Eric Church is a proud American. The North Carolina native is opening up about his love for his country, ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
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"It's about, especially the soldiers that I come in contact with on the road and play," Church says. "And not only that, to be able to make the music that I'm able to make. and to say what I want to say. That freedom to be able to do those things and be in a country where we're allowed to do that, and be in a country where we're allowed to play that stuff on the radio."
In spite of the volatile political climate in recent years, Church still believes most people would agree that the United States is the best place to live.
"I don't think you're going to have any American argue that America's not the best place to live," Church maintains. "And I'm certainly one of them. I'm very proud to be from here, and very proud that we have the soldiers. There are a lot of other countries out there in the world that don't want to live the way we do, and that's fine. They can just keep living the way they are. I'm very proud of it, and I think that's a time to celebrate being proud to be an American. Celebrate those freedoms, and celebrate the people that are over there fighting for this freedom."
Eric Church's Evangeline vs. The Machine Album
Church has a new album, Evangeline vs. The Machine, out now. The eight-track record, Church reveals, was inspired by New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty.
"Trombone Shorty came and played a show with me in New Orleans on the Gather Again Tour," Church tells the Los Angeles Times, speaking of his 2022 tour. "We ended up in the dressing room after and got in this incredible conversation about brass instruments and string instruments and the history of music. Later, he invited me to come play this show he does during Jazz Fest. There were probably two white people onstage that night: me and Steve Miller."
Trombone Shorty and Church performed Church's "Cold One," a rendition that changed everything for him.
"I've done 'Cold One' a thousand times, but I had never done 'Cold One' like that ... The dude had the damn [violin] on his shoulder, not under his chin. Everything was wrong for what that song is."
"I'm not convinced anyone even knew the song," he admits. "But we found our spot in the middle of it, and it was killer. I flew home thinking: I want to do a record this way."
