On Eric Church’s Post-Vegas Opry Moment, & New Song “Why Not Me”
I’m sure you’ve seen it. And if you haven’t, you shortly will. On Wednesday October 4th, Eric Church, who was the Friday night headliner at the Route 91 Harvest Festival that 48 hours later would become the scene of the largest mass shooting in modern American history, stood within the circle of the hallowed Grand Ole Opry stage to tell his story of coming to grips with what happened, and sharing a new song in dedication to a fallen fan.
It’s hard to watch from all the emotion spilling from Eric Church, and it must have been even harder for Eric Church to have to relive those moments and tell the story, clearly shaken up, fighting back tears, and at times, losing his composure as he recalls his experience at the Harvest Festival in hindsight, now knowing what happened days later.
It was a touching moment, and a poignant moment. And it’s the moment that so far has encapsulated the emotion everyone is feeling about what happened in Las Vegas better than any other, and it’s elevated in its emotional gravity by the fact that Eric Church is not one who is known to wear his heart on his sleeve or call upon crocodile tears to lure in an audience. He’s known as being hard-nosed, and if anything, withdrawn, or at least steely, which makes his display of emotion that much more unusual, and heart-wrenching to witness.
Eric Church is also known as someone who takes care of his fans, probably more and better than any other artist of his stature and with his size of fan base, and that’s what a lot of the time in his setup to performing his new song was spent on—recalling his fans out in the Harvest Festival crowd, their reactions to songs, meeting them as he jumped off the stage to shake their hands.
This was a great moment at the Grand Ole Opry that will be remembered in the annals of Opry history, and the history that will forever surround what happened in Las Vegas which is now inexorably tied to country music. But this was also a very Eric Church moment. I don’t want to take anything away from the moment, or Eric Church. I didn’t even really want to address this because I feel like this is one of those moments where opinions can be misconstrued or taken out of context, but I’ve been requested to do so by so many. I don’t want to be callous here, but Eric Church likes to talk about Eric Church. It was his crowd, it was his neck they put an American flag scarf around, it was he who went out into the crowd to meet his fans, it we he who stood in the same spot where carnage would ensue 48 hours later. And he made sure to remind us all that he was a headliner of the Route 91 Harvest Festival as well.
There’s certainly no doubt that Eric Church feels a lot of survivor’s guilt, as well as genuine pain for those who were lost. How can you not? But there was no mention of Jason Aldean, or Jason Aldean’s fans, who were the primary victims in the incident, or the fans of anyone else, or country fans in general. Of course there is some carry over between fans of Eric Church and Jason Aldean, but there are also a lot of Eric Church fans that would never go to a Jason Aldean show. That’s why they like Eric Church. He’s mainstream country’s “Outsider.”
I’m not saying the moment wasn’t important or touching, because it was. And that’s the reason the video has gone viral, and caused such a stir in the country community. But it’s also my job to be honest about how I feel, and I’d rather not say anything at all than lie about my assessment. It was a great moment, but a great moment Church could have shared with everyone of country music, which probably would have made it even more compelling.
I’ve had a lot of critical things to say about Eric Church over the years. But in the last few years, Eric Church has really turned a page, especially with his last record Mr. Misunderstood. And so far, Eric Church has the one who’s been able to encapsulate the emotion we all feel as country music fans better than anyone else in the Las Vegas aftermath. I’m no fan of Jason Aldean, and have had many critical things to say about Aldean over the years as well, and his fans. But when bullets start flying and people fall, we’re all brothers and sisters in the greater country music community, with no boundaries due to differing definitions on what country music is, or who someone’s favorite artist might be, or which artists are openers or headliners.
And let’s not bury the lead here, which is Eric Church presenting a brand new song called “Why Not Me” that he wrote in the aftermath of the massacre, and that is frankly incredible, at least as a naked, acoustic composition. We may be witnessing a similar moment to what we saw with Alan Jackson in the aftermath of 9/11 when it was Alan’s words and music that made for the perfect healing and encapsulation of emotion that the country and world needed to help heal. I hope Eric Church gets a studio version of “Why Not Me” to market soon, releases it as a single, and gives the country music community an anthem and gathering point to grieve the loss this community has felt.
