When you're Akron, Ohio's biggest Country Music Radio Station and you announce another rising star showcase, there's a flood of listeners calling in trying to win a very special VIP package. Being the right caller confirms you and a guest are gonna be treated to a very special evening. The VIP package consists of a catered meal, a very intimate mini-concert by an artist whose star is just beginning to shine, and the extreme pleasure of meeting the artist afterwards. Meeting the artist garners you a little chat, a personalized autograph and a treasured photo with said artist. Attach the rising star's name, in this case, Eric Church, and what you get is a mass of desperate, unlucky fans who haven't secured a ticket, trying everything they can think of to get one for the showcase. Some even tried bribing the DJ's with things I can't even repeat here. A whole slew of fans showed up hoping by some miracle winners wouldn't show and they could take over their spot. The most unique story came about on Saturday, the second day of giving away the VIP packages. Greg and Kim, a young couple from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, spent Saturday morning, their wedding day, doing things you would normally do the morning of your wedding day. Except, in between ironing your shirt and taking care of last minute flower arrangements, you're desperately dialing the radio station every hour trying to win a chance to see your favorite country singer. Lucky in love but not lucky in the correct caller game, the young couple finally gave up trying to win and went on with their wedding day. When the station heard about this Eric Church lovin' couple, Monday morning they became the VIPs of the VIPs. The couple had a front row table for the evening's performance and were introduced to the crowd by Eric himself. Eric also gave the blushing bride a beautiful bouquet of flower's and wished them well in their new life together.
Eric was introduced just after 6:00 PM by morning radio host, Scott Wynn. Welcomed loudly by his audience, Eric thanked everyone for being a part of the showcase, and then went on to introduce the newlyweds. Taking to the stage with just a stool, a guitar and a voice, with no band, no elaborate sound or lighting system it was just all Eric. In a room full of tables, cameras, radio personnel and sixty adoring fans, man, you could've heard a pin drop. Yeah okay, I stole that line from one of Eric's songs, but those words truly were the perfect description of how quiet it was while Eric talked or sang. Every ear, every eye and every camera lens was glued to the 30 year old man in front of them. The fans were there to savor every second of this very rare and unique opportunity.
Having written all twelve tracks of his first release, Sinners Like Me, it was a really special treat when Eric could tell the story of how each song came to be. Beginning with "Before She Does," Eric introduced the song by saying he and a co-writing buddy were either celebrating or mourning Eric's girlfriend leaving, (he couldn't remember which) when his buddy told him not to worry, she'd be back. Eric said he had seen the look on her face when she left, and Jesus was coming back before she did. The crowd knew right away what the song was, and Eric cut loose with the first of a handful of songs.
