Nashville, Tenn. (January 16, 2012) – EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church kicks off the new year with a career first – “Drink In My Hand” from his critically acclaimed album, CHIEF, topping the Country radio charts.  The number one single joins a string of career firsts and accolades for Church including his first GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album of the Year, CHIEF debuting at the top of the Billboard Top 200 and spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Country albums chart, a Gold certification by the RIAA forCHIEF after only 10 weeks, the ACM Award for New Solo Vocalist of the Year and the announcement of his first arena headline tour - The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour.

"This is the 10th single we have released to radio," explains Church. "It is truly the greatest example of belief, dedication, determination and plain old hard work that we have achieved this milestone.  I can't thank the EMI staff and country radio enough for making this happen and believing in the music, but  the real gratitude must go to our fans.  I've heard countless stories from hundreds of fans of how they have gone above and beyond to get our songs heard and demand that people pay attention to what's going on in our world.  I can't think of a better way to kick off a tour!"

CHIEF has been recognized as one of the Top Albums of 2011 by Rob Harvilla’s SPIN List, NPR, Rolling Stone and Amazon.  iTunes named Church 2011 Country Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

For more information check out  www.ericchurch.com.

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It was an amazing weekend for Eric Church Fans in Crystal River Florida where Church ended his 2011 “Blood, Sweat and Beers” Touring Season at the Rock Crusher Canyon Amphitheater.

Church wowed the sold out crowd with perfect weather, his trademark sound and ended his record breaking season with many happy fans enjoying his country hits.

December in Florida offers up some perfect weather.  Where else can you be on stage in a t-shirt in December?  Church took plenty of time to talk with the fans, thanking them multiple times for making his latest record “Chief” break all previous record sales. 

And what a year it’s been for Church!  With the arrival of his new son, being nominated and winning multiple awards and the release of another album, you can only imagine what 2012 has in store for this chart buster. 

During the concert, and while performing the hit song "These Boots", a fan threw their boots up onto the stage.  Rather than get upset or have security get rid of the fan, Church walked over, picked up one of the boots and held it up for the entire song.

When he was finished performing the song, he made sure to find the person who had thrown their boots up on stage and gave them back their boots.

The crowd loved every second of it and I'm sure the owner of the boots will tell this story over and over for the rest of their life. 

Nashville, Tenn. – Country star Eric Church and wife Katherine welcomed a new baby boy, Boone McCoy Church, on Oct. 3, and now, at 10-weeks-old, their son meets the world for the first time looking up from the casing of his daddy’s 6-string guitar. Born at 7 lbs. and 11 oz., Boone is a very healthy and happy boy, and according to Eric, is the most amazing gift he’s ever received.

“Everybody always tells you what an awesome and unique experience being a parent is,” says Eric. “But words can never do the feeling justice. 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.”

Having been skyrocketed into the spotlight since the release of his GRAMMY-nominated album CHIEF that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart he adds, “It will be interesting to see how this new chapter in our life manifests itself musically.  I’ve always made music that was representative of real life. Life doesn’t get more real than having a newborn at home.”

Church plans to celebrate his son’s first Christmas at home with his wife and family. His headlining tour, The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, will commence in 2012 in Fort Smith, AR on January 19.

For more information on Eric Church, visit www.ericchurch.com