It’s so hard in these moments to know how to walk the line between poignancy and opportunism. I have struggled myself in the last few days on if I should be talking about every new detail coming out of the shooting investigation, and regurgitating the stories of the heroes and the fallen that have been originally reported by others. Or if it’s my place to move forward with business as usual, focus back on the music, if for no other reason than to help get our minds off the tragedy.
Alan Jackson was criticized by some for commercializing 9/11 sympathy, and some will do the same with Eric Church. But as Church said himself, music is the way we get through these moments. And though others have tried valiantly, Eric Church is the one so far, verified by the viral reaction, that has stepped out of the shadows of grief to deliver the light and the message we’ve all been waiting to hear, and put words to the emotions we all feel.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 8:44 am
I’m going to be honest I didn’t read you entire article because if you criticized it I wouldn’t be able to deal. I was at Route 91 FOR Eric Church – I am one of those fans and I was lucky to decide to leave early Sunday. But people I know were not as lucky. It has had me sick all week. This song and reaction helped me deal with emotions I could process until he spoke out. This will help so many heal. The Church fans have started a fundraiser and have so far raised more than $6,000 to donate to the victims of Route 91…in a little over 24 hours….you don’t have to like Eric Church but he has a very devoted passionate group of fans and he treats us with great care and respect. Proud to be an Eric Church fan this week. Praying for all those suffering in the aftermath of Route 91.
Julian Spivey
October 6, 2017 @ 9:14 am
I don’t see anything wrong with giving a personal side of the tragedy.
I do hope he makes “Why Not Me” available and gives proceeds to charity.
Sherry Nichols
October 6, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
Amen!!
TJ
October 6, 2017 @ 10:38 pm
CCRR: My wife and I were there too, primarily for Eric. Had the shooter attacked on Friday, I’m scared to think of what would have happened to my wife and myself. We were sitting right in the center of where the shooter targeted. She’s 8.5 months pregnant and was hell bound to see Eric one last time this year, and there’s no way we would have been anything other than sitting ducks. We hadn’t quite left on Sunday, but thank heavens we were at the food trucks that were the separation from the main stage and the large food area. The bullets sounded like hail on a tin roof as they hit those trucks. Just as with you, his song helped me deal with something I have set aside and can only address in bits and pieces. For the first time since the incident, I openly wept, not only for those that died, those that were injured, but also in recognition of the fear that I suppressed for my wife, our unborn child and our family. Whether he releases this song or not, he has given me a means of much needed healing, and I am so grateful.
CCRR
October 7, 2017 @ 9:33 am
I didn’t want to come back to this thread anymore, but I saw via email that you left this comment. And I wanted to say I am so happy you and your family got out of there safely. I am also glad you were able to find solace and comfort, as I was, with Eric’s words and song. Hug your family tight and keep spreading love and healing. My thoughts are with you in addition to every other person involved in this terrible event.
Clint
October 6, 2017 @ 8:44 am
I think it might be the Alan Jackson moment of this tragedy. I think he said it is his fans because it easily could have been him or us. On 9/11, I know I thought that could have been me, I fly often. Same here, I have went to many of these concerts and it could have been me. Instead, it was people just like me. I know I have watched that video numerous times and it gets to me every time. I have never seen Eric like that, kind of like those few times in your life you see your father or grandfather cry, it hurts more.
Farmer83
October 6, 2017 @ 8:44 am
I myself shed tears when I watched this yesterday. I think the reason that Eric was talking about his fans was because one of the man that was killed had went to the festival to see Eric Church. His wife in an interview said Eric Church was his favorite singer. Not only had they went to the festival to see Eric Church they also had tickets to see him that night at the Grand Ole Opry.
Katelyn
October 6, 2017 @ 8:58 am
Badass dude. This is why he’s my favorite artist.
Eric Woods
October 6, 2017 @ 9:02 am
My thoughts exactly, Trig. I thought his setup for the song was very “me” heavy from his perspective, and it honestly distracted me a bit from the larger point of the song initially. I’m sure his heart is in the right place, but do we really need a rundown of his set list and all the different ways that fans interacted for different songs? I don’t really think so. Maybe he’s trying to give the audience a sense of place and make them feel like they were there, but at this point it’s totally unnecessary. If you watch the news at all you already feel like you were there. This is bigger than any one person, and while the song captures that well the monologue leading in to it was distracting and, honestly, a bit confusing for me. Great take as usual Trigger!
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 9:12 am
It was to let the people who were there know that he knows we were there for him…he saw us…acknowledged us…if you can’t see that I’m sorry for you and your narrow mindedness.
