I was first introduced to Eric's music back in February at a luncheon showcase during the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. Only getting to hear 4 songs during that performance, I was really left with a strong desire to hear more. My wait was over when I saw the lineup on the tour page of his new website, EricChurch.com. He was gonna be appearing at new place called The Funky Frog Concert Club and Eatery.
Arriving sharply at 6:30, I was greeted just inside the door by one of the three owners, Bob Metz, who along with his staff and the other two owners, Lenny Merriman, and Bill Riebe, took great care of me all night. The club is brand new and was a fantastic place for a concert. The decor matched the name, a rather relaxed looking neon blue frog. Lot's of tables with chairs surrounding a perfectly sized dance floor. Bob told me they have country night every Thursday and have some really great acts coming up. I was also greatly impressed with the food. I only ordered a cheeseburger but they had an extensive, very reasonably priced menu, I'm just a cheeseburger kinda girl. I must admit it was one of the best burgers I've had in a very long time. Kudos to the cook!!
With guitar in tow and his five piece band, Eric took the stage just before 10:00 PM performing one killer version of "Before She Does." Within the first few seconds of those hard hitting, attention grabbing licks of this yet un-released single from his Sinners Like Me" CD, you couldn't find an empty spot near the stage. The crowd lunged to their feet welcoming this up-and-coming, breath of fresh country air from Granite Falls, North Carolina.
Next up was "Two Pink Lines." With a brief explanation beforehand, and commenting that some of us, like himself might have faced a day like this during the incredibly careless days of our youth, he sang the story of how sometimes those first few weeks of young love can lead ya straight to a whole lot of worry.
With a very enthusiastic crowd in front of him, Eric continued thrilling us all with, "Guys Like Me," "Sinners Like Me, "These Boots" and others. Being deeply influenced by Merle Haggard, he co-wrote a song honoring Merle called, "Pledge Allegiance To The Hag." I suspect, if released as a single, this will be played over and over at every honky tonk around. It's a great sing along, and tonight this crowd loved it even though no one had ever heard it.
Eric finally looked out into the crowd and asked everyone what they wanted to hear. He knew the answer, and the crowd overwhelmingly confirmed it. They wanted to hear his first single, "How 'Bout You." Reaching #14 on the country charts and still going strong, he told us it was also gonna be #3 next week on CMT's Video Countdown. And just like a scene from the video, the crowd in front of the stage was loving it! During the middle of the song, Eric and the band interjected a little of Waylon's, "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," Ram Jam's, "Black Betty," and a pretty impressive guitar rift of Ozzy Osbourne's, Eric had us all eating out of the palm of his hand.
All good things must end and before I knew it the night was almost over. Eric's last song was the fast paced, harmony filled classic, "The Shape I'm In." Although it isn't included on his soon to be released CD, he and the band did a great job with it and left me and the crowd wanting some more. My only regret at this concert was that is just wasn't long enough. A short time after leaving the stage Eric came back out to meet with the fans and sign autographs for everyone.
Eric is gonna be touring with Brad Paisley and Sara Evans this summer and fall and I'm looking forward to seeing him again then. I was very grateful for the opportunity to see him in such an intimate setting. With his boyishly handsome good looks, guitar skills and the ability to write a song like nobody's business, Eric is gonna go to the top and I for one can't wait for him to get there.
Set List:
- Before She Does
- Two Pink Lines
- Guys Like Me
- Sinners Like Me
- What I Almost Was
- Can't Take It With You
- These Boots
- Pledge Allegiance To The Hag
- How 'Bout You
- Chevy Van
- The Hard Way
- The Shape I'm In
