Career Timeline of Eric Church: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Eric Church, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Kenneth Eric Church, known professionally as Eric Church, is a prominent American singer-songwriter. He's released seven studio albums under Capitol Nashville since 2005. His debut album, 'Sinners Like Me' (2006), spawned three Billboard country chart singles, including "How 'Bout You", "Two Pink Lines", and "Guys Like Me," all achieving top 20 success. He is also a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
2005: Co-writing and Recording
In 2005, Eric Church co-wrote Terri Clark's single "The World Needs a Drink" and Dean Miller's "Whiskey Wings" on the album Platinum, also in 2005.
April 2006: Grand Ole Opry Debut
In April 2006, Eric Church performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, marking a significant milestone in his early career.
2006: Release of Debut Album "Sinners Like Me"
In 2006, Eric Church released his debut album "Sinners Like Me", which included three singles that charted on the Billboard country charts.
2008: Release of "His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)"
In 2008, Eric Church released "His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)" to country radio, which debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
March 24, 2009: Carolina Album Release
On March 24, 2009, Eric Church's second album, Carolina, was released in stores after a release party concert at his alma mater.
September 2009: "Love Your Love the Most" Reaches Top 10
In September 2009, Eric Church's song "Love Your Love the Most" peaked at No. 10, marking his first top 10 hit.
October 2009: "Hell on the Heart" Debut
In October 2009, "Hell on the Heart", the second single from the album "Carolina", debuted and would hit the top 10 in May 2010.
2009: Release of Carolina Album
In 2009, Eric Church released his second album, Carolina, which produced the singles "Smoke a Little Smoke", "Love Your Love the Most" and "Hell on the Heart".
May 2010: "Hell on the Heart" Hit Top 10
In May 2010, "Hell on the Heart" hit the top 10.
June 2010: Move to EMI Records Nashville
In June 2010, Eric Church moved to Capitol Nashville's new imprint, EMI Records Nashville.
January 14, 2011: Release of Caldwell County EP
On January 14, 2011, Eric Church released a four-song EP entitled Caldwell County.
July 26, 2011: Release of Chief Album
On July 26, 2011, Eric Church released the album Chief, which debuted at No. 1 on both Top Country Albums and the Billboard 200, selling 145,000 copies in its first week.
2011: Release of Chief Album
In 2011, Eric Church released his first No. 1 album, Chief, which featured his first two No. 1 singles, "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen", as well as the hits "Homeboy", "Creepin'", and "Like Jesus Does".
January 2012: "Drink in My Hand" Becomes No. 1 Single
In January 2012, Eric Church's song "Drink in My Hand" became his first No. 1 single.
February 2012: "Springsteen" Released as Single
In February 2012, Eric Church released "Springsteen" as the third single from Chief, which became a No. 1 country hit and a Top 20 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
July 16, 2012: "Creepin'" Released to Country Radio
On July 16, 2012, "Creepin'", the fourth single from Chief, was released to country radio.
September 2012: Announcement of First Live Album
In September 2012, Eric Church announced plans to release his first live album in 2013, featuring recordings from performances at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
January 2013: "Like Jesus Does" Released as Single
In January 2013, Eric Church's song "Like Jesus Does" was released as the fifth single from Chief.
October 22, 2013: Release of "The Outsiders" Single
On October 22, 2013, Eric Church released the single "The Outsiders", which was the title track for his upcoming fourth studio album.
2013: Singles Released From Album
Between 2013 and 2015, Eric Church released five singles from The Outsiders album: the title track, "Give Me Back My Hometown", "Cold One", "Talladega" and "Like a Wrecking Ball".
2013: Planned Time Off and Touring
In 2013, Eric Church planned to take time off for songwriting. He also co-headlined Kenny Chesney's No Shoes Nation Tour.
2013: Establishment of Chief Cares Fund
In 2013, Eric and Katherine Church organized The Chief Cares Fund, a non-profit organization to help underprivileged families in Tennessee, North Carolina, and orphans in Nepal.
January 2014: Release of "Give Me Back My Hometown"
In January 2014, Eric Church released "Give Me Back My Hometown" which reached number one on the Country Airplay chart.
February 11, 2014: Release of "The Outsiders" Album
On February 11, 2014, Eric Church's fourth studio album, also titled The Outsiders, was released.
February 2014: Release of The Outsiders Album
In February 2014, Eric Church released his fourth album, The Outsiders, which produced multiple singles.
June 2014: Release of "Cold One"
In June 2014, Eric Church released the single "Cold One" from his album The Outsiders.
February 2015: "Talladega" Reaches Number One
In February 2015, "Talladega" reached number one on the Country Airplay chart.
March 9, 2015: Release of "Like a Wrecking Ball"
On March 9, 2015, Eric Church released "Like a Wrecking Ball" to country radio.
May 2015: Sixth No. 1 Hit with Keith Urban
In May 2015, Eric Church achieved his sixth No. 1 hit with Keith Urban with the single "Raise 'Em Up".
November 3, 2015: Surprise Release of Mr. Misunderstood Album
On November 3, 2015, Eric Church's surprise album, Mr. Misunderstood, was mailed to fan club members before becoming available to the public.
November 9, 2015: Release of "Mr. Misunderstood" to Radio
On November 9, 2015, Eric Church's title track, "Mr. Misunderstood", from his new album was released to radio.