Eric Woods
October 6, 2017 @ 9:17 am
I’m not trying to be narrow minded here. Clearly as the headliner on that night of the festival there were going to be A LOT of people that were there to see him. It’s extremely common at a music festival for people in the crowd to be there primarily for one act above all the others. EC just has a habit, like it or not, of playing up his outsider role in country music when clearly he has garnered a lot of mainstream love over the years. It’s not necessary, or endearing honestly, for him to keep leaning so hard in that when he’s one of the top solo acts in country music right now.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 10:37 am
Were you there? Did you experience that union with strangers? Were you singing with them and talking? Do you see their faces and wonder if they are dead or alive? Remember the young kids behind you and pray they are home safe with their families? No? Yeah, didn’t think so. Go find some empathy and try again.
Chad Burks
October 7, 2017 @ 6:21 pm
Look boys… Don’t let this turn into something negative because someone sees it from a different point of view….It was one of the most genuine, and compassionate moments I’ve seen from a artist
BwareDWare94
October 7, 2017 @ 6:05 am
Honestly dude, you’re just nitpicking a very kind, empathetic, and honest gesture. We’re too focused on wanting “moments” to be literally perfect these days. Tiny flaws are what make great moments truly perfect because those tiny flaws are reality.
G.A. Mitchell
October 9, 2017 @ 11:16 pm
Seemed to me like he was sharing what he actually felt. Maybe a PR person would have polished it and said, “No, Eric, you need to say ____.” Could one argue he was self-absorbed in not talking about the Aldean fans, and the other things noted above? Could he have added, “and I’m sure Jason and all the other artists feel the same about when they looked out into the crowd.” Sure. But, I respect that he DIDN’T say what he thought he was supposed to say, but what he felt. That is what I love about country music.
It’s pretty normal for humans to process a tragedy through their personal connections. I wasn’t there, but caught the breaking news as soon as ABC started the coverage about an active shooter on the Vegas Strip. I checked other news channels (nothing) and then online, kind of hoping I’d find it was some error or hoax. Then I found one of the first videos circulating – at first it just showed the crowd. But, with just a few notes, before the camera ever caught the stage, I immediately thought, “that’s Jason Aldean…that’s “When She Says Baby.” I pulled up the video from when I was one of the 60,000 at Sanford Stadium when he played that song. (As we prepared for, tailgated, and attended that show, I had recollections of living on Capitol Hill on 9/11 and near the building of the Anthrax attack, and commuting via motorcycle during the D.C. Sniper. It hit me what an easy and large target the Aldean/Bryan concert would be, how tightly packed in we were, how there was no good flow for exits, how it was dark, and we’d be climbing rows and rows of stairs with people already so drunk they were puking all over the women’s restrooms. I kept telling myself to not be silly…who would go after Athens? Who would go after a Jason Aldean show?)
By that show in 2013, we weren’t the fans of Bryan and Aldean that we were in 2007-2009, when we used to go see them play country music at the Georgia Theatre. But, it was the first ever show at Sanford, and was kind of a ‘what the hell, let’s go’ thing. Still…every time I catch news reports airing the beginning of the song, it puts me in the audience with those fans, because I’ve been there. It’s figurative, of course…empathy. I know I only see the video and hear the sounds; I wasn’t there in danger. But, I feel for those who were there…they are ‘my people’ just as to Eric Church, they were ‘his’ fans. There were plenty of acts at the Festival that don’t get more than two measures out before I change the station. While I may not share the taste in music of every fan, and I certainly don’t agree with all of them on various matters of politics, religion, and love, I do share their affinity for music, and being the kind of person that would base a trip/vacation on a concert, and spend a good chunk of hard-earned money to get sunburned, pay too much for drinks, and fight the stench of a porta-potty. See…all that is self-absorbed…but it’s just the surface piece…the connection that fuels everything I feel for the people injured or killed, for their friends and families, for the survivors, for the ones who made themselves the first responders and used whatever formal training they had and hillbilly engineering to turn fences into litters and pickups into ambulances. I’ve looked at so many photos so many times that my mind has nicknamed the people, and I wonder what happened to them – there’s ‘that guy who looks like an off duty cop and reminds me of my Dad,’ ‘tall skinny black cowboy hat in all black,’ ‘flip flip kid,’ ‘calm guy in Maroon shirt…’
I’ve seen Church 3 times over the years, once outdoors at an ampitheatre on a bill that included Gary Allan and Joe Nichols, once in the GA Dome on a Kenny Chesney tour, and once in the Kris Kristofferson tribute. I like some of his stuff more than other. But, I was struck by his intro to covering Kristofferson’s “To Beat the Devil.” It was the kind of earnest conversation that I miss from shows these days, especially in bigger venues. He shared his personal connection to the song. On one hand, the show was about Kris Kristofferson, not him, but the story Church told was about what Kristofferson’s song had meant to him, and how it had affected his life. At the Opry, he didn’t pretend to speak on behalf of country music, or even the artists who played the festival. He spoke from the heart about what and how he experienced something. That sincerity, gravity, and openness is what I love (and miss) about country music.
