02

“Hey! It’s Eric Church, hoping you have a Happy New Year.”

LINER Eric Church (Put your ass in a cab) :05

“Hey! Eric Church here…This New Year’s Eve, and if you put a drink in your hand, put your ass in a cab!”

LINER Eric Church (Put your ass in a cab) :05

 “Hey! Eric Church here…This New Year’s Eve, and if you put a drink in your hand, put your butt in a cab!”

LINER Eric Paslay (Happy New Year) :03

“Hi! I’m Eric Paslay, wishing you a Happy New Year!”

LINER Keith Urban (New Year) :04

“Hey everyone! This is Keith Urban. Have a safe and happy New Year.”

LINER LBT (New Year) :03

“Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy New Year!”

Singer Eric Church and wife Katherine, who welcomed their first child on October 3rd, are ready to show off their son.

Dressed in a festive, cozy red coverall — and cuddled in the country crooner’s six-string guitar case — Church reveals the 10-week-old has already left a profound impact on the lives of his proud parents.

“Everyone always tells you what an awesome and unique experience being a parent is, but words can never do the feeling justice,” explains the new papa. “The way our life changed in that 24-hour period alone after he was born — just by putting a little boy in the house — was awesome.”

Eric Church, his wife, Katherine, and son, Boone, will be heading home to North Carolina to celebrate their first Christmas as a family, which will allow Eric’s parents to spoil their new grandson. It’ll also allow Eric to get some much-needed time off before he kicks off his first arena headlining tour in January. “I just look forward to relaxing and enjoying our first Christmas at home and can’t wait, and same time, I can’t wait to dial it back up next year,” Eric says. “We’re gonna take [Boone] on the road, so it’ll be his first tour. So, it’s gonna be a lot of firsts over the next year, and we’re just soaking it in and enjoying every one.”

• Eric is currently enjoying his first Top 5 hit with “Drink in My Hand,” from his Grammy-nominated album, Chief.
• Eric is set to kick off his Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour, with special guest Brantley Gilbert, January 19th in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

AUDIO: Eric Church talks about his family’s plans for Christmas.

Eric Church (Christmas plans 2011) OC: …every one. :24

“This year, there’s not a lot of firsts in your life – first child and first Christmas with him is certainly not something I’m going to miss. We’re gonna be in North Carolina with my family. I just look forward to relaxing and enjoying our first Christmas at home and can’t wait, and same time, I can’t wait to dial it back up next year. We’re gonna take him on the road, so it’ll be his first tour. So, it’s gonna be a lot of firsts over the next year, and we’re just soaking it in and enjoying every one.”

Darius Rucker will perform music by Frank Sinatra during a funraising concert February 13th in Charleston, South Carolina. Taking place at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, the show will raise funds Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital.

Eric Paslaygrew up in Texas with much of his extended family in the same town, so at there were many toys to play with at Christmas time.

AUDIO: Eric Paslay talks about his Christmas holidays when he was a child.

Eric Paslay (Christmases growing up) OC: …and football. :37

‘I remember always [on] Christmas Eve, we’d go 5to my Mom’s mother’s house, my grandmother, and we’d open up gifts kinda from the family. And my great-aunt, lived across the street, so all of those cousins, we’d go over there and hang out and steal some more cookies and kind of show…what’cha got and play with the toy for five minutes and move on to the other cousin’s toys. And then the next morning, maybe when we were younger, open up some more presents, you know, and then go to my other grandparents’ [house], my dad’s parents and hang out with that family, and it was always fun. We’d always have turkey, ham and football.”

AUDIO: Eric Paslay talks about his favorite Christmas song.

Eric Paslay (Christmas Song) OC: …Christmas. :07

“My favorite Christmas song is ‘Away in a Manger.’ The melody’s so beautiful, and I think it’s the true meaning of Christmas.”

Lady Antebellum talk favorite Christmas gifts, songs, movies and more!

AUDIO: Lady A’s Dave Haywood recalls his favorite Christmas gift. OC: (Charles) …album cover, too. :15

“My favorite Christmas gift was probably my very first guitar from my Grandpa about 15 years ago. And more recently, I got a red Gibson about 5 or 6 years ago. That red one we use on stage was given to me by my Dad for Christmas years ago.” CHARLES: “It was on our first album cover, too.”

AUDIO: Lady A talk about their favorite Christmas movies.

LADY A (Christmas movies) OC: (Hillary) …Christmas Vacation. :14

CHARLES: “Favorite Christmas movie would have to be A Christmas Story! I never get tired out of it – ‘shoot your eye out’ is my favorite line.” DAVE: “National Lampoon’s…” HILLARY: “Yes! My favorite Christmas movie is – it’s close between It’s a Wonderful Life and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

AUDIO: Lady A reveal their favorite Christmas songs.

LADY A (Christmas songs) OC: (Hillary) …His Child.’ :15

CHARLES: “Favorite Christmas song for me would have to be ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’ How ‘bout you guys?” DAVE: “My favorite Christmas song would have to be ‘We Three Kings.’” HILLARY: “One of my favorite all-time Christmas songs is one that Trisha Yearwood recorded called ‘It Wasn’t His Child.’”

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley says he is a last minute Christmas shopper.

LADY A (Charles-last minute shopper) OC: …last-minuter. :08

“I’m probably a last-minute shopper for sure. Hillary says she’s already been doing her Christmas shopping really early, but I would have to say I’m a last-minuter.”