Eric Church My Space page

HAIL TO THE CHIEF: ERIC CHURCH TOPS BILLBOARD'S COUNTRY & TOP 200 ALBUM CHARTS
Top 15 Single "Homeboy" reaches RIAA Gold® Certification
Church to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! August 8

EMI Records Nashville's Eric Church tops the Billboard album charts with CHIEF taking the No. 1 spot on both the Country and Top 200 with 144,990 albums sold. CHIEF, the third studio album from Church, more than quadrupled the first week sales of his Gold® Certified sophomore release Carolina. CHIEF is only the second country album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 this year and is second highest selling debut for a country release this year behind Brad Paisley. The album also posted the highest first week digital sales for a country release this year. As if Church didn't have enough to celebrate – his critically acclaimed Top 15 single, "Homeboy," has been certified Gold® by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) making this his third Gold® Certified career record.

"We have always put everything we have into making the best records possible," explains Church. "Complete, individual pieces of work that strive to be as different and innovative as they are creative and artistic. It is a journey that at times has led us down the road less traveled. It is very humbling and rewarding to learn that a lot of people decided to follow us down this path. I can't thank my fans enough and look forward to where this trip takes us next."

In addition to its chart topping success, CHIEF has been met with stellar reviews:

"If any country album should command your attention right now, it's CHIEF…. Church is something to praise."
PEOPLE MAGAZINE (4 out of 4 stars)

"…showing how country music can move into the future with substance and integrity."
ASSOCIATED PRESS

"Church has an authentic smolder in his voice and the gumption to uphold the hallmarks of traditional country."
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

"This isn't your grandmother's country music."
WASHINGTON TIMES

For CHIEF Church reunited with producer Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, Cage the Elephant, Emmylou Harris) who produced his two prior releases, the 2006 critically-acclaimed debut album, Sinners Like Me and the Gold Certified Carolina. Church's previous releases generated six Top 20 singles and earned him an ACM Award for New Solo Vocalist of the Year. Known for his rowdy, energy packed live shows – Church is currently Toby Keith's "Locked and Loaded Tour" through October.

Church will continue to make appearances in support of CHIEF's release with a national performance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Monday, August 8.

For more information check out www.ericchurch.com.