CCRR
October 10, 2017 @ 7:51 am
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for you comment to me further down….it hit me hard….and you’re right. And I really appreciate it. I sincerely do.
Corncaster
October 6, 2017 @ 9:13 am
country music
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 9:15 am
And I am now removing myself from this conversation because it’s headed towards critical bullshit and I’m over it. Thanks for reminding me why I’ve avoided this website for so long.
Charlie
October 6, 2017 @ 9:18 am
You’ve got to give a performer a pass on this. They need to do what they do. I was anti-AJ when he did the 9/11 thing, but I’ve since softened my stance substantially.
Hopefully 100% of the proceeds goes to charity.
ManBearPig
October 6, 2017 @ 9:23 am
Unneeded criticism of a man up there attempting to articulate his feelings as best he could in an extremely emotional situation.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 11:42 am
Trigger, any iota of respect I had for you is gone. Shame on you for turning this into something negative. Seriously. I know I said I was done here but I have to get this out. This helped a lot of us process how we were feeling, you weren’t there, you don’t know how to feels. Stay miserable Trigger, you’re good at that. Happy to wipe SCM from my life for good.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 11:56 am
Also – you know what’s selfish here? Your unrelenting need to express your oh-so-important take on things you know nothing about, in the process upsetting some who found so much peace in these words. Trigger just can’t stop talking about Trigger. How about that take?
Trigger
October 6, 2017 @ 12:03 pm
CCRR,
If you think I took something positive and turned it negative, then it is you who have chosen to take an overwhelmingly positive article, and decided to focus on the one concern I decided to voice about Eric Church’s moment on the Opry stage. And you and others doing this is so incredibly predictable, I foretold it happening in the article itself. I did not want to write this article. It does nothing for me. It hurts me. But I was already catching shit for not writing about it at all. And if I had written a 100% positive article about it, there would have been hounds from the other side smearing my name for not calling out Eric Church for his clear opportunistic marketing ploy.
So I gave my honest assessment, which is my job. Today, all that people want from media is for them to reinforce their preformulated opinions. And if you deliver anything else, you’re shunned. But I’d rather go work at Home Depot than to lie to people. It really sucks that I just can’t say nothing, or simply give my honest opinion, without having my character assassinated. Because that’s what we do to people who think differently from us these days. I can pull dozens of quotes giving praise to Eric Church in this article. Only a few wonder if his statements could have been more broad.
I’ve given you and everyone else who disagrees with me a forum to voice those disagreements—something just as foreign on the web these days as honesty. And I respect your opinions and perspective, especially as someone who was at the festival.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 12:14 pm
I’ve felt like an asshole all week; for being self-centered. For thanking God I decided to leave early….for being grateful I don’t have long lasting trauma…but for crying constantly and feeling miserable at the same time. You don’t understand that; Eric had a HUGE crowd of fans there that weekend…I was there amongst them and I KNOW this. He said perfectly what MANY of us were feeling for days and we found so much comfort and peace in hearing that. I’m crying again. I feel selfish and awful again and hate myself momentarily. Thanks. Now are you going to tell me I’m all about me too now? Fuck it, go ahead. I already know. What difference does it make.
G.A. Mitchell
October 9, 2017 @ 11:30 pm
CCRR – I’m glad you made it, and glad you’ve shared your feedback and experience. The gratitude, guilt, shame cycle you’re in is very common and natural, and is shared by about 21,950 other people, in varying ways.
