Friday, January 25, 2013

The Church Bulletin

Announcements:
        Eric Church's latest album, Chief  was released on July 26th, 2011.
       
        Track Lists:
               1. Creepin'
               2. Drink in My Hand
               3. Keep On
               4. Like Jesus Does
               5. Hungover & Hard Up
               6. Homeboy
               7. Country Music Jesus
               8. Jack Daniels
               9. Springsteen
               10. I'm Gettin' Stoned
               11. Over When It's Over

Chief album cover
Mediation:
      "Over When It's Over" - This song is about heartbreak and hope of falling in and out of love. This is one of my top songs because it tells the story of all the emotions a person goes through when they come to the realization that a relationship is over. The song goes from telling about the regrets, loneliness, and heartache that comes with breakups to the slight hope of reconnection to the realization that "there ain't no better way, we could make it work."   The tempo of the song is a slow swing that gives the overall album variety because most of the album is more upbeat country music. This song stays very true to the message of country music because it tells a story that anyone and everyone can relate to at some point in their lives.


Sermon:
      The song "Creepin'" is my number one favorite on the entire album because it has the ultimate country vibe to it; the song itself just screams twang in my mind. The story line behind this song is about being left by someone but not dealing with tears. Instead it's about a slight bit of revenge by getting under the person's skin and knowing their every move. Even though I love this song the idea of writing a song about stalking someone isn't the first thing I'd probably think of if I was going to write a song about getting over someone. Nonetheless, "Creepin'" is about as country as music today comes.


Click on the music video above to watch "Creepin'"


      "Keep On" - You've got two choices, walk away or keep looking, with this song. The story behind this one is stealing someone away from someone else. When I listen to this song I think of a guy taking his date out for a round of drinks at a bar except the odds aren't in his favor tonight. After a few drinks his date ends up eyeing another guy and before the night is over she's dancing with him. Then when the guy tries to claim his date back things end up going a little haywire. So the point is if you want to feel the horns of the bull you can "keep on looking at me that way" and see what happens.


Eric Church never goes anywhere without his guitar


      "Country Music Jesus" - Praise Country Music! This song is about making country music a religion not just a genre. I personally like this song because it's very creative with what elements of religion are replaced by staples of country. Some of these substitutes are the Bible vs. The Book of John Cash, having a revelation that there will be a country music Jesus coming to save everyone, needing a second coming for country music, and having hippie prophets. The overall song is entertaining to listen to with religion being intertwined with country music. The only critique that I have is that the chorus repeats a little too much for my taste but aside from that it's a second coming for country music.

Click on the music video above to watch "Springsteen"

      The song "Springsteen" is all about a summertime love story. It's about being 17, it's about being your boyfriend's old car, it's about looking at the stars together, it's about being a carefree teenager, it's about making memories when you're young that you remember for a lifetime. That's what I think about every time I listen to this song; I think about all the memories I have growing up as a kid, the memories I have as a teenager, and the memories I'll have when I'm older. It's about finding that one key word that takes you back to yesterday, and maybe that word is "Springsteen."


I think we should all be as excited about music as Eric Church always is

Closing: 
      I hope you I've given you some inspiration to listen to this album because I really believe it speaks the true voice of country music. Eric Church takes his own life situations and makes them something that everyone can relate to in his lyrics. His music helps me to take a step back from the world around me and live in the moment. So yes, maybe it's "over when it's over" or maybe you're still "creepin'" to get revenge or you just "keep on" with life or maybe you're still waiting for your "country music Jesus" or maybe you're living in that "Springsteen" moment, either way I hope that maybe this album can help you figure it out. 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Deal or No Deal?

Let's make a deal. If you answer yes to the next 7 questions then you keep reading, but if you answer  no to any of them you're free to leave.

1. Are you a country music fan?
2. Have you ever wanted to live in Nashville for a day?
3. Do you know all the local country stations?
4. Have you ever had a craving for southern food?
5. Do you wish you could wear cowboy boots with every outfit?
6. Do you love southern accents?
7. Are you still reading this?

Good, then I guess we have a deal then.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Who is Eric Church?

If I said the name Eric Church what thoughts pop in your mind? If you're not familiar with the genre of country music then there's a good chance you're drawing a blank face right now. On the other hand if you are familiar with the name then at least half of what I'm saying should ring a bell to you.

Eric Church Fact List:
1. Started songwriting and playing guitar at age 13
2. Began performing for audiences at local bar in his teens through college
3. Grew up in Granite Falls, North Carolina
4. Attended Appalachian State University
5. Formed a band in college call Mountain Boys
6. Graduated with a degree in marketing
7. Deal with his dad that if he got a degree, his dad would pay for him to go to Nashville for 6 months
8. Moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in country music
9. Eventually got signed with Capitol Records Nashville
10. Athlete in high school: basketball, baseball, and golf



Here's a face to go with the name.