November 2015: Release of Mr. Misunderstood Album
In November 2015, Eric Church released his fifth studio album, Mr. Misunderstood, which went on to produce two number one singles with "Record Year" and "Round Here Buzz".
February 6, 2016: "Mr. Misunderstood" peaked at No. 15 on airplay chart
On February 6, 2016, the song "Mr. Misunderstood" peaked at No. 15 on the airplay chart.
March 2016: "Record Year" Released to Radio
In March 2016, Eric Church's song "Record Year" was released to radio.
August 2016: "Record Year" Hit No. 1 on Country Airplay
In August 2016, "Record Year" reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.
August 29, 2016: "Kill a Word" Released to Country Radio
On August 29, 2016, the third single from Mr. Misunderstood, "Kill a Word", was released to country radio.
May 2017: End of Holdin' My Own Tour
In May 2017, Eric Church concluded his Holdin' My Own Tour, which featured 62 shows in 61 cities.
September 2017: Started Releasing 61 Days in Church on Digital Streaming Services
In September 2017, Eric Church began releasing the album 61 Days in Church in stages for free on digital streaming services.
October 4, 2017: Debut of "Why Not Me" at Grand Ole Opry
On October 4, 2017, Eric Church debuted a song titled "Why Not Me", written for Sonny Melton, at the Grand Ole Opry.
November 2017: Release of 61 Days in Church Vinyl Box Set
In November 2017, Eric Church released a limited run vinyl box set titled 61 Days in Church, which was released in monthly stages through 2018 and included live recordings from his 2017 Holdin' My Own Tour.
July 12, 2018: Announcement of Desperate Man Album
On July 12, 2018, Eric Church announced via social media that he would release his sixth album, Desperate Man, on October 5, 2018.
July 2018: Release of Desperate Man's First Single
In July 2018, Eric Church released the first single and title track of his album Desperate Man.
October 5, 2018: Release of Desperate Man Album
On October 5, 2018, Eric Church released his sixth album, Desperate Man.
June 25, 2020: Release of "Stick That in Your Country Song"
On June 25, 2020, Eric Church released "Stick That in Your Country Song", the lead single from his upcoming seventh studio album.
November 9, 2020: Release of "Hell of a View"
On November 9, 2020, Eric Church released the second official single, "Hell of a View", which topped the Country Airplay charts.
November 11, 2020: CMA Entertainer of the Year Award
On November 11, 2020, Eric Church won the Entertainer of the Year award at the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
January 21, 2021: Announcement of Heart & Soul Triple Album
On January 21, 2021, Eric Church announced his seventh studio album, Heart & Soul, would be a triple album, to be released in April 2021.
April 2021: Release of Heart & Soul Triple Album Set
In April 2021, Eric Church released the triple album set Heart & Soul, consisting of Heart, & and Soul, with a total of 24 songs.
April 16, 2021: Release of Heart Album
On April 16, 2021, Eric Church released the first album of the triple set, Heart.
October 2021: Solo Concerts on The Gather Again Tour
In October 2021, Eric Church performed two solo concerts on his The Gather Again Tour after bandmates tested positive for COVID-19.
2021: Release of Heart & Soul Album
In 2021, Eric Church released the triple album set Heart & Soul.
February 22, 2022: Announcement of ACM Awards Performance
On February 22, 2022, it was announced that Eric Church would perform at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
March 7, 2022: Performance at ACM Awards
On March 7, 2022, Eric Church performed at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
August 2022: Release of & Album
In August 2022, Eric Church released the physical vinyl exclusive of album &.
November 2022: Awarded North Carolina Award
In November 2022, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper awarded Eric Church the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor.
April 2024: Opening of Chief's Bar in Nashville
In April 2024, Eric Church opened Chief's, a bar, restaurant, and performance venue in downtown Nashville.
October 4, 2024: Release of "Darkest Hour"
On October 4, 2024, Eric Church released "Darkest Hour", his first solo performance in three years. The song, written before Hurricane Helene, was released early to support North Carolina hurricane relief efforts, with all publishing royalties going to the state.
October 26, 2024: "Concert for Carolina"
On October 26, 2024, Eric Church and Luke Combs put together the "Concert for Carolina" at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, raising over $24 million for Hurricane Helene relief.
March 17, 2025: Announcement of New Single and Album
On March 17, 2025, Eric Church announced his single, "Hands of Time", from his eighth studio album, Evangeline vs. the Machine, to be released three days later. He also announced that the album would be released on May 2, 2025.
March 20, 2025: Release of "Hands of Time"
On March 20, 2025, Eric Church released "Hands of Time", his first single from his eighth studio album, Evangeline vs. the Machine.
April 29, 2025: Teasing "Bleed on Paper"
On April 29, 2025, Eric Church teased the second track from the album, "Bleed on Paper", across his social media.
May 2, 2025: Release of "Evangeline vs. the Machine" album
On May 2, 2025, Eric Church released his eighth studio album, "Evangeline vs. the Machine".
May 16, 2025: Collaboration on "Number 3 and Number 7"
On May 16, 2025, Morgan Wallen released his fourth studio album, I'm the Problem, including the song "Number 3 and Number 7" featuring Eric Church. It is their second collaboration following "Man Made a Bar" in 2023.
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