The idea of seeking help for yourself might initially seem ridiculous and selfish – “who I am to talk to someone when I don’t have a scratch on me?” But, I encourage you to seek out some of the resources to help people process / talk through their experience. Triage has happened. Those with open wounds are being treated. Now, those without open wounds should feel no shame in reaching out.
It’s disgusting that the shooter was able to inflict so much physical trauma. Medical professionals are doing their best to minimize the long-term trauma. The same is true for emotional trauma. I followed an interview with a counselor who works with those who experience traumatic events, including those who are inclined to say, ‘no, I’m fine, I wasn’t hit, I don’t need help. Someone else needs it worse.’ Having a few conversations now with someone skilled can help minimize the long-term trauma the shooter gets to inflict on those he didn’t reach with his rounds.
Take care.
jtrpdx
October 6, 2017 @ 12:21 pm
I think CCRR might have read another article? Besides the 2 – 3 sentences that rightfully addressed the awkward focus on himself in the preamble at a time like this (in a non-critical way….he was mainly just pointing it out so that he could later say it doesn’t really matter), the article was wholly positive and complimentary of Church.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 12:27 pm
If you think that was an awkward self-focus you are seriously not understand this event or it’s impact On Everyone involves.
CCRR
October 6, 2017 @ 12:28 pm
And I’m so emotional I can’t spell or type. Apparently.
jim
October 8, 2017 @ 5:16 pm
I think best to forgive the bloke (CCRR) – can’t imagine what he and many others are going through. Very easy to be emotional/not think straight at the best of times
Honky
October 6, 2017 @ 6:47 pm
CCRR,
We must’ve read different articles. From my perspective, this article was basically Trigger coming out as an Eric Church fan, and it disgusted me.
Bertox
October 7, 2017 @ 7:56 am
What’s disgusting is trolls like Honky that only have negative, insulting things to chime in about all the time. He must be a closet Yankee, true Southerners are more closely associated with hospitality and graciousness
Jon
October 7, 2017 @ 10:23 am
Honky is most certainly a troll, but there are just as many assholes in the South as there are in the North. Southerners are only more closely related to those things in the minds of Southerners who want to feel superior.
Honky
October 7, 2017 @ 11:29 am
I don’t recall ever stating where I’m from.
jtrpdx
October 6, 2017 @ 9:23 am
Good article, Trigg. I’m not a fan of Church’s music or persona, but this performance was touching. None of that other stuff matters at a time like this.
Convict charlie
October 6, 2017 @ 9:29 am
I posted last night about it in a few groups. The world again will look to country music to heal just like after 9/11. I had referred to Alan Jackson. We will certainly deliver. Each in their own way. There was so much emotion from him and sincerity. That isn’t something you can fake.
I don’t believe in his heart he was being selfish but part of the bigger picture to tell the rest of the story. It’s tough from a third party perspective telling it in the first person. Knowing the reason he was there (sonny melton) Eric being “my artist” leaded to him being killed indirectly.
I’m kicking myself for not tuning in love that night. Ashley mcbryde had some great words also. You don’t change country music, country music changes you.
This may be a leapfrog moment for the Opry. There’s a girl in YouTube who must be a major church choir person with the name of Taylor Hendricks. This is how I discovered Ashley mcbryde. Anyways she posted a less quality version of this without the song, just the spoken word by late Wednesday night. It went viral and that’s how I heard about it. Think it had 140,000 views in 24 hours. Opry contacted YouTube and pulled the video due to copyrights. I was actually a little angry at first. Then after I watched the full version in better quality I let off a bit. Her video I saw on twitter was linked to her personal Facebook page later in the day.
G.A. Mitchell
October 9, 2017 @ 11:34 pm
I don’t know who Taylor Hendricks is, but I have stumbled across many of her videos on YouTube, starting with one she took at a show I also attended and was trying to find videos from others. She seems to regularly attend shows and have great seats/views.
RD
October 6, 2017 @ 9:32 am
I never expected to like Eric Church. He really is the best of the mainstream guys out there.
BenBen
October 6, 2017 @ 9:36 am
I think there’s a time for criticism and a time for compassion. I’m not a fan of any of these performer’s music, but I’m still a human being that cares what happens to people. We shouldn’t kick folks when their down no matter how we view their actions in the coming months. Good article as always Trig.
AT
October 6, 2017 @ 9:38 am
I was in the audience the night of Eric’s Opry performance. It was an extremely touching moment.
