ERIC CHURCH REACTS TO FIVE CMA AWARD NOMINATIONS

Church Leads CMA Award Nominations with Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for “Springsteen”

Credit: John Peets Photography

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Wednesday, September 5, 2012) – Platinum-selling country artist Eric Church was blissfully unaware that upon his return to Nashville earlier today, he would lead the pack of contenders with the most nominations for the 2012 CMA Awards. Following his first-ever CMA nomination for New Artist of the Year at last year’s awards show, Church received a total of five nominations this year including: Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (CHIEF), Single of The Year (“Springsteen”), Song of the Year (“Springsteen”), and Music Video of the Year (“Springsteen”).

While swimming in the Gulf of Mexico on vacation this past week, Church lost his cell phone and had no way to be informed he'd even been nominated at all. However, when he returned to Nashville this morning his management whisked him away to their office, projected the press release from the CMA on an oversized screen in his manager John Peets’ office, and waited for his reaction.

“I really don’t even know what to say!” Church said. “I’m still a little bit in shock… I’m truly speechless. I think it’s a testament to the fans that believed in the music... loved the music... and told people about the music because otherwise we don’t really have the track record to be the most nominated at this point in our career. I think that it’s truly because of the fans… they did something I think is going to be judged as pretty special.”

In order to thank them for all of their support over the years, Church created a special video address that went out to Church Choir members exclusively today.

On Sept. 13, Church will kick off the fall leg of The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour in Amherst, MA and will release his first-ever live album in 2013.

For more information on Eric Church and to stay updated on tour dates and other career happenings, please visit www.EricChurch.com.