I’ve seen some of the performers from the Route 91 Festival recounting their stories from that night as tragedy unfolded. And some are being unfairly criticized (most notably Jason Aldean and his wife) for “making it” about themselves. We’re all humans, we all experience things, and celebrity/musician or not, we all have the right to express ourselves. And like Eric said the night of his Opry performance, “The only way I’ve ever known to fix something that’s broken is with music.”
As Eric talked about “my fans” “my crowd” etc. I didn’t feel like he was making it about him. It felt like he was making sure that fans knew that they mattered, that they belonged, that he wouldn’t be where he was without the fans.
Country Hodge Podge
October 6, 2017 @ 9:39 am
I’m curious as to if you’ve also heard Maren Morris and Vince Gill’s new song, “Dear Hate.”
Despite anyone’s feelings towards her career, it’s amazing.
JB-Chicago
October 6, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
Heard this today for the first time on……. you guessed it….. one of the few minutes a day I listen to Country radio. I cried in the car. Waiting for a review here soon?
Lisa
October 6, 2017 @ 10:09 am
I can see (and when I saw this the first time, saw how some people would maybe just see Eric making this about himself) – but I see it differently. When he said “MY fans, MY crowd” I don’t think he was so much claiming them as his and his alone. I think he was more trying to connect, or to show that he did have a connection to them. It was a three day festival – the same crowd there Friday night would have been the same people Sunday night, more or less. I understand where he is coming from, making that statement. They’re the same people that got him to where he is, just by loving him and loving his music. He had a connection to them, and wanted to show that connection to them.
I will admit I am VERY biased towards him, though. I saw him in NH two weeks ago, and again earlier this year in April. I’ve been to a LOT of concerts, since I was a kid, and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone who gives his fans his all, quite like Eric Church does.
Seak05
October 6, 2017 @ 10:26 am
Dear Hate, probably also deserves a mention here… (although not the made it about him or herself part)
Derek Sullivan
October 6, 2017 @ 10:38 am
Can I just say thank god Eric Church was part of this festival. I know I’m going to probably be proven wrong, but who else as part of that festival could have written such an amazing song and performed acoustically all alone on a stage a few days later. Eric’s songwriting and performance skills, especially when it’s just him on the stage, is amazing. I’m sure Jason Aldean’s songwriting and production team or Sam Hunt’s or Jake Owen’s team are all working on songs, but does anyone here have confidence that they would have delivered one a poignant as Eric’s.
I also think the fact that Heather Melton has been so vocal about her and her late husband being big Eric Church fans played a big role in the performance. I’m sure he was worried that members of his fan club stayed for the entire festival and Heather Melton only made him worry more than many of those causalities were fans of his.
It’s just a great song that was for all purposes written on the fly. There is another performance on Youtube called Still Stand Your Ground which is also very emotional.
Iowa
October 6, 2017 @ 10:39 am
I think these people with star power, should really take a look at themselves. Alot of them are using political motives. Things they say should not been said. They can start such horrible things. I’m just saying everybody has a voice, but use it wisely. Look what has happened. No more disrespect for are human beings, name calling and jokes. You stir up more hatred. It has to be handle different. Carefully how you speak on your shows
Benny Lee
October 6, 2017 @ 10:40 am
Alan Jackson wasn’t the one who commercialized (and politicized) 9/11. That was Toby Keith.
I’m kind of 50/50 on the guy’s act, but love this song and this moment from Eric Church.
Jeffro
October 6, 2017 @ 10:58 am
You had no choice but to write this. And true to form, you were honest . You can’t please everyone. That’s the first Eric Church song I’ve ever listened to on purpose. No question that his heart was in the right place.
Jody ball
October 6, 2017 @ 10:59 am
Being ex military I’ve seen death on the battlefield. I know what it’s like to have that question in the back of your mind. “Why not me”. I live it every day of my life since Desert Storm. I happen to be in vegas staying across the street and had just walked back to my hotel when Jason Aldean started singing. I opened my curtain in my hotel room to see what looked like another war. All I can say is that it’s different when it is on your own soil and so many defenseless people are dying. Eric Church, you speak volumes with this song. From someone thats been there, thank you!!
Justin
October 6, 2017 @ 11:07 am
This was one of the most powerful things to come out of this in my opinion.
Those two empty seats that night at the Opry sort of sum up this whole tragedy in a way. That next day there were empty seats all over the country. Empty seats at schools, empty seats at offices and at dinner tables.
I don’t think this had anything to do with me, me, me like you mentioned. The whole reason that this song and this night at the Opry were so powerful WAS about Eric Church and the couple who couldn’t be there together that night to see him perform. They wouldn’t have been at that festival if not for him and he felt that. And in a way this song represented every fan who attended that festival to see “their guy” and who didn’t make it back home.
Chad Burks
October 7, 2017 @ 6:33 pm
You just said it brother… the message in this song is the most powerful thing that’s come out of the entire situation…. Cuz the Millions that will hear this song and feel the compassion and love in it…..if only a small percentage will take it and apply it to their lives….59 can be a drop in the bucket for the potential# of lives it could save….God chose Eric Church as his vessel to get the message out..
DJ
October 6, 2017 @ 11:31 am
I suspect his fans have wondered what he had to say which probably played a part in this public, personal response, and as a celebrity who happens to write and sing I can’t think of a better way.
JohnG
October 6, 2017 @ 11:34 am
Great and honest review Trigger. I’m not a big Eric Church fan but I have a better opinion of him then the most of mainstream country. I had seen the video posted but hadn’t watched it until just before I read this. I too heard a lot of “me” as I was listening but it seemed organic and genuine and not rehearsed so I just kind of assumed that like others mentioned he was just connecting with the fans that were there. I get it. I thought his story was probably longer than necessary and he mentioned him self a lot…but it was HIM telling HIS story to HIS fans and for that reason i found it touching. Had it felt like he planned it and rehearsed his whole spiel then I think it might have felt cheap and self centered but that is just not the case. In fact it gave me a better opinion on the man. Kudos Eric Church. The song is excellent and the moment was right. And being at the Opry made it even better. Hats off to you, sir.
Chad Burks
October 7, 2017 @ 6:35 pm
Amen
Earl
October 6, 2017 @ 11:35 am
To the author of the critizing article. Get over it man, Trig or trigger. Sounds like you are a heartless guy with no compassion. Who made you the judge of a person’ s feelings.
Honky
October 6, 2017 @ 6:58 pm
What criticism? All this article did is praise the guy.
Wesley Gray
October 6, 2017 @ 12:13 pm
i won’t lie; i cried a little watching that video. i’m not a big Eric Church fan but he is still a good musician. that looked like it was really tough for him to get through and i totally understand that.
BwareDWare94
October 6, 2017 @ 12:55 pm
It’s hard to believe that Alan Jackson was critized at all for “Where We’re You When the World Stopped Turning?” That was the most well-written, touching and tangible song of that time. Some of TK’s songs were obviously marketed, and then you had fading singers like Daryl Worley releasing songs trying to relight their career. Jackson did nothing wrong, especially compared to others.
As for Church and this song: expect your eyes to water. What a song and moment.
Sherry Nichols
October 6, 2017 @ 1:07 pm
I have the up most respect for Eric Church & country music!!!! I can not imagine how any of the country music artist feel knowing that their fans who came to see them were victims of such a horrific tragedy!!! What a BEAUTIFUL tribute to the victims & their families!!! Eric Church you sir ROCK!! ❤
Diana Zenz
October 6, 2017 @ 3:38 pm
God bless Eric Church and all the victims, families and loved one of Vegas. This is why we love our Country music and Country! 💔💗
Amanda
October 6, 2017 @ 4:48 pm
Does he plan to use the proceeds from the song for the families of the victims? For those who will likely have huge medical expenses now and in the future?
Dot
October 6, 2017 @ 5:19 pm
It made me cry, and it made me like Church more. He talked about not even wanting to go on at the Opry, but seeing the lady on Anderson Cooper being interviewed who mentioned his name changed his mind. Eric should talk about how HE felt, he can’t and shouldn’t speak for the Sunday headliners, that’s their story to tell, how and when they choose to.
And while he discussed his feelings, he put the focus back on the fans, those who were there for him, and those there on Sunday. I found it eloquent and moving and very real.
NCW
October 6, 2017 @ 6:02 pm
There is no way of knowing what the opry puts on YouTube. I’ve been there several times and saw tremendous performances that I thought would make it to the opry channel and didn’t. I don’t think there was anyway of predicting this would be a viral type performance. I have seen comments about him trying to profit off of tragedy and comments saying he wasn’t sincere. I hate what the internet has become. Everyone feels there opinion matters more than everyone else’s. For a man to sit down and write a song of that caliber in a matter of hours after such a senseless tragedy should be enough for anyone that has doubts. I think all the references to himself was his emotional attachment that he has towards his fan base which was touched on in the article above.
I have always imagined that the same group of people who make negative comments about this story are the same group of people who make negative comments on every story. They think they are provoking thought and another view, a better view that is theirs and theirs alone. These are pessimistic people who always see the negative and probably spent a lot of time alone as a child without hugs. I am tired of internet “trolls”.
Take this for what it was. A moment in time after a major national tragedy that we can rally around and know that WE have the strength to move on. People from all walks of life lost theirs just doing the one thing we all love: Listening to music. This could have been any of us.
Honky
October 6, 2017 @ 6:45 pm
I can’t stand Eric Church, and this didn’t change that, and he’s not talented enough to even be discussed with Alan Jackson.
But if this song actually helps somebody cope(not sure how it could), I suppose that’s a good thing.
Tina
October 7, 2017 @ 9:44 am
You are CLEARLY an educated, narrow-minded piece of SHIT!!!!! You have NO idea what TRUE heart, talent, patriotism, compassion, empathy and MOST IMPORTANTLY the VALUE OF EVERY HUMAN LIFE, no matter what rac, religion, orientation ETC.,….Eric Church EMBODIES LOVE, PEACE, EQUALITY, FAITH ETC., ETC., ETC., There aren’t words strong enough to define him….. EDUCATE yourself ASSHOLE!!!!!! And PLEEEEASE STOP ADVOCATING HATE!!!!!!EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!!!!!!! I HOPE U REALLY DO! ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A PARENT! We can’t afford ignorant, (uneducated), biased, narrow-minded parents/people who will continue to raise the same! It’s disgusting!!!!!!!!!! EDUCATE YOURSELF ASSHOLE!!!!!! (LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR USING THIS LANGUAGE). My final words on Eric Church’s BEAUTIFUL, and from his soul song, after ACTUALLY being there a day and a half before….. THANK YOU ERIC AND THANK JESUS AND THE LORD FOR YOU AND YOUR HEALING MUSIC. GOD BLESS, and may EVERYONE EDUCATE themselves BEFORE they speak! Alot of the world’s tragedies probably could’ve been prevented or lessened if people had taken 2 minutes to REALLY educate themselves on the situation BEFORE acting! Thanks for listening, GOD BLESS ALL OF US. TINA H. FROM HOLLIS, MAINE.
Honky
October 7, 2017 @ 11:34 am
I don’t think Jesus would approve of your filthy language, Tina. And what’s up with all the caps and exclamation points? Are you trying to simulate intermittent screaming on a computer screen?
And Trigger, why was this name-calling comment allowed to pass? What happened to your rules.
Rob
October 6, 2017 @ 7:55 pm
Nicely written article, mostly in favor of EC. I think your slight criticism of him in this article was unnecessary, but you were mostly in favor, and it was nicely written.
CountryKnight
October 6, 2017 @ 8:38 pm
He has another song that relates well to the tragedy, “Still Standing Their Ground” or something similar to that. It is on YouTube. A couple years old but amazing. The man is incredible when he strips the music down to just his guitar.
dave
October 7, 2017 @ 3:03 pm
anyone who don’t think this was sincere is a fucking idiot
Virginia Church Gidaro
October 7, 2017 @ 3:41 pm
I’m proud of you Eric. I know this experience has changed you for the rest of your life. Never loose sight of your roots and the good man that you are.
MissySue
October 8, 2017 @ 4:13 am
I’ve been a fan of Eric Church for over a decade and if there is one thing I know about him, it’s that he is very intentional with his words. The MY music, MY fans, MY headlining show all punctuate the ME of the song, “Why Not Me”?. If these things were all MY life, why didn’t that terrible thing happen to me? Heather and her husband were MY fans, there to see me, so why wasn’t it me? He was introducing the song and setting up that big question… why not me?
Someguy
October 8, 2017 @ 6:57 pm
“I don’t want to be callous here, but Eric Church likes to talk about Eric Church”
You’re not wrong, but some things are better left unsaid. When people are grievously hurt or dead, just let this kinda shit go man. If you’re worried you’d take flak for not mentioning it, just take the flak anyway.